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