Twilight

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. 498 pages. (Vampires/Fiction/Romance)

A 17 year old girl, Isabella Swan, decides to live with her father, Charlie, in the town Forks, Washington, for a while, rather than with her mother, Renée. While living with her father, Bella meets an interesting boy named Edward. At first Edward appears to hate Bella, but several weeks later they are dating. They have a problem though because of what Edward and his “family” are. Bella is constantly in danger and while they are playing baseball, another group of people like Edward pass through and put Bella in even more danger. To help save Bella, Edward’s family takes her to hide in her hometown, Phoenix, Arizona.

This is an awesome book!!!!!! I would totally recommend reading it. I have also read the whole series, and it just keeps getting better. I despise Mike the most because to me he is just the most annoying person.

Reviewed by: MillieDog3

Code Talker

Bruchac, Joseph. Code Talker. New York: Dial Books. 2007. 224 pages. (Historic Fiction)

The year is 1942, and 16-year old Ned Begay is ready and willing to join the U.S marines, especially because they are giving special offers to Navajo Indian code talkers like himself. He claims he is old enough and whips past boot camp to endure in the war that changes the way he and his friends live forever…

The book Code Talker was incredible. It really makes you feel like you are on the beaches of Bougainville or the gripping island of Iwo Jima. The first five chapters are extremely slow so for those of you who are impatient, you would not like this book, but if you can wait for action than I strongly recommend this book. Code Talker not only focuses on the reality and detail of war, but also the life of one marine and his newfound friends. The story is very hard to put down and tells you the real deal of WW2 through the eyes of a Navajo Indian. I strongly recommend this book to all history buffs like myself. The character most like me is probably Schmitty who is very sarcastic but nice when and means well when he says what he does. Schmitty is Ned Begays best “white” friend besides Georgia Boy who became friends with Ned when Ned taught him how to read.

Reviewed by: Freakbear97

Because of Anya

Haddix, Margeret Peterson. Because of Anya. New York: Children’s Publishing Division, 2002. 112 pages. (Fiction)

Keely and Anya are ten-year old girls in school, just normal girls with friends and a happy family. Anya was an only child and Keely had brothers but no sisters. Keely had friends that were the most popular in the fourth grade. Stef was the meanest and bossiest of them all, but she was still Keely’s friend. One day Anya and Keely were in class and Keely was passed a note. She usually always got caught and one time Mrs. Hobson made her almost read it, but Keely begged her not to read it aloud. But she didn’t get caught this time because Mrs. Hobson was writing on the board. Keely read it and it said ‘Look at Anya’. So from there it goes on. Stef is telling everyone that she thinks that Anya has cancer. Stef is trying to make her group of friends pull Anya’s wig off. Anya is really suffering from alopecia areata. It’s a disease that makes you lose your hair, and almost lose all the hair on your body. Anya is afraid of people noticing she wore a wig, and she was being very shy around people. One day she has to go to gym which is her worst part of the day. They are doing gymnastics and have to do flips and cartwheels. Anya’s mom takes her to the wig place and buys a tight but helpful headband the helps keep her wig on. But while she was trying to do five summersaults in a row, her wig got caught under her back and came off. Everyone thought Stef pulled it off and Anya won’t come to school. What will happen to Anya? Will she ever come to school?

I thought this book was very good and well written. The tragic disease made me sad that it happened to a little ten-year old, very nice, young girl. Keely reminds me of myself, almost. She tries to show off sometimes to her friends so she can stay in the group. Also she used to be friends with Anya and be in the same classes with her. That was me and my friend, but we never saw each other again after fifth grade because she moved to Hamilton. Keely always tried everything she could think of, cutting her hair and donating it to Anya, making her hair a wig. So did Stef, the beautiful little red head. I loved this book, and I might even have to read another book from her sometime with another book review or for fun. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a very good fiction book.

Reviewed by: walt22

Football Hero

Tim, Green. Football Hero. New York: Scholastic, 2008. 297 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

Ty Lewis is a 12 year old boy whose parents die unexpectedly. He has to live with his uncle and aunt who gamble a lot, do not care about anything, and don’t have a lot of money. He goes to Tully School. To get away from all the things that are going on, he tries out for football. The coach is amazed by his speed and wants to make him his starting z. There is just one problem, his uncle doesn’t want him to play and thinks he’d be better off working. When the coach finds out that Thane “Tiger” Lewis is his brother, the fastest wide receiver in the NCAA, he is dying to have him on his team. Tiger went to Syracuse University. When Ty’s family hears that the NFL New York Jets have signed Thane to a thirty-two million dollar contract, seven million dollars guaranteed, they become rich and have challenges along the way in their life. Ty’s uncle bets on football games and Ty and Tiger work with the FBI to try to find evidence on if he is guilty.

Football Hero is one of the greatest books I have ever read. The detail and different challenges in this story really bring out the excitement in this story. I'd refer this book to anybody who wants to read a great book. You do not need to be a football fan to read this book. Anybody who reads this book will absolutely love it! I selected this book because there was a picture of a football player and I like football. I also chose this book because it is written by a former NFL football player.

Reviewed By: A-Rod132

Found

Haddix, Margaret. Found. New York. Simon & Schuster, 2008. 314 pages. (Fantasy).

Jonah, a 13 year old, has always known that he was adopted. He and a new friend Chip begin receiving strange letters. They both have disturbing news written on them. They both start to wonder who these strange letters were from and why someone would send a letter to a boy living in a foster home located in a rural area just like most of America. They go on a journey of a lifetime that involves the F.B.I., a smuggling undertaking, and tons of other mysterious things.

This book is a real page turner. Every time you finish a chapter, you will want to read more no matter who you are. In this book you go through happiness, sadness, anger, and a bunch of emotions. I prefer this book for kids of all ages. I chose this book because I like the suspense of wanting to keep reading.

Reviewed by: Jumping Bear 45

Peak

Smith, Roland. Peak. New York City: Scholastics Inc, 2007. 246 pages.

Peak Marcello is in major trouble. He was caught climbing the Wentworth Building in NYC and he has been charged with criminal trespass, vandalism, reckless endangerment, a kid’s life… the judge lets him off the hook- for a fine of $150,000, probation until he turns 18, and he must disappear. His dad, who hasn’t been in touch with Peak for years, offers to take him away for a while. Peak is thrilled to be with his dad, but sad to leave his mom, stepdad, and twin sisters. His dad has more than a few surprises for Peak, and it turns out he only offered to help out to benefit himself.

This book was breathtaking! I knew it had good reports, but I didn’t think it would be anything as good as it was. It was an exciting adventure, but it was also about friendship and deceiving. The characters where each so different and original, and the plot was different than any other I’ve ever read. I would’ve rather it had a different ending, but it was very heroic and emotional. All around an excellent read! A five star book!

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

Everlost

Shusterman, Neal. Everlost. New York: Simon & Schuster Books, 2006. 318 pages. (Mystery/Fantasy)

Everyone says that you see, "the light" before you die and that may all be true, but it's another story when your on your way to that "light" and something or someone knocks you out of the tunnel. This is exactly the mishap that happens to Allie and Nick, the not so lucky kids of a head on car accident. Nine months later they awake in a forest thinking that they were just thrown from the vehicles and help will be coming soon. Until they meet another unfortunate soul who has forgotten his name they do not understand all the surroundings and that they are dead. Allie is determined to get back home while Nick is just following along hoping that something good will happen soon. When Allie and Nick reach the site of where the Twin Towers once stood tall in New York City, Nick meets the love of his after life, Mary Hightower. Allie knows that something isn't right about Mary and refuses to stay under her so called, "protection." Nick thinks that he has found a place just as good as heaven only Mary isn't all that Nick thinks. Allie finds loop holes to Mary's books that she writes in Everlost to keep the Afterlights from finding out the truth. Another unlikely character is introduced as no other than the McGill. The McGill is the nastiest, meanest, most deceiving soul in Everlost who chimes and Afterlights that get into his traps. What will happen when Allie, Nick, and Lief come to close encounter with doom with the McGill? Read the pages of Everlost to find out!

Everlost was the best fiction ghost book I have ever read! Every page held a new mystery or a new riddle for the characters to solve! It is a fun book to read and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who scared easily!

Reviewed by: BlueBerryBuddy

A Wizard of Earthsea

Le Guin, Ursula K. A Wizard of Earthsea. New York: Bantam Books, 2004. 205 pages.

Duny, Ged, later
Sparrowhawk; the same person:
A skillful wizard.

Duny; a bronze smith’s
Son. Not much cared for. Nothing
Too exceptional.

At a young age a
Remarkable talent is
Shown to great extent.

He saves his village
But it costs him his power.
Duny needs healing.

Ogion the great
Mage heals him and takes him as
A bright beginner.

Duny, now Ged picks
To go to a magic school
Instead. Onto Roke!

At Roke, Ged stands out.
He is best in all classes.
He has followers.

Then on a night of
Magical fun Ged frees a
Furious phantom.

Now a spirit is
Chasing Ged. Can he defeat
Something so mighty?

Reviewed by: FunkyZebras19

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York City: Scholastic Inc., 2007. 523 pages. (Historic Fiction)

Hugo Cabret lives in a clock worker’s apartment in a train station. Hugo steals food and toys from the shops in the train station. His father is dead. His uncle has disappeared never to return. He is alone.

One day while attempting to steal a toy from a toy booth, Hugo is caught. The toy seller holds Hugo still and demands for him to empty his pockets.

Hugo looses one of his most valuable possessions: his notebook.

He will stop at nothing to get it back.

And so begins the mysterious adventures of Hugo Cabret…

This book was incredible! I cannot even describe the level of detail put into this book. Although there are 523 pages in this book, 284 of those pages are illustrations. It took me less than two hours to finish this book, and that’s including examining the incredible illustrations in this book. If you do read this amazing book~ stop and look at the pictures. Whoever drew them is extremely talented and you won’t understand the book unless you really look at the pictures.

This book deserves to be read and praised.

THE most unique and incredible book I’ve ever read!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

My Sister’s Keeper

Picoult, Jodi. My Sister’s Keeper. NY: Washington Square Press, 2004. 423 pages. (Fiction)

When Kate’s parent’s find out about their daughter’s disease they decide to have a child that is made genetically to fit Kate’s blood type and be a perfect match as an organ donor. The only problem is when Kate gets to the point where she needs a kidney transplant her genetically matched sister, Anna, is realizing that her parents only had her to keep Kate alive. Anna gets in touch with a lawyer, Campbell Alexander, and files a law suit against her parents for signing over her body to her sister without permission from Anna. The decision that Anna makes will tear her family apart even more than it already is and possibly kill her own sister.

My Sister’s Keeper is the saddest book I have ever read. Just reading about how a family can be torn apart by one thing and then ripped to shreds by another, proves that there is usually always someone out there who has it way worse than you do.

Reviewed by: BlueBerryBuddy

Chains

Anderson, Laurie. Chains. NYC: 2008. 300 pages. (Historical Fiction)

1776.

Revolutionary War.

Isabel and Ruth, sisters~ SLAVES.

Their Mistress dies, where do they go?

New York City.

To the Lockton's LOYALISTS

Soldiers, beatings, hangings, brandings, battles, fires...

SOLD.

Isabel is no Patriot; She is no Loyalist;

She will help whoever can promise her

FREEDOM.

Review:

Amazing,

Powerful,

Painful,

Shocking

...

TRUE.

This book was written so well! It had so much detail, it felt as though I was there. I could feel Isabel's fear and pain, her anger and resentment. Although I have never had my flesh boil under a hot iron, I could almost feel it when Laurie Halse Anderson described it. I actually learned a lot from this book. I learned about the lifestyles of slaves and rich folk in 1776. I learned about the Revolutionary War and the conditions of Rebel and British Soldiers. The way she described it, it almost seemed like Anderson experienced these events herself. She obviously put a lot of research and work into this book, and it deserves to be read by all.

Reviewed by: DancingPenguins96

The Outsiders

Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders. New York City: Penguin Group Inc., 180 pages. (Fiction)

Ponyboy Curtis has had a very hard time with life after his parents both died. He can’t rely on anyone except his brothers and some of his friends. With Pony’s school grades dropping, he also has trouble with the Socs, a gang who thinks that their all that and who are strong in numbers. Pony has been able to live like this for a long time until one night things take a turn for the worst.

This is a thrilling story that includes courage, trust, and most of all, friendship. I think this is a really good book because it teaches people to cherish their friends and family. One reason why I think people should read this book is because the author, S.E. Hinton, always keeps you on the edge of your seat after every chapter and always has action going on. Plus, she gives great descriptions of the characters in the book.

Reviewed by: Baseballplyr

Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception

Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception. New York City: Hyperion Books for Children, 2005. 340 pages. (Fantasy Series/Humor)

Artemis Fowl is back! After being mid-wiped by the fairies, he has returned to his old criminal-like self again. He has now devised a plan to steal one of the most cherished paintings in the World… “The Fairy Thief” One of the best paintings ever painted. It has only been stolen eight times and Artemis plans to steal it for a ninth. However, little does he know, an old enemy has been watching his every move. Opal Koboi is back to destroy whoever foiled her plan before and Artemis Fowl is at the top of her list. Once she destroys everyone she wants, Opal will try to collide the fairy world with the human world. As always Captain Holly Short is dragged into this mess, however, she knows she will not be able to beat Opal Koboi herself so she does the only thing she need to. She needs to save Artemis Fowl. Who will live? Who will die? Will Artemis Fowl come back to his senses, or will he stay a criminal forever? Find out in Artemis Fowl, the Opal Deception.

I think this is one of the best books in the series because it’s easy to understand, plus it’s full with action and excitement. I also like it because a lot of different things shock you at first but then you figure out later in the book that it would’ve happened anyway or it just had to happen. Even though it jumps around a little bit, it gives everyone in the story their own opinion so it makes it more interesting as reader to see what everyone really wants and what happens when they don’t get it. I highly recommend this book to all the Artemis Fowl fans.

Reviewed by: Baseballplyr

Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code

Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2003. 446 pages. (Fantasy Series/Humor)

Brilliant Artemis
Fowl constructs a cube
Out of stolen tools.

Unwittingly he
Sends the fairies into lock-
Down. Then he needs help.

Butler has been shot.
Artemis requires help
To save his friend’s life.

Holly on the case.
Against all odds she heals
Butler- but he aged.

Now fifty year old
Butler is out of the game-
The cube is stolen.

The fairies are in
Danger of exposure. Can
They succeed again?

A tycoon, who is
Insane and dangerous. No
Thing can save the cube.

Artemis is forced
To submit to a mind wipe
After the mission.

Juliet, Butler,
And Artemis will forget.
Or will they give in?

The third book of the Artemis Fowl series is better than the first two. This one was also really funny. Pex and Chips were the main reason. They’re two bodyguards for Jon Spiro, the evil tycoon. They were so stupid; it made me laugh out loud. If I had to pick three words to describe this book, they would be hilarious, superb, and original.

Reviewed by: FunkyZebras19

Artemis Fowl

Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2001. 396 pages. (Fantasy Series/Humor)

Artemis Fowl:
Boy genius, millionaire,
And criminal brain.

Holly Short: police
Officer, elf, fairy, smart.
About to collide.

Boy with bodyguard
And elf. A fairy-napping
Plan. War of species.

After Artemis
Captures Holly, all fairies
Storm Fowl Mansion.

As his house crumbles
Around him, will Artemis
Hold onto his prize?

This book was AMAZING!! I loved it all. It had a lot of laughs and on the opposing side, suspense. My friend was reading the series and told me how good it was and at the same time my dad bought me the first four books in the series. I started the first one and got hooked. So I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. And I also read another book in sixth grade by the author, Eoin Colfer. He’s a really good writer.

Reviewed by: FunkyZebras19

The Black Book of Secrets

Higgins, F.E. The Black Book of Secrets. New York City: MacMillan Children’s Books, 2007. 266 pages. (Fantasy)

Ludlow Fitch is alone. He catches a ride on the back of a carriage leaving the city. He ends up in Pagus Parvus in the middle of the night. He is soon taken is by Joe Zabbidou, a Pawnbroker. Not only is he a Pawnbroker, but a Secret Pawnbroker. One night Joe asks Ludlow a peculiar favor and Ludlow soon learns what a Secret Pawnbroker is; Joe buys secrets.

Ludlow will soon learn that behind the villagers nice faces are crimes and regret. There’s trouble coming, and it may be deadly...

I loved this book! It was well written, it was interesting, and it had secrets in it that I was dying to find out. Most secrets are revealed at the end, but some are saved for the next book of Ludlow and Joe. Definitely worth reading!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Breaking Dawn

Meyer, Stephanie. Breaking Dawn. NY: Little, Brown, and Company, 2008. 754 pages. (Fantasy Series / Vampires)

Bella's brand new life
She has a new family,
Her own family

Bella and Edward
stay together forever
for their cute, new child

Their very own home
Some time to spend together
Nights to hold onto

A danger arose
A visit from friends
that aren't to friendly

What will happen next?
Read Breaking Dawn to find out
It is a great book

Breaking Dawn is packed with adventure romance and sadness. come join Bella and her new family to a new life . this book is great and i loved reading it. the way Stephanie Meyer writes her books is awesome. you feel like your right beside Bella throughout the whole adventure.

Reviewed By: GinniGirl

The Fall of Reach

Nylund, Eric. The Fall of Reach. New York: Random House Publishing Group, 2001. 340 pages. (Sci-Fi)

Lieutenant Keyes, Lieutenant Keyes what do you see?
I see John playing by me.
John, John what do you see?
I see doctor Halsey playing with me.
Dr. Halsey, Dr. Halsey what do you see?
I see Chief Mendez training Spartans for me.
Chief Mendez, Chief Mendez what do you see?
I see Spartans all around me.
Spartan, Spartan what do you see?
I see John leading for me.
John, John what do you see?
I see Covenant soldiers dying from me.
Covenant, Covenant what do you see?
I see a war between humanity and me.
Humanity, Humanity what do you see?
I see John protecting me.
John, John what do you see?

I would tell anyone who has ever played Halo to read it, mostly because you have to know a little bit about the game to understand parts of it. I would and have read another book by this author. If I was to sum this story up in one word, I would use “Epic” because it is a really awesome book with a climactic ending.

Reviewed by: Pink cheese cake

Eragon

Paolini, Christopher. Eragon. New York: Random House Children’s Books, 2002. 507 pages.

Exciting
Round the world of
Alagaesia adventure between a boy, Eragon, and his dragon, Saphira.
Galbatorix an evil king tyrant who is ever wanting more power and is the
enemy of Eragon.
On Eragon and Saphira’s adventure the meet a shade, elf, dwarves, Varden.
and the son of a dangerous alley to Galbotorix They go on such an
adventure
Not to feed their need for adventure, but to save the Varden, Elves, dwarves,
the people in the Empire, friends, family and everything the two hold
dear.

What a great, exciting, nail biting book. I read it once and it was so good I read it again! I would definitely recommend this to a friend. If you like magic, adventures, battles and enchanting, magical creatures this is the book for you. Watch out for the rest of the books in the Inheritance Cycle. “One boy…one dragon…a world of adventure”

Reviewed By: naturegrl

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas

Boyne, John. The Boy In The Striped Pajamas. NY: Davis Fickling Books, 2006. 216 pages. (Historic Fiction)

Once upon a time, there was a happy family
Until Bruno had to move
To a dreaded place because his father was a Nazi Officer.
With nothing to do, Bruno went for a walk to a fence.
Inside, were many people including Shmuel.
They became best friends, but they
Had a fence between them.

Bruno, being young and naive, he
Really wanted to go on the other side of the fence.
Underneath the fence, he went in his striped pajamas.
Nobody knew who he was or what would happen next.
Outside the fence, the word spread of his disappearance.

So a massive search began,
Holding on to hope was all they could do.
Maybe he had run away because he hated Out-With,
Until they found his clothes by the fence.
Everybody knew he went under the fence.
Like any reluctant Nazi parent would, they searched the Jewish camp.

I really liked this book because it was very suspenseful. I never wanted to put it down because I always wanted to know what would happen next. Often I found myself trying to tell Bruno and the other characters what to do. I would tell Bruno not to go under the fence, until I realized it was a book. If I were to rate this book, I would give it a ten out of ten. My favorite part was the ending. I would never expect what happened. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Holocaust.

Reviewed by: Son of Bigfoot

The End

Snicket, Lemony. The End. New York: HarperCollins, 2006. 327 pages. (Adventure Series)

Under the sun the Baudelaires and Count Olaf
Needle each other as they are pushed farther out to sea.
Finally there is a storm and
Olaf is washed over board.
Rapidly the orphans are washed onto a coastal shelf.
Then they are found by colonists on the island next to the shelf.
Unfortunately Olaf tries to join too, but is left behind.
Never did the Baudelaires dream to be so lucky.
At first life in the colony is
Tranquil compared to the Baudelaires regular life
Even though the food and everything else is a little bland.

Everything changes when a figure from the Baudelaires past shows up on a
Vast cube of books. The islanders turn them away from their
Establishment, leaving the Baudelaires and their friend who is
Nearly finished with her pregnancy.
Then the Baudelaires meet something that they hoped to never see again and that could
Slaughter everyone on the island.

This book was
High-quality writing and very enjoyable
Especially when the author constantly tried to discourage his readers from

Enduring to read the book and suffer with the Baudelaires unfortunate lives.
Nevertheless, I wish that the author could have told the readers the secrets the siblings
Discovered as they read the history of the island.

Reviewed by: FunkyZebras19

Maximum Ride School’s Out – Forever

Patterson, James. Maximum Ride School’s Out – Forever. New York: Little Brown and Company, 2006. 409 pages. (Sci-Fi Series / Adventure)

Max and the rest of the gang are out to find their parents.
Are you wondering if they are going to be all right?
Xeroderma or any dryness aren’t present in this book.
Iggy finds his Mom?
Many twists and turns are in this book.
Ultimate endurance is what Max needs in this book.
Major problems face our heroes.

Ready for an action packed book?
Imagine the usual deadly Erasers, now with wings.
Deranged scientists plot against them.

Exceptionally written, well punctuated, makes this a great read.

Reviewed by: Bananasandwitch91

The Greatest Battle

Nagorski, Andrew. The Greatest Battle. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc, 2007. 316 pages. (Nonfiction)

Stalin, Stalin what do you see?
I see death in front of me.
Death, Death what do you see?
I see coldness killing thee.
Coldness, Coldness what do you see?
I see soldiers dying from me.
Soldiers, Soldiers what do you see?
We see a comrade falling near we.
Comrade, Comrade what do you see?
I see hope escaping me.
Hope, Hope what do you see?
I see Germany crushing me.
Germany, Germany what do you see?
I see misery caused by me.
Misery, Misery what do you see?
I see Moscow not giving to thee.
Moscow, Moscow what do you see?
I see Hitler antagonizing me.
Hitler, Hitler what do you see?
I see time slipping away from me.
Time, Time what do you see?
I see war destroying a family.
War, War what do you see?
I see citizens killed by me.
Citizens, Citizens what do you see?
I see German “Liberators” killing thee.
Liberators, Liberators what do you see?
We see terror caused be us.
Terror, Terror what do you see?
I see resistance fighting me.
Resistance, Resistance what do you see?
I see a light at the end of this terrible journey…

I think this book is an intense tale of one of WWII most bloodiest battles. Nagorski gives The Battle of Moscow the story it deserves giving the account of the intense fighting, miserable conditions, and fierce betrayals. I recommend this book to all people who love learning of WWII and those people who love a good, intense war story. A one word label for this story would be MASSIVE.

Reviewed by: Biglipbubba52

Shadowmancer

Taylor, G.P. Shadowmancer. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 2003. 300 pages. (Fantasy)

Searching for infinite power,
Horrid Obidiah Demurral
And his ugly assistant Beadle
Direct horrible creatures and people to destroy an
Orphaned Thomas, Wild Kate, religious Raphah, and the
Wicked Jacob Crane who are the only ones who can stop him.
Many people
Aid our heroes, but some end up nearly getting them killed.
Nevertheless, they usually end up all right, but you must read this
Cunning book to
Ever know what
Really happens to our three (or possibly four) heroes.

If I were to give this book a one word label, it would most likely be Different because it just is! Compared to other fantasy novels, it has a lot more religion involved, the antagonist wasn’t really anyone special like a king or wizard; he was just an old, white-haired man who wants limitless power. If that doesn’t motivate you to think it's different, then I simply don’t know what else to say!

Reviewed by: Cake1313

The Year of Secret Assignments

Moriarty, Jaclyn. The Year of Secret Assignments*. New York: Scholastic, 2004. 339 pages. (Fiction)

The Year of Secret Assignments has
Heated arguments, and
Exciting travels.

You never know what will happen when letters become somewhat
Evil.
A plot begins to help a friend, and soon even more
Rivalries form between Ashbury and Brookfield Schools.

On a trail behind school a shocking
False Identity is found.

Secrets will be revealed, and
Everyone will be surprised.
Come into a world of secret missions, false alarms, and some lock picking.
Re enter the world of high school drama.
Enter, you are welcome here.
Treasure your friends and achievements.

And realize…
Some
Secrets shouldn’t be told,
In case someone without
Good intentions could
Never let you forgive yourself.
Maybe you will overcome, but you should
Enable yourself to because
Not all friends are
True
Some are just there, but true friends are better.

This is an AMAZING book! I could not put it down because of all the new twists and turns. I felt I had to know what was happening next. With all of the twists you can never get bored, I would definitely recommend this book who likes page turners because this is one! If I were a book reviewer, I would give it an A+.

Reviewed by: crazemonke6

Twilight

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. N.Y. :Hatchet Book Group USA, 2005. 498 pages. (Fantasy Series/Vampires)

Taking a trip to Forks,
Was hard for Isabella Swan.
In a new school,
Liking a mysterious boy,
Information that she shouldn’t have heard.
Getting to like and know the Cullens,
Having to live with her dad,
Taking the trip to Forks was a good idea for Isabella Swan.

I would read new books by Stephanie Meyer because she is a great writer. All of her books that I have read like New Moon and Eclipse are great in detail, and if you have a good imagination, you will fall into the book yourself. I hope you love Twilight as much as I do.

Reviewed by: GinniGirl

Twilight

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York. Little, Brown and Company. New York. 2005. 498. (Fantasy Series/Vampires)

A girl from Arizona, Bella was her name.
She moved to a small town in Washington by the name of Forks.
All in all it was a very good choice,
She noticed a group sitting at the corner of the cafeteria.
A very stunning group:
Edward, Alice, Rosalie, Emmet, Jasper.
All were very beautiful, “foster children”,
But the weirdest thing of all they were…vampires.
Bella was ticked when Edward did not speak to her;
He was all sorts of weird around her.
She was going to confront him, but he did not show up at school.
A week went by and still no-shows.
So Bella and Jessica go to Portland to shop for prom dresses;
Bella ends up at a book store.
A group of boys came and started harassing Bella,
But Edward came to the rescue
And scared them away.
He was disgusted at the way the boys were thinking.
He wanted to rip there heads off, but he didn’t
To find out if Bella and Edward fall in love

You must read the book.
______________________________________________________

I would most definitely recommend this book to another person.
I would read every book that she has written, but then again, I pretty much already have.
If I had to choose my favorite scene, it probably be the baseball scene. It was totally unexpected when the nomads showed up.
It was the number one best book I’ve ever read.

Reviewed by: 90210

Dial-a-Ghost.

Ibbotson, Eva. Dial-a-Ghost. NY: Puffin Books, 2004, 224 pages. (Mystery)

Oliver is an orphan who
Lives in a place called Helton Hall.
Instead of being happy for getting out of the orphanage, he is scared and
Very upset.
Even though he has a HUGE house all to himself! Or so he thinks.
Revenge is the only thing Oliver’s cousin can think about since they had wanted to own Helton. To scare Oliver off, they ordered the

Shriekers. The Shriekers are so terrible that they kill children and animals!
Meanwhile, Oliver is trying to settle in at Helton. He is scared and upset,
In his bedroom in the clock tower. His cousins insisted that he should have it.
Then the most wonderful thing happened. Oliver did not receive the
Horrible Shriekers, but instead he got the kind and loving family, the Wilkinsons!

I would recommend this book to all people, big and small! This book does not look that good on the outside, but on the inside, it is a whole new world! Trust me, when I first looked at this book I was like “I am not reading this! It does not look very good.” Then one day I was so board that I picked up the book and began reading! I liked it so much that I could not stop! That goes to show you, NEVER judge a book by its cover! If I was to give this book a one word label I would say, UNEXPECTED!!!!!! This book had such a good ending but it was so unexpected. So if you want to know what does on between the Wilkinson’s, the Shrieker’s, and Oliver, you will just have to read this book!

Reviewed by. Bluegoo32

Among the Imposters

Haddix, Margaret. Among the Imposters. NY: Children’s Publishing Company, 2001. 172 pages. (Sci-Fi Series)

People are not allowed more than two children which is a problem for Luke Garner, but it was
Over when he started coming to Hendricks (a military type school,) Jen’s dad brings him too because his
Parents couldn’t hang on to him since he was illegal. His first day of school is a little rough thanks to his tour guide Roger
Until he finally gets to his room and unpacks.
Later in the evening he gets
An invitation to his own room with a couple of other guys for a meeting to get to know each other.
There he finds out that some of them are also illegal third children that could get in trouble by the Population Police.
In order to find out what happens to Luke, you’ll need to get the book and read it,
OR ELSE you will find yourself meeting the Population Police. Until
Next time, you shall read this book.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes non-real things or made up stuff, because there really is no such thing as the Population Police (except in China.) But if I were you, don’t show this book to parents because then they will think you will run away and go to a military school. Margaret Peterson Haddix has a great different variety of books, including books in a sequel of this one. So yes, I would, and if I were you I would read another book by this author.

Reviewed by: BulletTaco

Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The Last Straw

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The Last Straw. NY: Amulet Books, 2009. 224 pages (Graphic Novel / Humor)

D iary of a Wimpy Kid ( Book Three )
I s a book
A bout a kid named Greg Heffley.
R odrick is his brother, and he has pushed Greg to far.
Y ou're going to love the comedy in the book.

O ver the days in the book, Greg finds ways to get though his teenage life.
F or him his family is the hardest

A nd

W hen he is with his friends sometimes make
I t even worse for him.
M anny his brother is one of those examples because everytime Manny does something bad Greg got blamed for it.
P eople love to make fun of him and if he goes over to his friend Rowleys house to play games Rowley Dad will check the game on a parenting website.
Y ou're going to not want to put the book down.

K ids will love this book because it is just like a normal kid and their problems
I t is a good book if you are stressed or
D epressed.

10 words I would use to describe this book are...

1. Fantastic
2. Happy
3. Releaving
4. Funny
5. Comedy
6. Outstanding
7. Hilarious
8. Micvious
9. Classic
10. To the Point

Why? Because when you read the book, you get a sense that you are relieved.

Reviewed by: oldpartner587

The Outsiders

Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. New York City: Penguin Group, 1967. 180 pages.

Ponyboy Curtis.

He’s in a gang but he’s gold.

Growing up is tough.

And Darry Curtis

Has cold eyes, uses his head.

Tough love for Pony.

Sodapop Curtis.

Movie star handsome he is.
Loves Pony so much.

And there’s Steve Randle.

He’s tall, lean, cocky, and smart.

Really good with cars.

There’s Two-Bit Mathews
A wisecracker, the oldest.

Shoplifter, switchblade.

Oh Dallas Winston.

Tougher, colder, and meaner.

Dangerous convict.

Little Johnny Cade.

Scared and rejected looking.

Gang’s pet, kid brother.

Tale of Hope and Pain.

Some will make it, some will not.

Count on each other.

This book was really incredible. Even though I have never seen a gang, and I didn’t grow up in a bad neighborhood, I could understand the characters and their situation. S.E. Hinton is an amazing writer. I can see why people love her stories. A must read!

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

Ninth Grade Slays

Brewer, Heather. Ninth Grade Slays. NY: The Penguin Company, 2008. 274 pages. (Vampire Series)

Vladimir Tod is just starting high school
And, along with the normal pressures of being a freshman, he has to be on a constant lookout for a
Menacing vampire slayer hired to kill him. His best friend Henry’s cousin, Joss, who’s
Pretty much like Vlad in every single way is being a better friend than Henry. His Uncle Otis has
Invited his him on a trip to Siberia to hopefully help him hone his vampire skills. Will he ever
Reach his full potential as a vampire, and what about the
Evil vampire slayer on the loose? Join Vlad on sequel in the epic series ‘The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod’

Whoever said the sequel is never as good as the original has obviously never read this series. Heather Brewer is back with the second installation of her award winning series, ‘The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod’. Full of new characters, forming relationships, and a twist you’ll never see coming, this book is enough to appease the hunger of her entire fan club, formally known as the Minion Horde, and the rest of the world for that matter. This is the series for all you misunderstood children out there!

Reviewed by: the helpful purple butterfly

Beka Cooper: Terrior

Pierce, Tamora. Beka Cooper: Terrior. NY: Random House, 2006. 563 pages. (Fantasy Series)

Welcome to a world before legends were made. 200 years before Alana the Lioness and Aly the spymaster, there was Beka Cooper—a trainee of the Provost’s Dogs of Tortall, but life is not easy as a Puppy in the slums of the capital. Armed with only her wits, club, and an ability to hear the dead, Beka Cooper struggles to survive in a city full of murderers, pickpockets, and thieves with hidden agendas and dark schemes. When she uncovers a string of murders, Beka must convince her fellow Dogs to find the killer before he kills again.

The first of a new series, Beka Cooper, promises to entertain as much as any of Pierce’s other novels. Darker than many of her previous novels, Beka Cooper is filled to bursting with adventure, mystery, death, and a touch of romance as Beka speaks with the souls of the dead to chase down their killer. A welcome addition to Pierce’s Tortall stories, Beka Cooper promises to keep us entertained for several more years as her story unfolds in future novels. The only downside? The next novel in the series, Bloodhound, won’t hit shelves until 2009.

Reviewed by: Disreputable Dog

Trickster’s Queen

Pierce, Tamora. Trickster’s Queen. NY: Random House, 2004. 444 pages. (Fantasy Series)

Aly is back in the sequel to Trickster’s Choice. She returns with the Balitang family from exile to Rajmuat—the capitol of the Copper Isles—and finds herself thrown into the dangers and intrigues of court. The former king is dead and the kingdom is ruled by the regents, two equally ruthless rulers, who kill anyone who stands in their way. No longer a slave, Aly finds herself charged with protecting Dove and Sarai, two sisters with the blood of the ancient queens of the Copper Isles. Can she keep them alive long enough to see Sarai become queen of the Isles and end the reign of the regents? Read the second book of the Trickster’s Series and find out.

Trickster’s Queen was a wonderful conclusion to the two book series. Aly has come along way since being sold into slavery in book one, and it has been a pleasure following her continued adventures here. I was disappointed, however, when I finished the book, not because it had a bad ending, but because it was over. I can only hope that Tamora Pierce is not quite done with Aly Cooper and has something else planned for this wonderful character down the road.

Reviewed by: Disreputable Dog

Harris,Thomas. Hannibal Rising. NY: Bantam Dell,2007. 368 pages. (Horror)

Hannibal Lector saw his family's murder

An invisible wound formed in his heart

No way to show his feelings through words. There is

Nothing but silence as if his mouth was sewn shut.

In an unpleasant orphanage, he created violence

Because of his anger bottled up inside.

After a brawl with a fork, young

Lector is dismissed from misery to his new home

Revenge is what young Hannibal wants. Only revenge
Is performed in the most gruesome ways:

Slaying his victims piece by piece

It is his intention to find and dine on them

No grief or sorrow for whom he has killed. Now a

Grieving "child" turned into a cannibalistic beast...

I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes horror and gore. I probably wouldn’t share this with my parents because they don't like gory novels. I would read another book by this author because he uses great detail in describing the actions and scenery around the characters. I think when Hannibal's family was murdered- especially his sister, Mischa- It was almost as if I waere feeling his pain with him because they were so close. I would give this book "gruesome" as a one word label because the gore and actions Hannibal Lector creates is what most of the book is about.

Reviewed by: GothicVampire13

The Book Without Words

Avi. The Book Without Words. NY: Hyperion Books, 2005. 203 pages.

In the year 1046 in Fulworth,
The old man, Thorston, stirred and stirred
With all his might
Hoping the mixture would bring new life.
Counting the stones carefully and looking for the res,t
A young girl;

he wanted nothing but the best.
Can he renew his life again?
Try as he might,

death came in time,

like an empty bucket
At the bottom of the well.

Once a goat,

into a crow,

to a goat once again.

At the church,

she took refuge at a place

Thorston can’t enter.
With the help from

wise old man,

he keeps her life

safe from harm.

I would read another book from this author because Avi wrights books so well that they make you feel like you're in them. I would recommend this book to any one who likes to read Avi’s books and who likes a fable of medieval magic.

Reviewed by: NoWhereMan

Wild Magic

Pierce, Tamora. Wild Magic. New York: Random House Inc., 1992. 299 pages.
(Fantasy Series)

Will King Jonathan have his kingdom, Tortall, stolen from him?
It will depend on strength, magical power, and the ability to think positively.
Lady Alanna, the King’s Champion, is separated from the castle.
Daine must save Tortall with her wild magic.

Magical gifts help the King’s people power over their enemies.
Animals try to help save the kingdom by listening to Daine.
Great battles, dragons, heroines, and the
Immortals have been released, a very bad sign for Daine.
Calling all readers interested in astonishing fiction books!

Wild Magic is the first book in the series, The Immortals. In this book is awesome! The details in this book help the reader really grasp what is going on. The reader has to have imagination because Daine’s wild magic, immortals, and the Gift are fiction. Tamora Pierce explains and describes what is happening and why. Tamora Pierce is a wonderful author who has written many series of fiction books. After you read one book, you have to read the rest.

Reviewed by: Buddy2759

Princess Academy

Hale, Shannon. Princess Academy. NY: Bloomsbury, 2005. 314 pages. (Fanatsy)

Princess Academy is more than a name;
In this book it's a school.
This is a story of a young girl,
At the age of fourteen,
Miri,
who lives on a mountain.

Each year Miri gets older
Like the winter that comes and goes;
She is afraid of one terrible day,
The day the lowlanders come to snatch her away.

She is scared to go where all girls,
But her sister
Must go for she is being taken to a
Princess Academy.

In the academy one will be chosen, who will it be?
That one special girl will marry a prince;
She’ll live in a palace and be quite content.

There is but a twist, the Academy princess,
A position most wanted,
That girl gets a gown of silver and pink
To wear to the ball

Oh, what the prince must think
Of that girl!

Now Miri wants to be chosen,
That is until another love had risen.
Now Miri must choose to stay a mountain girl
Or marry a lowlander prince.

The girl the prince wants
Is the girl be chosen.
The girl he wants must be one or another.

Though one last twist
Brings the story near a close:
Trouble's afoot for the prince never choose.
Will he be back or will he stay gone?
Read the book to find out and it won’t do you wrong...

I liked this book because it was an easy read and fun too! If you like action and fighting, this isn’t that book, but if you want friendship and loyalty, this is a great book. This book has a little action but not too much. It also is a fast read! Even if you don’t want to read this book, you should still pick up a book and read.

Reviewed by: MangaManiac

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Inkheart

Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart. New York: Scholastic, 2003. 534 pages. (Fantasy Series)

Inkheart has come to start of the
New “Ink” series. A book that
Kicks in some action when Meggie learns

Her father read aloud an evil ruler who became an
Embodiment within the pages of Inkheart.
As chaos rushes in her life, how will she ever find her mother
Resa, who has been taken a slave by Capricorn?
Turn the pages of the book to find out.

Inspiring, mysterious, courageous, kind, powerful, likeable, incredible, fantastic, awing, and sad because all of these words revolve around the words amazing.

Reviewed by: Cloud27