Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobson

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobson is a gripping story about a boy named Jack, who is left at a campground in Maine by his mother.  He attempts to make it home to Boston by himself, and keeps the fact that his mother is gone a secret.  Two big problems are that he's only eleven years old and the campground is three states away from his home.  How will he survive with no place to sleep, no food, almost no money, and no adult to take care of him? I felt so sorry for Jack as I read this story and was touched by the love and understanding he had for his mother and her "spinning" problems.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Don’t Hurt Laurie by Willo Davis Roberts

The book Don’t Hurt Laurie is about a girl named Laurie being abused by her mother.  It is realistic fiction and the main characters are Laurie and her mom Annabelle.  The theme of the book is child abuse and the story takes place at her house and school even though she moves all the time.  I think the author’s message is to inform you that this stuff really happens.  The mood of the book is sad but I would definitely recommend it.  I made a connection in knowing that, this stuff happens everyday.  The author has written other books such as Hostage and Kidnapped.  The author is Willo Davis Roberts and she is an amazing writer.  If you read the book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Reviewed by Foreverlove_XOXO

Don’t Hurt Laurie is about a girl who has a very abusive mother named Annabelle.  It’s realistic fiction because it could happen.  Laurie's mother only hits her when there are no witnesses.  Annabelle marries a guy named Jack, Laurie’s stepfather.  She also has a brother named Tim and a sister named Shelly.  One day Annabelle comes home from the hospital and gets mad and hits Laurie.  Tim yells and tells her to stop.  She hits Tim throughout the story.  Annabelle does injure Laurie, but never hurts Jack's kids.  What will the kids do?

Reviewed by Barbie_xoxo

Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer

The series of Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer is about the life of a billionaire kid.  Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox faces a dilemma; his mom has to go to the hospital because of an internal organ eating disease.   I can’t recall the name of the disease.  (I really don’t get how she gets the sickness or if it is real, but otherwise just go with it).  Before his mom got sick, he went to Ireland where he met a fairy and captured it.  He was with his friends (Holly and Butler, the security guard).  They try to help do whatever they can to find a cure.  This reminds me of the time my mom came down with the flu.  She got better but it did take a while.   I would recommend this book to anyone that likes fiction, or if you like weird and awesome young adult books.

Reviewed by Deathninja

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is a Newbery Honor Book for 2010.  The story takes place in 1968 during a time in America's history when African Americans were demanding equal rights.  But the book is mostly about family.  Three young girls are put on a plane in New York by their father to go to California, where he wants them to get to know their mother.  She left them when they were very young and they have grown up without a mother.  Unfortunately when they get to California, their poet mother Cecile doesn't seem to have any interest in getting to know them.  She sends them off to a daily summer camp with Black Panthers, a revolutionary group that was active in the Civil Rights Movement.  You will have to read the book to find out how the summer brings about changes in the girls and their mother.