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

 

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

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!!

Dork Diaries, Tales from a Not-so-Graceful Ice Princess by Rachel Renee Russell

Dork Diaries, Tales from a Not-so-Graceful Ice Princess by Rachel Renee Russell is really dramatic and funny. Nikki’s friend Brian asked her to come to his party and all the tables start turning when Nikki has to learn how to skate. It’s going to be a struggle. Nikki’s little sister Brianna makes things worse. If you want to know what’s going to  happen, read this amazing book!

I really connected to this book because I think that Rachel Renee Russell’s books are really great and exciting to read! It made me smile and laugh and I think anyone who read it would feel the same way. She’s my favorite book author.                                                                                                                 

Review By:  Dorkdiarie101

Dork Diaries: tales from a not-so-perfect pet sitter by Rachel Renee Russell

Dork Diaries: tales from a not-so-perfect pet sitter is by Rachel Renee Russell. My book is about a girl who is named Nikki. She gets bullied by Mackenzie Hochstetter. Mackenzie is a pitch perfect designer. Nikki has a crush on a boy named Brandon. Every time she tries to get him to be her boyfriend she gets sick. . One day she found a box with a dog in it. She decided to take the dog. The dog’s name is Daisy. Daisy the dog had puppies. The mom will only let her have one. Which  dog will she choose ???

I like Dork diaries. The book is cool and it pulls you in as you read. Read the whole series, it changes your life.

Reviewed by AgeryKitty1777

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

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

In Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson, Astrid and her best friend Nicole did everything together, until one summer Astrid’s mom took Astrid and Nicole to a roller derby game. Astrid fell in love with roller derby. That summer Astrid just assumed that she and Nicole would go to roller derby camp together, but she had to find out from her enemy, Rachel that Nicole signed up for dance camp instead. Astrid has a problem, Nicole’s mom was supposed to give Astrid a ride to roller derby camp all the way across town. Want to find out how Astrid finds a solution? I suggest you read the book. I related to this book because the same thing that happened to Astrid has happened to me many times. Well, besides the, “couldn’t find a ride part”. Astrid lost a friend and gained an enemy. I have many best friends and I wouldn't say I have any enemies. I hope you really enjoy the book. Reviewed by, Soccergirl1303101

Today I will be telling you about Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson. It is based on roller skating and it is a Newbery honor award book. I like this book because I like roller skating. The problem in the book is the main character can’t get a ride to roller derby. Will she get a ride? Read the book to find out.

Review by Lovelobster101

In Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson, Astrid is Roller Girl. One day she went to a roller derby game with her friend Nicole. Astrid loved the way it looked. After the game was over Astrid saw a paper that said Roller Derby Camp. Astrid wanted to join and her mom said it was okay, but Nicole wanted to go to dance camp. So Astrid started going to Roller Derby camp and Nicole did not. Astrid's mom thought that Nicole's mom was giving her a ride to camp, but she was not. Also Astrid is not good at roller derby. Will she give up? Will she walk to practice? You will have to read the book to find out.

    This book relates to my life. In the book, Astrid feels like her bff doesn't like her. Also, she loves a sport but she is not good at it. In my life I feel like my friend does not like me as much as she used to. Also, I feel like I am not good at the sport I play.  In the story Astrid gets new friends and I am making new friends too. Astrid and I have a lot in common.

Review by HopeGrace

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Smile by Raina Telgemeier is a book about a young girl named Raina. She takes a great fall and her two front teeth fall out. She ends up having to get braces, a retainer, and headgear. She gets her braces and ends up getting made fun of so then she doesn't want to go to school. After she gets made fun of, she ends up getting a retainer that makes her look like she has normal teeth again. She likes it a lot more because she looks normal and she can eat. Raina also likes this guy named Sam. He was in 6th grade when she was in 7th. And after that she gets made fun of for liking a 6th grader. There was so much going on. This is why I liked this book.
The reason I liked this book was because I have to get braces myself in like 2 months. This book is a good book to me because it had a very interesting ending and beginning. I also liked this book because Raina has a younger sister and she is always fighting with her. She always has an opinion on everything and her sister gets mad a lot. This was a great book to review. By;Irish_99_tik tok


Smile by Raina Telgemeier is a really good book. My favorite part was when Raina got to have all her teeth back. Raina was running, then she trips and loses her 2 front teeth. She goes through a lot of trouble trying to learn how to live without 2 front teeth. She goes through headgear, braces and even fake teeth, and a lot of visits to the dentist. Then at the end of the book, she gets to have her 2 front teeth back. Even though they’re fake, it looks like they're real. For the first time in a long time she finally likes her teeth. The reason why Smile is one of my favorite books is because it reminds me of my favorite movie which is Zootopia. Smile teaches a lesson, it doesn't matter what other people say or think. Smile is also just a really good book. I love how much detail is in it and I loved reading it. It makes you want to read more and more. Smile is just a wonderful book and I really think you should read it, but just warning you, it's a really good book.
Reviewed by LOVE SMILE

The book I will review for the blog is Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Raina lost her front teeth after girl scouts. She’s sad because it hurt and she’s embarrassed. She gets teeth pulled down, but they’re only half way, so it looks like they are still growing in. Read the book to find out what happens next. I like this book because I’m going to have to get braces soon. I have also lost three teeth and they haven’t grown in yet. This is a graphic novel with colorful pictures. They are also funny. Review by KatoJuneBugs

The book Smile by Raina Telgemeier is about Raina. Raina has a bad accident and damages her two front teeth. She has to live through middle school, being bullied by her friends because of her teeth. But in high school she stands up for herself and makes a new friend.  Raina has so much drama going through her life. Will she resolve it all?     

I can relate to this book because it reminds me of trying to fit in and getting along with your friends. I really liked this book because it was funny and sad but amazing. I liked the part when Raina stood up for herself when her friends were bullying her. It made me feel happy when I read it. That is why I like it so much.

Reviewed by 1forest1

The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone

In The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone, During World War II, 11 year old Felicity gets dropped off with her father’s family. Her uncle, granny, and aunt are very secretive with Felicity. They receive letters from her dad postmarked from Portugal, and there is someone referred to as Captain Derek in a secret room upstairs. Out of curiosity, Felicity joins forces with her cousin to find the answers to these mysteries.

This book is great for people who enjoy books about historical events. Also for people who enjoy a bit of mystery too. Personally I’m not really interested in Historical fiction books, but this book is an exception. Now that I’ve read this I hope to read more in the future. I hope you choose to read this amazing book as well!

~LivingTheTrashLife

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All by Rachel Renee Russell

Dork Diaries, tales from a not-so-smart miss know it all by Rachel Renee Russell is a book about a girl named Nikki. She was being bullied by a girl named Mackenzie. A while later they all had to visit different schools for a week to see what it was like. Nikki went to this school and there was a girl named Taffy. At the time, Taffy was very nice and annoying and loved to take selfies. Later Nikki saw her frenemy Mackenzie. Mackenzie had two annoying people who Nikki called bullies. Nikki's annoying, pretending-to-be-nice-friend Taffy, became a really big bully. Nikki wished she was with her two friends and her crush, but instead she got seperated into a different school. Will Nikki become friends with her frenemy? Will she ever find out why Mackenzie is a bully? Will Nikki get back at Taffy? I like Dork Diaries. I read them all the time. I chose Dork Diaries because they are easy to read, interesting, and also funny. These books also show and tell you why not to bully and what the consequences are. Reviewed by scarykitty1478 

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All is by Rachel Renee Russell. If you're a girl who likes to read about middle school, or reading diaries, or even writing a diary, then Dork Diaries would be a good book for you to read. There's a girl named Nikki Maxwell, she writes a diary about what’s been happening in her life through middle school and her horrible experiences with MacKenzie Hollister and her friends. Nikki has two best friends named Chloe and Zoe who help her through these experiences with Brandon (her crush) and MacKenzie. When Nikki wants to sign up for a part in writing the school newspaper with Brandon, a few things hold her back, including MacKenzie. If you want to find out what the problems were and how she dealt with them you're going to have to read and find out!

I personally liked this book because when I read the first book I had no idea what it was going to be about. I kept on reading to the end of Dork Diaries and I liked these books, because the books that I’ve read so far have been all happy endings. Also the author describes the place and what happened to Nikki so well it feels like you're actually there with her. If you read, or like Diary of A Wimpy Kid books, the Dork Diaries books are very similar.I really liked this book and I suggest you also read it if you're interested in these types of books!

Reviewed by Cupcakes and donuts