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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Review: A Plague Year by Edward Bloor

A Plague Year by Edward Bloor.

A Plague Year by Edward Bloor

Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780375856815

Review: Meth, a dangerous drug, turns a small town upside down. In the story A Plague Year by Edward Bloor, Tom Coleman, a normal boy who works at a local food store living a typical life is experiencing some bizarre things. For example, people are stealing unusual items from stores and grocery carts have gone missing. But that isn't what is really happening. Meth users have gotten arrested throughout the town for using, selling and cooking's a result Zombies appear all over the town threatening the lives of the residents of Black Water. Tom realizes that his life, as well as his family's lives, is in danger. He knows he must do everything he can to protect them.

Black Water Pennsylvania changes after 9/11, with an increase in the usage of illegal drugs. Tom is forced to join a counseling group with his sister, Lily that is geared to training kids to avoid drugs. They then learn about all the different drugs that are a big problem. And soon realize how big of an issue meth usage has become. People everywhere are taking this mysterious drug, thinking it makes them feel amazing. But they soon learn that it doesn't. The euphoria only lasts for about a week or two, and then it terrorizes users for the rest of their lives. People everywhere are found dead because of meth including some of Tom's closest friends and family. With everything on the line, Tom has to help his family and friends avoid meth, because if they do they will be lost forever. With everything happening, the question for Tom is: can he survive A Plague Year?

A Plague Year is a great book full of drama and action with some thrilling twists that made me not want to put the book down. For example, when Tom is working at the Food Giant, two men in ski masks were trying to steal ingredients for meth and Tom has to face who were behind those masks. I also liked how the author makes every part of the book a never-ending thrill ride. I think this book would be good for kids in 6th grade and above because of the content. All in all, I think the book is great book for someone who loves crime, drama, and suspense all throughout the book. A Plague Year deserves 5 out of 5 stars.

Review written by Sam K. (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of A Plague Year for this review.

Have you read A Plague Year? How would you rate it?

Monday, November 28, 2011

Review: Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett

Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett.

Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett

Harcourt Childrens Books
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547581323

Review: Tracy Barrett has created a new series that will surprise you - Dark of the Moon. Dark of the Moon is the first book in the series. The story starts with Ariadne who is preparing to become Goddess. Her brother named Asterion who is next in line to become the Minos, and her mother, Pasiphae, who is pregnant.

Ariadne's brother, Asterion, is locked under the palace. Ariadne's mother, Pasiphae, keeps Asterion confined under the palace by a magical ball of yarn that has many knots to make invisible binds that keep Asterion from roaming about the island. Children are brought to the palace by the guards to play with Asterion, who accidentally kills the children making other Greek communities think that Asterion is a monster living under the palace. Meanwhile, Pasiphae dies during the birth of her child-, and Ariadne is going to become Goddess following her mother's path. The ritual takes place shortly after Ariadne's mother dies. At the same time, the Minos is stepping down-, and Ariadne's brother, Asterion, is next in line to be the Minos. But, because of what he has done, the people do not want him to be Minos. Ariadne asks her friends to help Asterion escape from the city for his safety. Ariadne tries to help Asterion in a way you may never forget but something goes wrong.

Dark of the Moon really hooked me with all of its twists and turns. I always wanted to continue reading the book. The book is exciting because of the interesting characters that built up suspense. After the death of Pasiphae, everything that I was expecting changed. I could not predict what was going to happen next; I had to keep reading. I will never forget this Greek mythology book. It also has some fantasy in it. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.

Review written by Michael (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of Dark of the Moon for this review.

Have you read Dark of the Moon? How would you rate it?

Book Trends Welcomes Author Tracy Barrett: A Student Interview

Tracy Barrett holds a Bachelor's Degree with honors in Classics-Archaeology from Brown University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Medieval Italian Literature from the University of California, Berkeley. Her scholarly interests in the ancient and medieval worlds overlap in her fiction and nonfiction works, which is certainly reflected in her new young adult novel Dark of the Moon (Harcourt Children's Books, September 2011 print and ebook editions). Sixth grade student Michael recently had the opportunity to ask the author a few questions about the book.

Have you ever been to Greece, is this what inspired you to write about Greek mythology?

Tracy Barrett
Photo courtesy Tracy Barrett.
Photo credit John Russell.

I’ve been to Greece, but it didn’t inspire me to write books based on Greek mythology. It’s the other way around—my interest in the Classical world (ancient Greece and Rome), including Greek mythology, led me there! I spent my junior year of college at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome. We had a field trip to Greece, and when the field trip ended, it was spring break and I was on Crete, which was amazing. All the people I was with were classics majors so we spent the break wandering around the ancient Cretan ruins, trying to reconstruct what they must have looked like, and imagining the lives of the people who lived in them. The sand on most of Crete is black, by the way!

Why did you name the characters these names Ariadne, Asterion, and Pasiphae?

Their names come straight from the myth. “Ariadne” means “most pure” or “most holy,” “Asterion” has something to do with the stars (there’s probably some tie with the bull constellation, Taurus), and Pasiphaë means “she shines for all.” Many scholars think that this means that Pasiphaë was a title, not a name, for the priestess of the moon goddess or the incarnation of the moon goddess, Ariadne was the title of the priestess, and Asterion was the title of someone who incarnated the sun-god in the form of a bull.

Do you think that you could have written the book from a different place, time period, and point of view?

I have no doubt that someone could do that, but not me. At one point I tried to re-cast it in the modern day and had a great deal of trouble. I’m really interested in trying to reconstruct ancient cultures, and so I was happiest keeping the setting where the myth was born.

Why did you have Pasiphae die after she gave birth to Ariadne’s sister?

Pasiphaë disappears from the myth before the Minotaur is killed, and I had to explain that somehow.

Why did you have Ariadne tell Theseus that he should kill Asterion?

That was a hard call. I had set it up that Ariadne loved Asterion, and the myth says that she and Theseus fled after the Minotaur was killed. I couldn’t see her leaving Crete with someone she hated for killing her brother, and I didn’t want her to be kidnapped. This was her time for taking charge of her life, and being kidnapped is much too passive. The solution I came up with was that Ariadne approved of the mercy killing.

How did you decide that Theseus’s dad would jump off the cliff?

Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett

The myth says that Aegeus committed suicide by jumping off a cliff into the sea when he saw that his son’s ship was flying a black sail, which Theseus had told him would be a sign that he had been killed by the Minotaur. (This is one of the big problems I have with the version of the myth that we have, which is a Greek garbling of Minoan religion: How could you forget to take down a black sail if you knew it would make your father think you had been killed?) The way I had set up King Aegeus, he wouldn’t have done such a thing out of sorrow for the death of his son (whom he had sent to almost certain death—another problem I have with the myth: if Theseus had indeed been killed, it would hardly have been a surprise). The closest I could come to the myth and still stay true to my characters was for Aegeus to commit suicide rather than face the shame of being defeated in a duel.

Could there have been a way that Asterion could have gotten to Athens, and what is that way?

Oh, no. Not at all. The Minotaur is purely Cretan. Where the story we have most likely came from is that Greek travelers to Crete must have seen a priest wearing a mask shaped like the head of a bull taking part in religious ceremonies, and either misunderstood what was going on or deliberately made it out to be a barbaric ritual (the Minoans, who lived on Crete, were the Athenians’ big rival in the Aegean Sea, and they could have wanted to make them look bad). The Minotaur is Cretan, and could never have been possible anywhere else.

Why did you have the Goddess powers in yarn balls?

One of the most famous parts of the myth is when Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of yarn to help him find his way out of the labyrinth after killing the Minotaur. Women’s work in the ancient world, especially spinning and weaving, was a huge part of the economy and daily life, and there are many Greek myths about weaving and spinning. I wanted to make that ball of yarn have more importance than it had in the myth.

Did Ariadne’s ball of rope really rip the sail on the boat or was it the wind? Why did you make that choice?

I don’t know! What do you think? I made that choice because I wanted her to have some hand in her own destiny. The island of Naxos, where the myth says that Theseus abandoned Ariadne (and where she married the god Dionysus), turns out to be a very holy site in the religion of moon-goddess worship.

How long did it take you to write the book?

About two years, counting revisions.

When you started did you know what you were writing at the end when you were writing the beginning or was it a work in progress?

I hardly ever know the end of a book when I get started, which is why I don’t like to work with outlines. If I know too much of what’s going to happen, it feels like homework! I did know that Theseus had to kill the Minotaur, that Ariadne had to help him, that they had to leave Crete, and that Theseus had to leave Ariadne on the island of Naxos. Those were the basic elements in the myth that I couldn’t mess with. But the myth is very sparse on motivation, and that’s where I had to work the hardest—to make a very unlikely story emotionally believable.

Clearly, Dark of the Moon is based in Greek mythology, but did you use the myths more as a guide or do the story lines follow actual Greek myths?

The story line—the plot, the main characters, the setting—are from the myth. I invented almost everything else: details of the moon-goddess religion, the characters’ personalities, etc.

Review: Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.

Wisdom's Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547566870

Review: So you fall in love with someone who travels far, far away, what do you do? WRITE LETTERS! In Wisdom's Kiss, Fortitude, an orphaned maid falls in love with a boy named Tips, however, Tips decides to travel to earn money. The story of of their long-distance romance is written in letters, skits, and three knight's points of views. . .Wisdom's Kiss is another excellent novel written by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.

When Tips travels abroad, what do he and Fortitude(Trudy) do to keep their love alive? They write letters to each other, exchanging gifts, words, and thoughts. Princess Wisdom however, is a whole different story. She is another main character, and has a very important role to play. Wisdom is destined to always be the little sister of Montagne's queen, and is engaged to Lord Rodger, someone she loves and has accepted the proposal. Does she really love him though? Or is it just his attempts to woe her? Will either of the young women find their true love and uncover the truth about their destinies?

Murdock is a great, great, GREAT author! If I ever cross another of her books, I'll be sure to read it. To be able to write this book is a fascinating accomplishment. When I finished Wisdom's Kiss, I kept rereading the last page, just to make sure that that was really the ending. I didn't want to know it to be...I didn't want it to end. I doubt that with all the events in the book, there could be a sequel, but I want one anyway. I rate this book 4 out of 5. It was a really awesome book. It really is, but how it was told was kind of hard to understand at times. It was told through letters, skits, and knights, and that's really cool, but when I was reading it, I found it kind of hard to understand. I had to skip and reread a lot of parts, however, that might have also been my fault and not necessarily the fault of the author. But it is still worth mentioning. I didn't understand a lot of it, so when I got to the end of the book, I had to look through the book for clues as to how to understand how the story was organized. Finally, I found something useful, and I began to reread the book. The second time I read it, it made a LOT more sense to me. It was a good thing I found the information, because the story had such an intriguing plot! All in all, I highly recommend the book for advanced readers due to the complexity of the story line.

Review written by Tam (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Wisdom's Kiss for this review.

Have you read Wisdom's Kiss? How would you rate it?

Friday, November 25, 2011

Review: The Girl Behind the Glass by Jane Kelley

The Girl Behind the Glass by Jane Kelley.

The Girl Behind the Glass by Jane Kelley

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375862205

Review: Would you like to move out of your house? Your neighborhood? To a house that is haunted? This is what happened to 11 year old twins, Hannah and Anna in Jane Kelley's The Girl Behind the Glass. They have to move from Brooklyn, to a house on Hemlock Road because their older sister doesn't get into a decent private school. Now their life is going to go through some major changes that they are not ready for.

Hannah and Anna move to a house they are renting until the house they bought is ready. There are bats in the attic, mysterious winds, and a haunted closet. The twins want to use the houses' mysterious qualities against Selena, their older sister. But Selena and Anna start to adjust where Hannah does not. Hannah hears and sees strange things. Why is she the one that hears and sees all of these haunted and mysterious occurrences? Their mother considered them to be one person because they were so much alike and called them "HannahAnna." Hannah and Anna start to realize they are not one person, but two separate people. With all the noises and strange occurrences you start to try and figure out is someone or something trying to separate them and why.

While reading The Girl Behind the Glass by Jane Kelley, readers get involved with trying to figure out who is this ghost and why is this happening. Readers also are trying to gain an understanding about what families experience when life doesn't go the way they have planned. I would suggest this book to read as it is a book that always keeps readers wondering and interested because there are surprises in every chapter. I was interested in trying to figure out who the narrator is in the story. I think people from the age of 10 - 13 would enjoy this book. I rate this a 5 out of 5.

Review written by Cesco (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Girl Behind the Glass for this review.

Have you read The Girl Behind the Glass? How would you rate it?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Review: Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder

Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder.

Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder

Yearling
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $7.99
ISBN-13: 9780375861697

Review: It wasn't dreadful at all when I read Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder! In this story, 7-year-old Penelope Grey is bored and lonely with no one to talk to except her parents and staff until her family inherits a house in Tennessee, where everything changes. Her parents start out incredibly wealthy until Dirk, Penelope's dad, loses his job, causing the three to struggle with money and finding a home. After Penny moves, she meets friends that help her along the way and show her what it's like to live in Thrush Junction. There's Luella, the crazy, spunky risk taker with an attitude that will definitely make you giggle. Jasper is an animal lover, with a house that's practically an animal shelter. Last but not least, there is Duncan who has over-protective parents that think he's allergic to almost every food. The four friends do amazing things together throughout the book, which is the main reason why I loved it.

The story begins with Penelope Grey sitting in her huge mansion of a home with nothing to do at all except read her book. She's always bored and thinks she always will be. Penelope is a home-schooled girl with no real friends. She waits for her father to come home from work, and when he does, she gets a big surprise. Her dad has quit his job. She doesn't mind that her father has done that. At that time, she doesn't care at all. However, a couple weeks later, she notices the staff that works at her house starts disappearing one by one. That's when Penelope gets confused and worried. Penelope tries to figure out what is happening. After over hearing her parents talk, she concludes that they are running out of money, and that the family would all have to move. One day, her mother gets a letter from Thrush Junction, Tennessee. They are inheriting a house from a deceased family member. This is the perfect solution for them all. After they get to their new home, Penelope finds a box of Penny Dreadfuls and decided to change her name and go meet some new friends. They all have something fun to do every day, whether it is having worm races or going to the shop to buy penny candy. Along the way, she finds a box that includes the amount of debt that Penny's mother and father need to pay off. It is definitely a big amount. Then, Penny gets worried, and is determined to make the money herself. She just HAS to do something. She just can't think of anything, but with the help of her friends, they finally decide to go search for gold in a huge cave. Is Penny successful? Does her family succeed?

I rate Penny Dreadful a ten out of ten because I enjoyed all the adventure that was in the book. I also liked the fact that there is a lot of teamwork in the story, which I enjoyed as well, because it's one of the most important things that you need in life. I could not attempt to put down this book down once I started reading! Penny Dreadful is so interesting. It shows readers the importance of never giving up, just like Penny. It gives many life lessons in the book like these and more. Once I finished reading, I actually felt a little sad because I wanted to read more! I wouldn't say that there is any bad language, but this story involves mature situations like losing a house or money, and people tend to be frustrated in many parts of the book, therefore I think this should be for middle-school readers and older.

Review written by Sofia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Penny Dreadful for this review.

Have you read Penny Dreadful? How would you rate it?

Monday, November 21, 2011

Review: Following Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

Following Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci.

Following Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

Harcourt Childrens Books
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780152047597

Review: Have you ever read a website and then wanted to track down a run away person? Well in the fantastic written book titled Following Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci that is the case. In this book there are two main characters named Mike Mavic and Ray Ann. Mike is a reporter he read a website titled ChistopherCreed.com. He and his girlfriend Ray Ann are investigating the case of Christopher running away from home. It starts in a small town in Indiana.

Mike is on the website he visits ChristopherCreed.com- which is run by the "famous" Torey Adams. So since the two college students are on break they decided that they should go to the town were Chris once lived and investigate. When they reach their destination, they are met by some high school students. Who tell them that if they wanted to try to find Chris they should go to Lighting Field where Chris' bother Justin is hanging out. This starts a surreal chain of events as Mike and Ray Ann embark on an adventure filled with death, mystery, and crazy people. If you want to figure out what happens looks like you are just going to have to read the book yourself.

Following Christopher Creed is an amazing book to read. I would recommend this book to anyone 14 and up. The reason I would recommend this book to this age level is because there are some words that aren't suitable for younger kids. So I highly recommend asking your parents to read a couple chapters so they know what kind of words are being used in the book, however the words are sometimes appropriate for the situation, but other times its just bad language. But besides that this book is the best book I have ever read. The plot is very tense which is my favorite type of book. I also think this book is thrilling because everyone in the book is only looking for one person Chris, and Chris is e-mailing Justin to look for him and he appears then vanishes. Even if you don't like mysteries or thrillers I think you will still love this amazing book. The reason is because at first before this book I really preferred sports books. But after I read this book I changed my opinion a lot. I hope that Carol Plum - Ucci makes more amazing books like this. From the beginning I thought this book would be a boring book, but that shows you can't judge a book by its cover. Lastly I think that Following Christopher Creed deserves a five out of five because of all the reasons I listed. So please just read the book- you won't be disappointed.

Review written by Ryan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Following Christopher Creed for this review.

Have you read Following Christopher Creed? How would you rate it?

Friday, November 18, 2011

Review: The Battle for Tomorrow: A Fable by Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall

The Battle for Tomorrow: A Fable by Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall.

The Battle for Tomorrow: A Fable by Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall

Eloquent Books
Publication Date: April 2011
List Price: $18.95
ISBN-13: 9781612042190

Review: A book with so many life lessons and about this girl who is stuck in a rut is a good read for many ages is called The Battle for Tomorrow by Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall, an author originally from the U.S. who moved to New Zealand. This book is about many good and just regular acts made by Angela Jones; a thirteen-years-old who had undergone her first abortion and soon decides to go Goth as well. Although this book isn't part of a series, it is phenomenal and I will reread it many times to come.

The Battle for Tomorrow is much more than a fable; it is also heart warming, tear-jerking, and suprising to many who will it, and its message rings true to all. The story takes place close to Washington D.C., as well as many other places like Africa for one chapter. Angela must help take care of her mother because her mother, Diane, is paralyzed on her whole right side and cannot speak as the result of a recent stroke just after Angela's 13th birthday. Due to the recent abortion, Ange takes a counseling class plus a pregnancy test weekly. Soon she starts to date a twenty-three-year-old political activist who soon opens up her eyes to see the importance of the urgent political and environmental issues facing humanity all around her; a bankrupt global economy, catastrophic climate change, and looming water, energy and food shortages. These crises are all around her, happening all throughout the book, all leading to alarming consequences for her new life as an adult.

I think many other people should read this book, especially readers age 13 and older, because it is filled with many life lessons throughout the plot of the story. It shares issues that are not only close to home, but also following what happens all over the world today. Sometimes teenagers don't listen, but maybe after reading this book, they will. The Battle for Tomorrow also explains many other things that can be good, bad, fun, or cool to do depending on the reader's interest. But the major reason this book should be recommended to people all over is because overall, this book is absolutely phenomenal. Since The Battle for Tomorrow is outstanding, I recommend it to all of you who are bored on vacations and days off. Read this book, and trust me; --- it will be outstanding and flabbergasting in many ways.

The Battle for Tomorrow received the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award which is given out to very few gifted authors. Dr. Stuart Jeanne Bramhall earned his award in the category of Juvenile Fiction. Bramhall has not always been an author: he is a retired psychiatrist who is using his exceptional writing skills to bring a very important message to young adult readers. I give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars because of depth of the storytelling and exceptional voice used throughout the book.

Review written by Sam P (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Stuart Bramhall for providing a copy of The Battle for Tomorrow: A Fable for this review.

Have you read The Battle for Tomorrow: A Fable? How would you rate it?

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Review: The Dragon in the Volcano by Kate Klimo

The Dragon in the Volcano by Kate Klimo. A Dragon Keepers Book.

The Dragon in the Volcano by Kate Klimo

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2011
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780375866920

Review: Have you ever had an unusual friend? What about a dragon? The Dragon in the Volcano by Kate Klimo is the 4th installment of the Dragon Keepers series. The main characters are Jessie, Daisy, Emma, and more.

The Dragon in the Volcano is about two cousins, Jesse and Daisy, who are Dragon Keepers, and their pet dragon, Emma. Emma usually disappears when the cousins go to school, but she comes home all of the time. However, one day, when Jesse and Daisy come home from school, they find that Emma is missing! They ask for help from their friends and follow a trail of socks that Emma has left behind that leads into the Fire Realm. The Fire Realm is a magical realm where dragons and fire fairies live. Jesse and Daisy find Emma there, but she wants to mate and live in the Fire Realm. Can the cousins bring Emma back to their home or will they lose Emma in the Fire Realm forever?

The Dragon in the Volcano is an adventurous story! I really liked it because the plot of the book is very well done. When Jessie and Daisy found Emma in a volcano, I thought that she would go with them to her home. But, the plot twist excited me. I didn't know that Emma wanted to stay in the Fire Realm and not go with her friends. It was surprising to me. This book is equally compelling as the Magic Treehouse series. Kids should read this if they like magic, adventure, and lovable characters! The Dragon Keepers series is written for children ages 7 to 12.

Review written by Sharielle (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Dragon in the Volcano for this review.

Have you read The Dragon in the Volcano? How would you rate it?

Monday, November 14, 2011

Review: Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber.

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: October 2001
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547577388

Review: You'll find action explosions and more when you read Au Revoir Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber. It is a fast paced book that will have you hooked from page one all the way to the end. With twists and unexpected turns, Au Revoir Crazy European Chick is exciting and adventurous.

Au Revoir Crazy European Chick begins when foreign exchange student Gobija Zaksauskas asks Perry Stormaries to the prom. Perry doesn't know what he's in for. At the prom he's nearly mugged but amazingly, Gobi hurts the mugger and sends him to the Emergency Room. Subsequently, Perry finds out Gobi is actually an assassin and has five targets she must kill. As a result, this takes them to New York City. Even though Perry doesn't want to go, he follows Gobi. Perry's band is expecting him in New York but Gobi threatens to kill him if he doesn't help her find her targets. Will Perry help Gobi? What will happen to Perry? Find out these answers when you read Au Revoir Crazy European Chick.

Au Revoir Crazy European Chick gets five out of five stars. It has action on every page. This is a great book for people ten and older. You can sometimes relate to the characters and other times you can't because of all the action. Nevertheless, you won't want to miss a page. Because of all the action, you won't put this book down. Schreiber keeps readers on the edge of their seats because of his writing! "The glass shattered when the bomb hit the window" just makes readers get excited! It is great for any occasion, and it can be enjoyed anywhere. If you like action and adventure combined with some awesome espionage, you will want this on your bookshelf TODAY! This is by best-selling author, Joe Schriber, and Au Revoir Crazy European Chick will definitely not disappoint Schriber fans, and it is certain to gain even more fans.

Review written by Max (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick for this review.

Have you read Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick? How would you rate it?

Friday, November 11, 2011

Review: Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull & Kathryn Hewitt

Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull & Kathryn Hewitt. Part of the Lives of the … Series.

Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull & Kathryn Hewitt

Sandpiper
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780152046064

Review: Writing, Writing, Writing! Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies, (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull & Kathryn Hewitt is part of the Lives of the… series. This series' characters are 20 famous writers of varying genre and background.

Lives of the Writers is about what famous writers did when they weren't writing. Some writers that are included in the book are William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and E.B. White, to name just a few. The focus of the book is to mostly show who these writers really were as "people" and what other people thought about them. It lets readers know how they began writing and answers questions about their very lives. Lives of the Writers provides information about their family and their life - from their birth to their death. In a fun way, it helps readers better understand these writers. It shows who they really were before they started writing poems or stories.

I think Lives of the Writers is AMAZING. I love how it shows all about different writers and their lives. I also like the descriptive stories about them. What I like most of all is their interests. They were all very different people and somehow each of them ended up becoming a notable writer. Each writer dealt with many problems in life, and they wrote stories and poetry based on their everyday life which eventually led each writer to become famous worldwide. Oddly enough, many people thought of them as unusual or in some cases, people just plain hated them. I just totally admire how all the craziness in their lives added up to creating a famous writer. An unusual life would equal a story. I think others should really read this book not only because it gives a lot of information about … Lives of the Writers, but it also shows how all the trials in life can come to greatness in this world. I certainly expect to read many more books in this series. I rate this book 5 out of 5. If you like comedies, tragedies and opinions, this is the book for you.

Review written by Anjan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) for this review.

Have you read Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought)? How would you rate it?

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Review: Mistress of the Storm by M. L. Welsh

Mistress of the Storm by M. L. Welsh.

Mistress of the Storm by M. L. Welsh

David Fickling Books
Publication Date: June 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385752442

Review: Have you ever desired to read a book that holds mystery, suspense, action, and fantasy? Well, Mistress of the Storm is the book to read! Mistress of the Storm is written by M.L. Welsh and is about Verity Gallant, just another unpopular girl, until one day when she receives an ancient book from a stranger along with a small, wooden ball. At school Verity has never been very well liked, but when she becomes friends with Henry and Martha, they work together to find out the information behind these mysteries. In their town, Wellow, they uncover little-known history, and the more they know, the more people get involved with the mystery.

Everything in Verity's life is unexpected. She finds out that her mother is pregnant soon after receiving the two gifts. Verity also finds out she's a natural at sailing. She has discovered that stories in her new book are actually true and not just legends. Plus, Verity has been noticing a boy following her. As if that is not enough, in the autumn, her unknown grandmother comes over after hearing about the pregnancy. A story that was written is destined to come true, and Verity has a big part in it. Everything is complicated, but Verity knows she can't give up, because if she does, she could lose her new sister and possibly more. Nothing is as easy as she imagines.

M.L. Welsh is an amazing author and makes you feel almost as if you're a part of the story. The characters are very well described; you could imagine their appearance exactly. The author is very imaginative to make up all of the characters, setting, and plot. The whole story is creative! Points of view are added, apart from Verity's, so readers can see what other think of a particular situation. Mistress of the Storm is very suspenseful and mysterious. Everything you know might be only what you think. Verity learns a lot about life in this book. She learns to sail, to stand up for herself, and to do what she feels is right.

Review written by Kelly (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Mistress of the Storm for this review.

Have you read Mistress of the Storm? How would you rate it?

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Review: The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg

The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg.

The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: October 2011
List Price: $24.99
ISBN-13: 9780547548104

Review: Harris Burdick has cast a long and strange shadow across the reading world, not unlike a man, lit by the moon, hiding in the branches of a tree, staring through a window and holding a rare and sinister object, who cast a long and strange shadow across your bedroom wall last night. And so begins Lemony Snicket's introduction to the long-awaited compilation book that brings some kind of closure to the illustrations that have puzzled readers for more than twenty-five years. The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg is a compendium of 14 amazing stories told by 14 highly-acclaimed authors.

In 1984, Chris Van Allsburg published a collection of illustrations with a most mysterious premise titled The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. This book was merely a collection of some of the most thought-provoking illustrations with a title and subheading. For example, one picture is of a woman getting ready to carve a pumpkin that is glowing. The title is "Just Desert" and the subheading is "She lowered the knife and it grew even brighter." Yes, the word is "desert" NOT "dessert." Teachers have been using The Mysteries of Harris Burdick for over two decades as creative writing prompts and springboards for problem-based learning activities. Now, Chris Van Allsburg has teamed together some of the best writers of this generation to bring words to these pictures. Some of the stories are funny, some are magical, some are thought-provoking, and some are just plain creepy.

The Chronicles of Harris Burdick is amazing. Certainly some stories are better than others; in fact a few are disappointing. But, most stories are simply astounding. As with any short story compilation, readers will prefer certain stories over others. The introduction by Lemony Snicket draws readers in immediately. As he says, "As you reread the stories, stare at the images, and ponder the mysteries of Harris Burdick, you will find yourself in a mystery that joins so many authors and readers together in breathless wonder." Having read the stories as a reader and as a teacher, most stories do not disappoint. After reading "Just Desert" to my 6th grade class on Halloween, they were beyond excited and sufficiently "creeped out" by the end. And, "The Third-Floor Bedroom" is filled with such symbolism and character development that we were able to spend an entire class period analyzing it! Readers have been creating their own stories to accompany the Harris Burdick illustrations, and it is so exciting to finally read what others have seen. Lemony Snicket says it best when he writes "the mysteries of Harris Burdick continue, and if you open this book, you will likely be mystified yourself."

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Chronicles of Harris Burdick for this review.

Have you read The Chronicles of Harris Burdick? How would you rate it?

Monday, November 7, 2011

Review: Gifts from the Gods: Ancient Words & Wisdom from Greek & Roman Mythology by Lise Lunge-Larsen

Gifts from the Gods: Ancient Words & Wisdom from Greek & Roman Mythology by Lise Lunge-Larsen.

Gifts from the Gods: Ancient Words & Wisdom from Greek & Roman Mythology by Lise Lunge-Larsen

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: October 2011
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780547152295

Review: "How dare you shame the gods?" That's what the mortals in ancient Rome and Greece were often told by a god after a foolish thing that they had done. They can never escape from the gods and after they die, they are punished forever. The book, Gifts from the Gods by Lise Lunge Larsen is about words that we use in the present, but originated from ancient Greeks and ancient Romans. It takes the word, tells its definition, uses it in a sentence and then, tells the story of where the word came from. These stories involve the gods and usually a mortal who is foolish and does something they regret.

Gifts from the Gods is a really interesting book about Greek and Roman mythology. I like this book because of the way the author explains the stories and because I really like anything with Greek and Roman mythology. The book is educational, yet fun to read. I also like the book because it is simple, yet complicated. It tells the stories of heroes, gods and mortals. Readers are kept on the edge of their seats wondering what they will do next. The gods could punish the mortals or take pity on them. The hero might successfully battle or might be killed in the fight. The mortal could make a very wise decision or make the most ridiculous decision ever. The book always kept me guessing. It has taught me so many myths and words. I also loved hearing how alert some gods were, while other gods hardly noticed what happened. Some gods were mighty and all powerful, but some were often overlooked. It was intriguing to see how different the gods were from one another. My favorite goddess is Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war strategy and weaving. But the stories are not the only things I liked. The pictures are absolutely amazing. They almost seemed to move! At the end of every story, there is a short section that includes information about the story to help it make more sense.

Gifts from the Gods is a book that you should definitely read if you like mythology. It is a captivating book that I couldn't put down. Literally, I finished the book in a day. The author did an amazing job with this book, and it would satisfy anyone who is looking for a thrilling book. I recommend Gifts from the Gods to anybody, especially if they are interested in mythology. Lise Lunge-Larsen is a really creative author who did an astounding job writing this book. I give it five stars because that's exactly what this book deserves. It kept me hooked, amazed, entranced, etc. This should be read by many people, and I hope that happens. Gifts from the Gods will most definitely catch a reader's eye.

Review written by Abigail (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Gifts from the Gods: Ancient Words & Wisdom from Greek & Roman Mythology for this review.

Have you read Gifts from the Gods: Ancient Words & Wisdom from Greek & Roman Mythology? How would you rate it?

Friday, November 4, 2011

Review: R My Name is Rachel by Patricia Feilly Giff

R My Name is Rachel by Patricia Feilly Giff.

R My Name is Rachel by Patricia Feilly Giff

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: August 2011
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780375838897

Review: Ever wonder what it is like to live in the time of the Depression? Take an adventure with Rachel and learn all about the bitter life concealed in this time of sadness. R My Name is Rachel, By: Patricia Reilly Giff is a stunning book. It is an exquisitely written novel which I was very much pleased to have read.

The character around which the story revolves is Rachel, a brave and book loving girl who lives in the time of the Great Depression. Her family is forced to move away from the city to a lonely farm in the middle of nowhere. When Rachel's father is forced to leave to find work, Rachel finds herself in charge of her two siblings while her father is away from home. She does not expect some of the hardships she will be forced to endure along the way…

I loved R My Name is Rachel for the story keeps readers hooked while they continued wondering how three kids in the middle of nowhere are going to survive alone. This book informs readers of the hardships others had to face during the Depression while using a playful plot to keep the readers' focus. I recommend this book for readers over 8 years old who enjoy historical fiction. The content is appropriate for children and a very fun yet educational read.

Once again Giff has created another genius novel worthy of an award. Like her previous work it is an exceptional read! You will eagerly want to flip pages until you get to the end where the journey ends but as Rachel would say "Keep looking forward."

Review written by Adele (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of R My Name is Rachel for this review.

Have you read R My Name is Rachel? How would you rate it?

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Review: Celia and the Fairies by Karen McQuestion

Celia and the Fairies by Karen McQuestion.

Celia and the Fairies by Karen McQuestion

AmazonEncore
Publication Date: November 2010
List Price: $7.95
ISBN-13: 9781935597285

Review: Have you ever been told stories, but cannot decide if they are true? In Celia and the Fairies , by Karen McQuestion, for Celia it's a whole different story, when her grandmother tells her stories about fairies from the Watchful Woods behind their house that she met at her age. Some of the amazing characters in this book include Mira, a fairy her grandmother saved from a shadow thing disguise as a coyote one day when she was Celia's age, Celia's bossy friend and neighbor, Paul, and his mean Aunt Vicky, owner of McClutchy Toys, which is trying to buy Celia's dad's toy company, Lovejoy World.

After, Celia hears her grandmother's stories, she sees the mysterious lights supposedly of the fairies and has dreams of Mira, exactly as her grandmother has described, telling her, "Vicky McClutchy must be dealt with, do you hear me? She's up to some evil, and you're the only one who can stop her, Celia." She is told to bring the flute out to the triple trees during the day where she will get further explanations. When she tells her grandmother, her grandmother shows her where she has hidden the magical flute, given to her by the fairies, that will grant the user one wish as long as it is not against the three rules. But for some reason there is only half of it, and she has to get the other half back from none other than Vicky McClutchy. Will Celia get the rest of the flute in time, and make the right wish to stop Vicky's evil plans?

Celia and the Fairies is an amazing book for all fantasy readers. I loved especially the suspense that kept me interested all the way. For example, it is especially suspenseful when Celia not only has to find the rest of the flute but must find a way to save her house. I also liked the detail the author put into the story, like how Mira is described from Celia's grandmother's past, "I saw her clearly, her face just like a human girl's, her wings fluttering as quickly as a hummingbird's, her dress shimmering like silk," and later in Celia's dream, "A fairy girl, a dazzling beauty with luminous wings and a dress trimmed in ruby colored jewels, fluttered inches from her face." I think this book would be a good book for all fantasy lovers regardless of gender or age. In all, Celia and the Fairies is a great read for just about anyone who enjoys fantasy at any time and deserves 5 out of 5 stars.

Review written by Matthew (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Karen McQuestion for providing a copy of Celia and the Fairies for this review.

Have you read Celia and the Fairies? How would you rate it?

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Review: The Chamber of Five by Michael Harmon

The Chamber of Five by Michael Harmon.

The Chamber of Five by Michael Harmon

Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375866449

Review: Money. Money equals power, and power equals control, Jason, and our government makes sure it stays in the right hands. . . . The lines of power must be maintained, and we are the inheritors of that power, for the good of those who don't know any better. It's why we exist. It's why you were chosen. But, seventeen-year-old Jason Weatherby in Michael Harmon's novel, The Chamber of Five, doesn't agree, and he risks everything to prove that power belongs in the hands of many - not few.

Jason attends Lambert School for the Gifted, but he knows exactly why he was accepted, and it's not because he is anywhere near "gifted", unless that is if they consider his father's bank account as a measure of his IQ. As an influential senator, Jason's father has made sure his son has been always offered the best money could buy. But Jason wants none of it. As Jason struggles with an abusive father and a post in the Chamber of Five (the most influential decision-making body in the school) - a post he never wanted, he also grapples with his desire to change the Lambert School at it's very core. When Jason is given his task to "prove" his loyalty to the Chamber, he knows they have gone too far. Rather than destroy another's life as the Chamber has requested, Jason works from the inside out to destroy the very foundation of his school. He risks everything, including his relationship with his father and even nearly his life, when he sides with those who are truly gifted to stand up against the leaders of the school who are merely monetarily gifted.

The Chamber of Five is a fast-paced novel about the dangers of privilege. The leader of the Chamber, Carter, paints an alarming picture of a corrupt American government. He points out that "Only men who owned land could vote when our country came into being. A small percentage of the population controlled our 'republic' until the law was changed, and it's been a struggle ever since. Our forefathers knew that to give power to the man with nothing would be the beginning of the end for America." His words force the reader to really think about the lines that exist between the rich and the poor, between the leaders and the followers. Put in the context of a high school government, Harmon takes a certainly disturbing concern and brings it to an understandable and poignant level for middle and high school readers. The ultimate message revealed after Jason's quest is an important message for all readers. Certainly mature middle school and high school readers will finish The Chamber of Five with a new understanding, and possibly new fear of politics. Harmon has superbly brought the dark side of politics to the youth of today. By doing so, he might be positively influencing the politics of tomorrow.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Chamber of Five for this review.

Have you read The Chamber of Five? How would you rate it?