A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

     A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is about a girl named Gerta and her family who wake up in the middle of the night when the Berlin Wall is being built. At the time, her father and little brother are out on a mission so they end up getting separated from the rest of the family. Gerta and her older brother Fritz decide they are going to try and escape by digging a tunnel underground while their mother is away visiting family. Along the way they face challenges and struggles.

    I really enjoyed this book because, it had some adventure and you never really knew what was going to happen next. My favorite part of this book was when Gerta started digging the hole underground because it was like she was just tired of everything that was going on and wanted to escape. I related to this book because it´s like when one of your friends move away and you want to find a way to be with them again.

Reviewed by: TronnorPanda11

Also Known As Harper by Ann Haywood Leal

Also Known As Harper by Ann Haywood Leal is a book about a girl named Harper and she has a true passion for writing and reading her own poems. Harper tried so hard to read her poems to people, but everytime she tried she failed. Then one day that changed. Harper had one true friend, but after a long time being friends they stopped hanging out. After that, Harper felt that her and Hemingway, her younger brother, would never make friends again. They moved into a hotel and after that move everything changed. Harper realized her life was not so bad after all. Read the book to find out what happened next!

Also Known As Harper is an excellent book. This book is funny and really sad. This book reminds me of another book called The Swift Boys And Me. The plot of the books are alike because they both have lost one of their parents and in both books they move. The main idea of the book was that you should keep trying and never give up. <3 span="">

Reviewed By Tiny Box Tim

I Totally Funniest by James Patterson

I Totally Funniest by James Patterson is a great book! In the story, the main character Jamie Grimm has been entered into a Planet's Funniest Kid competition by his Uncle. When Jamie returns home he starts to act like a jerk to his friends, so his friends don’t hang out with him anymore. Jamie also has to face major competition from Chatty Patty, Anthony, and Judy.This book reminds me of a vacation trip I went on to Disney, and once I was in an eating competition. I really like this book because the characters show great feeling and suspense. Read this book to find out if Jamie Grimm wins the Planet's Funniest Kid competition.  

Reviewed by: MoneyMan

Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun by Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun by Liz Kessler is a very adventurous book. Neptune has bad nightmares and sends Aaron and Emily to the land of the midnight sun to stop the evil force that is giving Neptune nightmares. While they are exploring, along the way, they meet some surprising creatures. They also meet Neptune’s brother in the book. By the end of this book, you will wish this was your normal everyday life, swimming and going on adventures.  If you are interested in adventure and mystery, this is the book for you. I really enjoyed this book, and so will you.  

reviewed by: CandyBarr13

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

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