Middle School: Save Rafe by James Patterson

Middle School: Save Rafe by James Patterson is a great story for people who like realistic fiction. Rafe was at a school in the city, but the school is now closing. So he has to try to get back into his old school. He got kicked out of the old school because he doesn’t follow the rules. He has to go to this camp. In the camp it is really hard to pass. If he passes he will get back into the school. When he goes to talk to the principal he realizes that the old principal retired and the rude secretary is now the new principal. Plus, her sister is now the secretary. Her sister is also rude. Rafe’s luck is bad. So if you want to know more, then go read the book. If you don’t believe me, then read all the other books in the series. Just see how bad Rafe’s luck really is.                                                                           

Middle School: Save Rafe reminded me of the book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid because in that book a kid named Greg also has very bad luck. It is a series just like Middle School. I think that both books are very good.

Reviewed by Durantula

Brother From a Box by Evan Khulman

Brother From a Box by Evan Khulman  is a great book, especially if you're looking for a good adventure story with humor. Either way this story is about a boy named Matt, who gets a robot shipped from France that looks almost exactly like him. Matt needs his robot brother Norman, which is what Matt named the robot, to be able to fit in like the rest of the kids. Matt wants him to go to school, do normal things and speak English, not French like Norman first did. But there are a few issues, Matt and Norman encounter many problems as they try to fit in. When Matt seems to look out for his robot brother Norman, this reminds me of how I look out for my brother. Also this reminds me of when a new kid goes into a new school and has to try to fit in with the other kids in his school. I would suggest you read this book. It is a fun read and I enjoyed reading it. I hope you do as well.

Reviewed by: Right Twix or Left Twix

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff is a very moving book. The main character, Albie is a boy in fifth grade who is going through a tough time in his life. He has to start at a new school and he feels like he is just not good enough at anything. He has a lot of pressure on him to try and do better, but no matter how hard he tries it is always just almost good enough. My heart went out to the character of Albie. The author does a great job at making him a real person to the reader. When Albie is sad or frustrated, you are sad for him. When he is being bullied by the kids in his class, you are angry on his behalf. Fortunately, he has some true friends and people in his life that help him. This book would make a great teacher read aloud. Destined to generate discussions and to develop empathy in your students. One of the RICBA nominees for 2016.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro.

The Swift Boys and Me by Kody Keplinger

The Swift Boys and Me by Kody Keplinger is a RICBA nominee for 2016.  It is a very touching story of a young girl named Nola and her three neighbors Brian, Canaan, and Kevin Swift. Right at the beginning of the summer, Nola witnesses Mr. Swift, the boys' father driving away from the duplex where they live. Nola soon finds out something is very wrong next door. Nola expects the summer to be filled with fun with her three best friends, just like every summer she can remember. But this summer is a turning point in all of their lives, one where the children get caught up in problems they can't control.

I fell in love with the tragic story of Nola and Canaan. It is the story of a childhood romance, with raw emotions and true feelings, a real tearjerker. Keplinger does a terrific job giving her characters voice. When you finish the book you will feel like all the kids in the neighborhood are people you know and care about.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Swift Boys and Me by Kody Keplinger is a great story of a girl named Nola and her neighbors Brian, Canaan, and Kevin Swift and what they go through one summer. One night, Nola sees Mr. Swift ( the boy’s father)  drive away from their house. Everyone wasn't quite sure if he was ever coming back. But Nola discovers something that everyone else doesn't know. While her neighbors deal with their own problem, Nola has to deal with all sorts of new things happening in her life. Read this story to find out more!

I thought this book was awesome and I enjoyed reading this story very much! I recommend this book for grades 4-6. I love the author’s type of writing style too! The characters in this book remind me very much of other characters I have read about before, such as the main characters in Drama. If you haven’t read this book, you will enjoy it as much as I did!

Reviewed By: bubblegum-yum

The Swift Boys and Me by Kody Keplinger is a very heartwarming and emotional story about a girl named Nola who lives in a duplex with three boys named Kevin, Brian, and Cannan. One morning she witnesses their father drive away and never come back. Turns out the wave he gave her was a bigger goodbye than the boys ever got.

     I loved this story. There were ups, downs, sad and funny, but most of all touching moments. This book is great for any 6th or 7th grader. My favorite part was when Nola, Kevin, and Cannan snuck into their neighbor's yard and jumped on his trampoline without asking and used Kevin as a lookout! This book reminds me of when me and my friend got in a big fight and didn’t talk for a while but we are best friends now. Go check out this book for an amazing experience you'll never forget!

Reviewed by Cupcake _22

The Swift Boys & Me by Kody Keplinger is about a girl named Nola and the boys that live next door.  Nola tries to solve a problem to get her and the boys to be friends again and also to try to fix everything with their dad. There was some trouble with the boys. One of them is  sleeping at his friend’s house. One of the other brothers is being friends with the boys that bully Nola. Will he realize that he’s wrong and stand up for her against the bullies? Will he apologise for being mean to Nola and will she still be mad at him? Follow Nola on the amazing journey to get her friend’s dad back and face many crazy challenges!

It is a great book with a bunch of topics; drama, bullying, sadness, happiness. But it kind of is like real life because bullies, drama, feelings, sadness, and happiness are all a part of a regular life. This reminds me of a time me and a friend got into a fight. I think this is a good book for 4-6th graders because some people deal with this stuff every day.

Reviewed by dance star 13

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier is a book that may just come back to haunt you. It is one of the 2016 RICBA nominees. The author also wrote Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes. The Night Gardener is the story of Molly and Kip, two Irish children adrift in England. Molly, as the older sibling feels the responsibility of taking care of her disabled younger brother. She has found work for them at the home of the Windsors, Molly will work as a maid and Kip as the gardener. What they find when they get to the Windsor home is not what they expected. The Windsor family members are pale and gaunt. There seems to be something wrong with them. A giant tree grows next to the house and it's roots are everywhere, even in the very walls of the house. Is the tree magic? Is it good or evil? Late at night, when you're trying to sleep and you hear the rustle of leaves on the wind you'll think of this book. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Another Day As Emily by Eileen Spinelli

Another Day As Emily by Eileen Spinelli is a sweet little book for third grade and up. We are introduced to Suzy and her family through Spinelli's use of simple poetic language. Much of the book is filled with the day to day happenings of a young girl in a small town. Suzy loves to read, she loves to ride her bike and she loves baseball. But of course a book isn't a story unless there is a problem, so when Suzy feels left out and jealous of her little brother Parker she attempts to grab the attention of her friends and family in an unusual way. Teachers please note, this book would serve as a great introduction to poetry and is a 2016 RICBA nominee.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth

Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth was raw and gritty. Dealing with sensitive issues like mental health, foster care, homelessness and child abuse it is for the mature reader. That being said, the author weaves a realistic picture of life in the inner city of Newark, NJ. One of this year's RICBA nominees, Kinda Like Brothers tells the story of Jarrett, an 11 year old boy who lives with his mother. She is a foster mother and takes in babies who need special care. When she decides to foster 12 year old Kevon and his baby sister Treasure it is a new situation for Jarrett. He's gotten used to his mother caring for babies, but sharing his room, his school, and his friends with Kevon proves more than he can handle. Jarrett's blood is boiling and his temper is pushing him out of control.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Life of Zarf: the Trouble With Weasels by Rob Harrell

Life of Zarf: the Trouble With Weasels by Rob Harrell was an entertaining adventure and the first of a new series that is sure to be very popular. This fractured fairy tale is one of the RICBA 2016 nominees. Readers will love the funny comicstrip style drawings that add to the story of Zarf, a troll who is at the bottom of the popularity scale in his school. When he has a run in with Prince Roquefort, Zarf is left with his two only friends Kevin (a pig, and descendent of "The Three Little Pigs") and Chester (a not-so-funny court jester). Zarf's problems multiply as the prince challenges him to a joust, Snuffweasels capture the king, and Zarf ends up behind bars in the dungeon. Read to find out if the hot-tempered troll can save himself and the kingdom, and prepare to laugh a lot along the way.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Map Trap by Andrew Clements

The Map Trap by Andrew Clements will thrill Clements' fans and is one of the 2016 RICBA Nominees. Over the summer I listened to the audiobook available for download from the Warwick Public Library. Read by Keith Nobbs it was a wonderful rendition of the story. I can see this as a great read aloud for teachers, especially those wanting to introduce maps in a new and fun way. It all begins when Alton Barnes' parents name their yet unborn son from a map in the car on the way to the hospital. Alton grows up with a love of maps that even expands to include geocaching. If you don't know what geocaching is, read the book, there's a great explanation of this fun hobby. Alton loves making maps, but some of his maps are a bit unusual. For instance, the map he draws of his teacher's brain. When that map goes missing, Alton will do anything to get it back!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt is the ultimate do-over story. Odessa discovers a hidden magic in the attic of her new home that allows her to travel back in time to repeat the previous day. Odessa uses this magic to her advantage reversing mistakes she's made, like farting in front of the boy she "like-likes". When Odessa figures out that time is running out, and she won't be able to keep undoing her mistakes, she has to make every do-over count.

This is a cute story, it reminded me of the movie, Goundhog's Day. I thought the most interesting scenes surrounded Odessa's feelings about her father's upcoming marriage. Her parents are split up and Odessa really wishes they would get back together. Will she be able to rearrange the past to change her family's future? 

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro