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

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk is a 2017 Newbery honor book and so it was on my must read list. The story is set in Pennsylvania farm country, which is where I grew up. The main character's name is Annabelle and she is 12 year's old. It is 1943 and Annabelle goes to school in a one room school house with her two little brothers. Everything is fine until a girl named Betty moves in with her grandparents and starts at the school with Annabelle. Betty turns out to be a mean, violent bully and Annabelle has to try and protect her brothers and herself from Betty's threats.

This story was very suspenseful. Betty is a scary, violent bully and the author does a great job at pacing the book to heighten the tension. There is another character with whom Annabelle and Betty interact. His name is Toby. He is a war veteran who lives alone in the hills and doesn't really talk much to anyone. Because of the rumors Betty spreads about Toby, when she turns up missing Toby is blamed for her disappearance. Annabelle can't believe Toby would hurt anyone, but she's not sure. She needs more time to figure it all out. You will race through the pages of this book with your heart pounding! I know I did!

Teachers this would be a great read aloud and discussion book.

Mrs. Castro

The Inquisitor's Tale: or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz

The Inquisitor's Tale: or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz is for fans of historical fiction stories. It is set in medieval times and holds very true to the religious and mythical tales that we learn about from that time period. Students will enjoy this quest story because it involves interesting characters with magical abilities. It is one of the Newbery Honor books of 2017. To be honest, I might suggest to start reading this book at the back. There you will find a section by the author that explains his research, the historical nature and setting of the book. It might help you to decide if the book is for you.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick was an exciting book to read. This historical fiction book will definitely appeal to students who love adventure and are war buffs. Philbrick writes a lively tale about Homer, whose older brother Harold is illegally sworn into the Union Army by their crabby Uncle. Homer runs away to find his brother and bring him home. I really like Homer's personality. He is quite the storyteller and it's funny when he misleads the adults he encounters on his quest. As entertaining as this book was, it actually takes the Civil War battle scenes to an intense level. Be prepared to have your heart gallop along for the ride!                                                                                                                                    
Reviewed by Mrs. Castro                                                                                                                    

El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo by Cece Bell is about a girl named Cece who became deaf. She was always lonely at school. Cece also had to wear hearing aids that make her feel different. I think you should read this book, it's very inspiring.

El Deafo reminds me of my friends deaf cat .It reminds me of Buddy because he's just like Cece. He's just like Cece because he's deaf. I feel very bad for Buddy and Cece. This is why I like the book, El Deafo.

By #Unstoppable  Princess

El Deafo by Cece Bell is a graphic novel and a Newbery Honor book.  I am highly recommending this book to teachers and students.  It is a great book to help us celebrate our differences.  The author is an author/illustrator and this is her life story, so it is in the Biography section of the library.  I have included a link to a youtube video by the author promoting her book and telling a little about herself.

As a young child Cece gets sick, and as a result of that illness, loses her hearing.  She has to wear large hearing aids and hates how they look and how they make her feel different.  El Deafo is a character that Cece creates in her imagination to help her deal with frustrating situations she faces because of her hearing problems.  It is hard for Cece to make friends and she is lonely much of the time.  Read El Deafo and learn how Cece manages to get along in school and turn her difference into a super power. El Deafo is a 2016 RICBA nominee.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

El Deafo by Cece Bell is about a girl named Cece Bell. She is just a regular girl with a very creative imagination until her world is turned upside down. She is deaf and she must wear an FM and she has some funny moments with it, like when she heard her teacher going to the bathroom.  She calls herself El Deafo a superhero and she fights crime, but only in her mind. Will she make it through the sixth grade? Read it to find out.

I thought the book was really cool and I really liked it. I think you should read it too. It is a really nice book. This book is so much like my life. I am hard of hearing and I wear an FM like her, but mine is more advanced. So, for example, mine is small and hard to see but her’s is a big box on her chest and it was made in the 1970’s.  Except  for the part where mine just recently broke, they are fixing it now but luckily I got a replacement. If you read this book you would understand but if you have not then you should read it NOW! It is a super duper great book and Have Fun Reading!

Reviewed by Doggie G

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson

I am reading my way through the 2015 Award books.  The first one I am reviewing is a Newbery Honor book by Jaqueline Woodson, called Brown Girl Dreaming.  I have always loved Ms. Woodson's books and her writing style.  Some of my fiction favorites are Locomotion and Feathers, and a picture book entitled, The Other Side.  She is an extremely gifted poet and with minimal, beautiful text she takes complex situations and makes you see them and understand her point of view.  Brown Girl Dreaming is Ms. Woodson's memoir, so it will be found in the biography section of the library.  In the book, Jacqueline describes her life as a little girl.  She introduces you to the events and important family members that loved her and shaped the person she became.  She does all of this through powerful poetry.

This would be a great read aloud for teachers that want to discuss poetry, memoirs, and race relations in the United States.  You will be impressed by the beautiful style of Woodson's writing, and who knows, maybe your students will be inspired too!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes is my new favorite book.  I just finished it and would highly recommend this 2014 Newbery Honor book as a read aloud for all second grade teachers.  I've read many books by Kevin Henkes and he delivers yet again with this sweet story about a little boy who is just beginning his second grade school year.  Written with depth of character and understanding of children we follow Billy through his year at school and learn quickly to love the characters that people his world; Mama, Papa, his sister Sal and his teacher Ms Silver.  Billy's problems are the kind every second grader can relate to, from his know-it-all classmate to his fear of public speaking, but the quiet, real way his worries are addressed by Henkes is masterful storytelling.  Once heard, you will not forget the voice of Billy Miller.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Doll Bones by Holly Black

Doll Bones by Holly Black is one of the 2014 Newbery Honor books and a wonderfully creepy ghost story.  I loved this book.  I'm a big fan of ghost stories and this is a well told tale with plenty of adventure and suspense. The book is about three friends, Poppy, Alice and Zach.  The three enjoy playing an imaginative storytelling game together, but Zach's father feels that Zach is too old for this now that he is in middle school and tries to put an end to his play.  In their imaginative game, a china doll in Poppy's mother's cabinet plays the role of a sinister queen.  The creepy looking doll becomes the center of the story when Poppy dreams that the doll is possessed by a young girl and needs to be buried so that the ghost can rest.  Until it is buried, Poppy warns that the ghost will haunt the three friends.  Is there truth to Poppy's assertions, or is Poppy just trying to get Zach to play the game again?  Zach doesn't know what to believe until...  Yeah, you know, read it and find out.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The book “Doll Bones” by Holly Black is a really awesome book.  There are three friends who like to play with action figures, and there is a bone china doll in a cabinet which they pretend is a glass tower when they are playing.  Then one night Poppy has a dream of the doll before it was a china doll.  Read the book to find out their epic journey.      

I really like the book “Doll Bones”.  I can relate to it because, I like to have adventures like Poppy, Zach, and Alice.  Also, the doll was really creepy but when other people read the book they might think it’s creepy and scary but I like slightly scary books.  

Review by IS

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

Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz

Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz is one of the 2013 Newbery Honor Books.  I would call this a "dark" book, best for sixth grade readers.  Two very poor, orphaned children named Lizzie Rose and Parsefall are taken in and taught how to work puppets by a man named Grisini.  They go to the home of a rich girl named Clara Wintermute to perform a puppet show for her birthday party.  Shortly after the party, Clara is missing.  Although Grisini's apartment is searched, there is no sign of Clara.  Parsefall and Lizzie Rose become involved in the search for Clara and make a surprising discovery on her whereabouts.  Can they save her before it's too late?   I love books about magic and evil witches.  This book is a page turner and definitely deserves it's place as one of the year's best books.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

One of this year's Newbery Honor books, Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage is a great mystery.  The story is about a young girl named Mo, short for Moses because she was found as a baby floating on a river after a hurricane.  Luckily, she is taken in by Miss Lana and the Colonel, a man who lost his memory due to a car accident during the hurricane.  She spends her time looking for her "Upstream Mother", but is side-tracked from her search when a stranger turns up at her family's diner.  The stranger is Detective Starr, who is trying to solve a murder that happened in a nearby town.  Unfortunately, the next person that is murdered is Mr. Jesse, a patron of the diner, and now the story really starts rolling.  Read along as Mo and her best friend Dale start gathering clues to help solve the mystery and protect their families from danger.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage is an amazing book! It is about two kids named Dale and Mo. Just on an average day for the two kids they figure out that someone in their small town in North Carolina has been murdered. As they try to figure out who the murderer is, a mysterious man comes to solve the murder mystery. Read the book to find out who will really solve the crime first. I haven't really read lots of mystery books but my mom and I sometimes watch mystery shows and they kind of remind me of this book, because of the mysterious murders.

What I really like about the book is you don't know what is going to happen next. At one moment you may think that you know who the murderer is, but the next thing that happens may change your guess about who is the murderer. Once you read this book you'll know why I love it so much!    

Reviewed By: Sunset Baller

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis is a winner of the Coretta Scott King award and a 2008 Newbery Honor book.  This story has a great mix of adventure, danger, and heart.  Elijah is an eleven year old boy living in Canada.  He was born in Canada after his parents fled from America to escape slavery.  Although he's never known what it was like to live like a slave, the adults who surround him all carry the weight of their past.  Elijah describes himself as a "fragile" boy.  He often runs into the woods hollering if something frightens him.  Before the story is over you will learn how Elijah must find his courage in order to help his friends and play his own part in helping someone find freedom.

Christopher Curtis does a great job bringing Elijah and his family to life.  As a reader, I really cared about what would happen to Elijah.  I found myself frightened for him, and even moved to tears as Elijah struggles to grow up and be brave.  If you enjoy historical fiction and adventure, you should check this one out!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin is one of the 2012 Newbery honor books.  It has illustrations that remind me of the Hugo Cabret book.  For those of you looking for a quick read, this is a good one.  The book takes place in Russia during the time of Stalin.  This was a very dangerous time to live in Russia when many people were locked up and executed by the government.  Sasha, the boy in the story has to face life without a mother, and the imprisonment of his father.  The story is very gripping and moves the reader quickly through Sasha's tough and frightening times.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai is one of the 2012 Newbery Award Honor books.  (It is a very fast read, for those of you trying to finish your 25 books this year!)  It is written in a poetry format.  It is a fiction book, but the story line follows the author's own life story pretty closely.  In the book, the main character is a young girl growing up in Saigon, during the Vietnam war.  She ends up making it out safely with her mother and brothers, to end up living in Alabama.  The story lets you feel how difficult it would be to move from one country to another, be the new kid in school, and the first Asian the other children had ever seen.  There is a definite bullying theme that runs throughout the book.  Read it to find out how the character survives and adapts to her new home.

Reviewed by Mrs. C.

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Savvy by Ingrid Law is an exciting, suspenseful, and fantastic book.  The setting is Hebron, in the middle of Nebraska and Kansas.  It’s a book about a magical power you obtain when you are thirteen, right on your birthday.  A girl named Mibs, her real name is Mississippi, has a birthday in a couple of days, so she will get her Savvy.  But her father got in a car accident and he is not awakening.  What will happen next?  Will her father survive the collision? I recommend this book for grades 4^th through 6^th .  This book can be found in your school library.

Reviewed by CChipcookies1   

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

In The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, Ranger is a bloodhound that was abused by a cruel man named Gar Face.  I don’t recommend this to fourth graders because it has cruelty to animals.  Some fifth and sixth graders might be able to read it.  A cat comes to the underneath and has kittens.  The momma cat was drowned by Gar Face.   A kitten was lost and the other cat is with Ranger.  One time I was reading it and pictured my pets in such a cruel place.  Did the stranded cat come home?  Was Ranger saved by the cats?  Find out in THE UNDERNEATH.

Reviewed by Magnet 

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan was one of the 2003 Newbery Honor books.  At the start of school, a lot of students like to read books about school.  This book is about a boy from RI named Jake.  He has been kicked out of every school in the state because of his behavior.  His grandfather gets him into a school in North Carolina that is unlike any he has ever been in before.  Read this book and find out what happens when Jake meets the Applewhite family.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Turtle in Paradise is one of the 2011 Newbery honor winners.  The author also wrote two other books that received Newbery honors, Our Only May Amelia and Penny from Heaven.  The setting for the book is Key West in Florida during the depression.  Turtle's mom is a housekeeper and when she gets a job with a woman who doesn't like children, she chooses to send her daughter Turtle to stay with her sister, Turtle's aunt. 

I think I liked this book because of Turtle's character.  She's a tough little girl, who lives in a tough world.  But true to her name, she has a soft inside.  This is really a book about family; cousins, aunts and uncles, grandmothers, mothers and fathers.  Turtle has to deal with all of them, and all of the complications that stem from family relationships.  Read this book and I guarantee you'll find yourself cheering for Turtle.

If you would like to listen to a short excerpt from this book, click on the link for my podcast Podcast of Turtle in Paradise  hosted at Podomatic.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was the Kids Read Across Rhode Island book in 2010 and Ms. Lin, the author was at the State House in Providence.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin is a Newberry Honor Book of 2010, and one of the Rhode Island Children Book nominees.  Grace Lin is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, RI.  Her book is a story of a quest.  As her main character, Minli journeys in search of an answer to her family's problems, she meets magical creatures and hears many stories.  You'll enjoy going with Minli and learning the answer to her question.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

I thought this was a wonderful book that would appeal to many of my female readers.  It's about a young girl who lived in the Southern part of the United States at a time when women were treated differently then men.  Calpurnia is expected to learn how to sew, and cook, and knit.  But what she really wants to learn about is the natural world around her.  She loves science!  Luckily her grandfather sees her for who she is, and helps her to explore their similar interests.