Michael Vey: Hunt for Jade Dragon by Richard Paul Evan

Michael Vey: Hunt for Jade Dragon by Richard Paul Evans is about the leader of the Electroclan. He has electric powers that always get stronger. Like me, Michael has Tourette's Syndrome. The Electroclan begin their adventure on Timepiece Ranch but end in war. Remember, any kid can be a successful leader!  If you read it I hope you enjoy!

Review by Drivenviper82

Almost Home by Joan Bauer

Almost Home By Joan Bauer is a book about a dog that is unwanted and homeless. A girl, Sugar, is wandering around with her mother, Reba. Sugar gets handed a puppy from a man running across town. He said that he did not want the dog so he gave it to Sugar. Sugar's father, Mr. Leeland, left her and her mother to be homeless. Mr. Leeland was a money gambler and left Reba to pay off his debts. Soon after, they are kicked out of their home. Sugar and her puppy, Shush, go into a foster home while Reba is out looking for something better for them. 

My connections to this book are that I also have a puppy. When I was very little, I also had a dad that left me. If you read this book you might get sad in the beginning, although it gets way happier. Read this, you won’t regret it!

     Reviewed by: Amaya 

“Home isn`t always a place you picture in your mind, home is a place in your heart.”  That’s what Sugar Mae Cole said after all she had been through, from her father leaving to her being homeless. In the story Almost Home by Joan Bauer, Mr.Leeland, Sugar`s father had been a money gambler and left Sugar and her mother, Reba alone to pay his debts. Soon enough they are kicked out of their home and become newly homeless. Sugar and her puppy Shush, go to a foster home while Reba attempts to make the situation better. Will Sugar and Reba find their home or has it been here all along? This story may be sad, but I really enjoyed the book. Not only does it tell a story, but it also encourages people to help the homeless. Think about it, then run, do not walk to your nearest library and take out this book today. You won`t regret it!

Reviewed by MICHYMEOWMEOW101

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K Rowling

If you thought Harry Potter was done then you were wrong. If you like things like adventure, shockers, magic, and fantasy then Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K Rowling, is your book and movie.

In this book, Harry gets into the Triwizard Tournament where he has to face 3 deadly and epic challenges that could get him killed ( But of course what Harry Potter book and movie do not have things that could get Harry killed? ) with his 3 other challengers Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum, and Cedric Diggory.

This is the longest Harry Potter out of the series ( because there are 37 chapters and 735 pages). I read this Harry Potter book and man was it worth it. I feel like the Harry Potter books make the magic that everyone loves and puts all of that into books. So, what I like about this book is that it has everything magic and comedy.

By Luna Lovegood 

Do you like blood chilling, bone tickling, fantasy stories?  Then you will love Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K Rowling!  In this amazing book the great trio of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley are once again at Hogwarts.  It’s not safe though… The Triwizard Tournament has started again, with more protection than ever.  Nothing was supposed to go wrong, yet somehow Harry got entered into the tournament.  Was this just a coincidence or was something more sinister taking place?  All throughout the story when all seems well, problems arise. 

The book is teeming with excitement, action, suspense, sadness, and more.  People all around the world can relate to Harry because people thought he was doing something to show off, but he really wasn’t.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an exciting story full of action, adventure, and almost unbearable suspense.  So why don’t you read the book yourself.  Trust me you won’t be sorry. 

Reviewd by HotChickenBeast 

I reviewed this book because Harry Potter is active and he will always fight for the good guys. He has bravery and quick thinking so he would be good at being a leader. He can sometimes be impulsive and he has issues with authority. He is also a clutch in a crisis. My rating of the book is 10 out of 10, though if you don’t like adventures and magic this would not be good for you.

Weasley Wizard Wheezes

   

The Runaway King by Jennifer Nielsen

“I had arrived early for my own assassination.” That is the first sentence in The Runaway King by Jennifer Nielsen. After Jaron returns to Carthya he has a choice. He has ten days to surrender, or the pirates will destroy Carthya. That is the threat Jaron gets from Roden, who was once Jaron’s Friend, but now is his enemy. Jaron has to change back to Sage and leave the throne, join the pirates, and save the kingdom.

                How will Jaron save the Kingdom?

                Will Carthya Live?

                Read to find out! It is a real Adventure!

Reviewed by -NyanMEOWMEOW!

You Only Die Twice by Dan Gutman

If you like adventurous fiction you will love this book! This book can be scary and exciting. You Only Die Twice by Dan Gutman is a book about the main characters, Coke and Pepsi. They travel in an RV around the world for their summer vacation. The problem is Mr. Warsaw (their enemy) is getting married to Coke and Pepsi’s aunt.  Mr. Warsaw wants to get revenge on the kids by killing them, but the kids brought bombs and weapons to defend themselves. Mr. Warsaw disguises himself so he can fit in and the kids can’t see who he is.  I think the author’s message in the book is to never give up and always follow your dreams.  This book reminds me of Malala and when she never gave up on her dream of going to school. Why do you think they call it ``You Only Die Twice’’?  Well, if you want to know, you have to read the book.

Reviewed by: Omgsoftball

Asylum by Madeline Roux

Asylum, by Madeline Roux, is a wonderfully scary book. Dan, Abby, and Jordan meet each other at a summer program at New Hampshire College, but unfortunately, the dorms are being redone. The replacement dorms are in an old, abandoned asylum called Brookline. Abby decides to go exploring in the closed off main office and drags the boys with her. This is where the mystery starts to unfold. What happens next I shall not tell you, you must read the book to find out.

I guarantee that you will love the photos the author includes. They add a more realistic feel to the book. The photos make the book scarier just like Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. If you love scary mystery books you will love this book.  (This book is not in our school library.  It is recommended for grades 7-10, but if you check with your parents you can get it at the public library.)

Reviewed by smarticles_t

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff is based on the story of Rumpelstiltskin.  What a wonderful spin on a well known tale.  I loved the characters in this magical 2015 Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee.   The author did a great job of adding a fresh perspective to the story.  I especially liked the gnomes and trolls.  I found it very amusing to imagine little gnomes running around delivering memorized messages to people, kind of like text messages sent by person.  A totally fun and surprisingly touching story of young Rump trying to find the rest of his name.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool is one of the 2015 Rhode Island Children Book Award Nominees.  Vanderpool has also written Moon Over Manifest, a Newbery Award book.   Navigating Early is a true adventure story that takes place in the mountains of Maine.  In Vanderpool's story, her character, Early Auden is fascinated with the story that the number pi (3.14...) tells him, about a boy named Pi.  When Jack Baker moves to Maine from Kansas, to attend a boarding school for boys after his mother's death, Early and Jack become friends.  Both of the boys have had to face the loss of beloved family members, Jack's mother, and Early's brother.  The story of Pi is set within the story of Early and Jack.  Early and Jack set out on a quest together to search for Pi, who is missing.  The quest is a dangerous one.  The boys will be threatened by frightening gun-toting men, hunted by dogs,  and faced with a huge bear.  Can the boys survive the wilderness and find what they have lost?  Read Navigating Early to decide if you want to vote for it in February of 2015.

At the end of the story the author references Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant: A Memoir by Daniel Tammet.  I was glad that I had already read this book and remember how fascinated I was by the author, who saw numbers in colors and sizes and shapes, just like Early Auden.   If you are interested in understanding someone who thinks differently than you, you can listen to Daniel Tammet giving a talk about how he sees numbers and words.  He shows paintings that express how numbers, including pi, look to him.

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

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein was a delightful romp of the imagination.  Just in case you don't recognize the author Chris Grabenstein, he is the coauthor of I Funny, (a book that I can't seem to keep on the library shelf!)  Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library was chosen as the Kids Reading Across Rhode Island book for 2014.

Kyle Keeley and his friends enter an essay contest at school to win an overnight stay at the brand new library in their town, built by an accomplished game-maker Mr. Lemoncello.  Once inside the library, they are challenged to find a way out, but not by the doors they entered.  The library was built at the site of an old bank building, and the clues left by Mr. Lemoncello's band of accomplices play out like a giant board/video game.  Of course every story is best if there is an antagonist, and not everybody is ready to play nice.  If you like puzzles, detective stories and mysteries, you'll enjoy trying to figure out the picture puzzles in this book. As added fun, you'll come away with a list of great reads suggested by the zany Mr. Lemoncello, so keep a paper and pencil handy!

Librarians might enjoy Escape as a read aloud to see how many of the title and author references their students can get.  Chris Grabenstein is definitely tipping his hat to our profession with this one!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro