Review: Still Life by Jacqueline West

Still Life by Jacqueline West. Volume 5 in The Books of Elswhere Series.

Dial
Publication Date: June 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780803736917

Review: A fantastic book series by Jacqueline West will leave you flipping the pages. The Books of Elsewhere: Still Life has a special twist that interests the readers. Olive's adventures will lead you to the next book. Olive is the girl in the story who is uncovering all the secrets behind Elsewhere; she is the character in this book that is the adventurer. This book focuses on a woman named Annabelle McMartin. Everyone knows she is dead, but Olive is determined that there is a big secret behind all of this.

Olive takes a trip to the local art museum; where she sees something, which is the most remarkable thing she has ever seen. This amazing sight takes Olive on a fascinating, unexpected journey. She uncovers secrets of Morton's mysterious vanished parents and finds out from the deepest darkest roots of Old Man McMartin's strange world.

For Still Life though, you need to finish the rest of the Elsewhere series before reading it. I haven't read this book series, so I didn't have too much of an idea who some these characters were. This book would be very exciting for the ones who have read so far the series.<.br>
Nonetheless, in this final book, Olive uncovers the full story of Elsewhere and the destruction of Elsewhere itself. Olive risks her own ability for the people of whom she loves. How long will she keep up with this? What will happen to her and what might she get herself into?

Review written by Khushali (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Penguin Young Readers Group for providing a copy of Still Life for this review.

Have you read Still Life? How would you rate it?

Review: The Tyrant's Daughter by J. C. Carleson

The Tyrant's Daughter by J. C. Carleson.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2014
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780449809976

Review: Are you interested the Middle East and conflict? Then The TyrantÕs Daughter by J.C. Carleson is the book for you. The main character in the book is Laila.

Laila lives like royalty until the day her father dies when sheÊmoves to America and everything changes. In her home country, her father had run the country, but when she, her mother and her little brother Batsien moved to America she hasnothing. Laila eventually meets friends and her life gets better. These men visit her house and then her mother starts getting gifts and money. Then she hears about these poor people who are supplying money for them. She knows she has to stop this plot before it is to late. She also meets a guy and wonders if he is right for her. Will Laila stops her mothers plan in time? Will she get the guy that she likes?

The TyrantÕs Daughter is a book that boys and girls ages 10-12 will enjoy. The book has some high level words. Boys may not be as interested in all the romance, however a girl might enjoy this element. The plot has elements of war, action, mystery, and romance. The storyline is good because you can see how the main character is feeling throughout the story. Some parts of the story are a little hard to understand. The TyrantÕs Daughter has a complex plot, and sometimes the events arenÕt always clear. The characters however are easy to understand, and their motives are clear. The TyrantÕs Daughter also gives insight into a world that is foreign to so many Americans. It is a good choice for a thought provoking novel.

Review written by Elizabeth (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Tyrant's Daughter for this review.

Have you read The Tyrant's Daughter? How would you rate it?

Review: The True Adventures of Nicolo Zen by Nnicholas Christopher

The True Adventures of Nicolo Zen by Nnicholas Christopher.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2014
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375867385

Review: Recently orphaned Nicol˜ Zen plays the clarinet beautifully,and he lives in an orphanageÉfor girls. Adriana is a girl with whom Nicol˜ falls in love with. She might be the long lost heir of the duke. Nicholas Christopher tells their story in The True Adventures of Nicol˜ Zen.

In The True Adventures of Nicol˜ Zen, Nicol˜ is just a regular boy until a disease wipes out his mother, father, and two sisters. He gets into a music-based orphanage for girls and soon falls in love with a girl named Adriana who may just be the heir of a famous duke. He also befriends a girl named Julietta who goes missing, and Nicol˜ gets worried. He uncovers a dark secret about the people in charge of the orphanage. Will he ever find Julietta? Can he keep Adriana safe? Will Adriana ever find out about her true past?

Nicholas Christopher has used his choice of characters hold the story together. I enjoyed the way he created each character to relate to each other. He makes people feel sorry for Nicol˜ and the other main characters just by using their back-stories and what happens to them in the story. But although it is well written, Nicholas Christopher fails to use sophisticated vocabulary for the advanced level of readers. He improves this with chemistry between Nicol˜ and Adriana. This book is recommended for middle school readers

Review written by Jarred (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The True Adventures of Nicolo Zen for this review.

Have you read The True Adventures of Nicolo Zen? How would you rate it?

Review: Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385743297

Review: Dinah's life seems to fall apart when her cousin, Claire is driven to slitting her wrists leaving her in a coma fighting for her life. In Premeditated by Josin L. McQueen shows readers just how far someone is willing to go because of love.

Dinah is a high school student with one goal in mind. She wants to take down the boy who drove Claire to attempt suicide changing everything about herself, Dinah sheds the piercings, dark hair, and clothes in exchange for a private school girl, uniform, and blonde hair. Dinah's determined to infiltrate Claire's school, which is made possible because Dinah is staying with her aunt and uncle as she awaits Claire's recovery. As Dinah becomes one of "them", she finds everything is not always as it seems.

Premeditated is a clever book incorporating unique well-developed characters. Dinah's friends from the past, as well as her new private school friends, come together to create a dynamic blending of personalities. Dinah's character in particular is witty, wise, and at the same time very self-conscious and sensitive. She refers to one girl as "Abigail-Not Abby" throughout the book as one example of her wry humor. The plot development is also strong, leading readers in unpredictable directions. Aside from a slow, unclear beginning, Premonition is a book that will ring home for many adolescent readers. However, without reading the book jacket, readers will spend the first portion of the book confused. As one who does not read the inside flap, it took quite a while to understand Dinah's motivation. The inside flap should really be the first page of the book. Other than that, the endearing characters and plot development will keep readers enticed to the very end.

Review written by Margo Nauert.

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

Have you read Premeditated? How would you rate it?

Review: Road Rash by Mark Huntley Parsons

Road Rash by Mark Huntley Parsons.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385753426

Review: Life in an awesome band isn't as awesome as it seems. Road Rash by Mark Huntley Parsons has Zach Ryan, a gifted teenage drummer, as the main character.

After being dropped from his band, a 17 year-old drummer, Zach Ryan, gets the chance to go on tour with the professionals. It feels great for him at first, but it becomes one tough time. He is in control of the drums, but off-stage the rivalries in his new group become hard to deal with. And the girl he left behind is now talking about another guy.

Overall, I found Road Rash to be decent, but there are some aspects that made this book less enjoyable. One reason I didn't enjoy Road Rash was because it seemed like it was full of stereotypes. For example, the way characters text to each other in the beginning was stereotypical. The book had them texting common abbreviations such as "thx" for thanks, or "u" instead of you. Also, the overuse of swearing was unnecessary. It felt fine at first, but then it just became old and used more for shock than literary value. However, even though I didn't enjoy Road Rash that much, I'm sure someone a bit younger than me might enjoy it- without the swearing.

Road Rash also had some aspects to it that made me enjoy it. One reason why I enjoyed Road Rash is that the book seemed realistic. While reading Road Rash, I felt like the story could have been real because of the character traits and storyline. All the characters seem believable. Another reason I enjoyed Road Rash was the storyline. I enjoy how things seem to be looking up for Zach, but then they completely backfire on him. Zach's life is going up and down. So in the end, Road Rash is a decent novel if you can get past all the stereotypes and unnecessary language.

Review written by Josh (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Road Rash for this review.

Have you read Road Rash? How would you rate it?

Review: The League by Thatcher Heldring

The League by Thatcher Heldring.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2013
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385741811

Review: Suspense, action, inspiring characters. These are the things I look for in a book, but never found in the book The League by Thatcher Heldring. I found the book to be boring, never got engaged in the characters, and couldn't wait for it to end.

With the school year almost over, and summer just around the corner, every one in Pilchuk is excited and ready for summer. Everyone except Wyatt Parker. Wyatt Parker is in 8th and has always followed the rules. Even if it means getting picked on by bullies, and disregarded by girls. Does he want it this way? Would you? It has finally gone too far when Spencer Randell, the school bully, takes his lunch money for the last time. Wyatt is sick of it and decides to toughen up during the summer by playing football. The only problem is that his parents have signed him up for golf camp. Golf camp is the last place Wyatt wants to be. Without football, Wyatt would continue his life of being bullied and being ignored. But when Wyatt fails to plead his case to his parents about football, his brother informs him about concealed league The League of Pain. Can Wyatt keep the league a secret and lie, stop getting bullied and neglected, or better yet, survive in The League of Pain?

While reading The League I found myself wondering where the climax was. To me the book repeated the same cycle. I think this because the book repeated fake going to golf, play football, go home. There was no suspense or foreshadowing in between chapters. For example ÒI wondered if Brian Braun's parents entered him in the tournament without askingÓ and ÒI set the phone down and spent the next 20 minutes trying to spin football on my finger. I would recommend this book for younger children from 4th to 5th grade. I think this because there were no sophisticated words, or hard plot. Also, there were no inspiring characters in the book. I think this because in the story, Wyatt starts to steal from stores. He also lies to his parents, friends, and the people of Pilchuk. Even if he is trying to do what he wants to, I think lying and stealing is the wrong message. Overall, after reading The League I think the story is dull, with little suspense and action, and should be read by 4th and 5th graders.

Review written by Sam (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The League? How would you rate it?

Review: Catch Rider by Jennifer H. Lyne

Catch Rider by Jennifer H. Lyne.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547868714

Review: A catch rider is a horse rider who can ride many kinds of horses. This is the kind of rider Sid wants to be. Sid is the main character of Catch Rider, by Jennifer H. Lyne and it tells Sid's story trying to reach the top.

Sid loves horses and wants to be a catch rider. She spends a lot of time with her Uncle Wayne, who trades horses and works and a horse stable for wealthy people. Sid goes to work with her uncle to make some money, and there she meets rude kids who she feels don't care for their horses. One day she is the first to ride a new fancy horse, and the trainers think she is great! She is so excited that she gets to enter a show with that horse. Will this be the beginning of many shows for Sid, or is it only a once in a lifetime chance?

Catch Rider is a perfect book for horse lovers, since there are a lot of horses. In fact if you are an animal lover, you may have a connection with the main character Sid since she cares a lot about horses. Because of a violent scene, the book is probably best for younger children to pass by even though it is short, which might be preferred for some younger readers. The story is realistic fiction so it is easy to relate with. However_beginning is a little slow. When the book does get going, it is a fairly good book. So, if you're an animal lover check out Catch Rider.

Review written by Ashley (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin for providing a copy of Catch Rider for this review.

Have you read Catch Rider? How would you rate it?

Review: Lara's Gift by Annemarie O'Brien

Lara's Gift by Annemarie O'Brien.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780307931740

Review: Have you ever loved something so much you couldn't let go? Everyone experiences this feeling, even Lara, the main character of Lara's Gift. Lara's Gift is written by Annemarie O'Brien. The main character of Lara's Gift is Lara. She has something special that she just can't give up and won't give up. She will try her best to keep it, but there is a chance she might loos that one special thing she has.

Lara is a young girl who cares for dogs and loves them, but when her father tells her once she is grown up and married, she can't care for dogs any more because that is a job not fit for women. Lara is upset. She has a dog of her own and enjoys spending time with her dog Zar. Zar and Lara are inseparable. When Lara and her friend Alexander want Zar to go hunting, Lara's father won't let her until he's listened to her beg for so long that he gives in. After the trip, Lara's father announces that he wants to have a son, so that he can pass the dogs on to his son. This devastates Lara especially after her father's wishes come true. Over time, Lara's father sees how much Lara loves the dogs, and in the end he does something shocking that could surprise and impact Lara's future.

I liked Lara's Gift because it showed how one girl loved something special to her, and she got to keep it. I found it kind of ironic because there is a saying that's says, "If you love something let it go," and Lara doesn't let it go; she keeps it. Possibly a girl might enjoy this book more than a boy because it shows how one girl doesn't give up on trying to keep something she loved. It gives readers the courage to do something they have always wanted to do. But boys might also enjoy reading it. Lara's Gift is a good choice for a 2nd grader or a 3rd grader.

Review written by Danessa (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Lara's Gift for this review.

Have you read Lara's Gift? How would you rate it?

Review: The Broken Circle: Yarns of the Knitting Witches by Cheryl Potter

The Broken Circle: Yarns of the Knitting Witches by Cheryl Potter. Book 1 in the Potluck Yarn Trilogy.

Potter Press
Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780985635008

Review: The Broken Circle by Cheryl Potter is book one of the Potluck Yarn Trilogy.

The Broken Circle takes place in the "Middlelands," a place full of war and fear. The Potluck Witches, who put their magic into their yarn and the clothes they make from it, are persecuted, but a growing darkness motivates them to join together to summon their magic to fight evil and save their world.

Although I sometimes felt like some deeper explaining was needed, there were times in this book where I was partially interested. Even though I didn't enjoy The Broken Circle, I'm sure that a girl would be interested in reading it. Like I said before, I found The Broken Circle confusing at times. Such as the beginning, I didn't know who any of the characters were and why they were significant to the plot, in fact, at times I didn't really understand the plot. The author didn't explain these two very well. However, as the book progressed, I began to slowly understand. I would defiantly not recommend this book to any of my friends, because the style is more for teen girls. However, when the crystals were thrown in the air, I almost felt as if I was there. So in the end, The Broken Circle wasn't the perfect book for me, but would most likely be enjoyed by other audiences.

Review written by Josh (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Strategies for providing a copy of The Broken Circle: Yarns of the Knitting Witches for this review.

Have you read The Broken Circle: Yarns of the Knitting Witches? How would you rate it?

Review: The Enchanted Attic: Wrestling with Tom Sawyer by L.L. Samson

The Enchanted Attic: Wrestling with Tom Sawyer by L.L. Samson.

ZonderKidz
Publication Date: August 2013
List Price: $7.99
ISBN-13: 9780310740575

Review: If you want to read an interesting, book The Enchanted Attic, Wrestling With Tom Sawyer by L.L. Sampson is about how two boys (Joe and Tom Sawyer) from the past travel through a circle and meet Linus and Ophelia Easterday, and their best friend Walter. This meeting begins an adventure like no other.

In the book, Linus and Ophelia Easterday and their best friend Walter find a secret underground tunnel in the basement of their own school. They go into the tunnel and find the circle É and Tom Sawyer. Tom falls in love with Ophelia instantly. After being exposed to a foreign, modern world, the group travel back into the tunnels to solve a murder mystery. After near-death situations, mysterious surroundings, and inner strife, Tom and Joe realize their time is nearly up. Can they solve the mystery and make it back to the circle in time?

This book is for approximately 11yrs and up. To read the full book, go to your public or school library, check it out and enjoy!

Review written by Tommy (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Zonderkidz for providing a copy of The Enchanted Attic: Wrestling with Tom Sawyer for this review.

Have you read The Enchanted Attic: Wrestling with Tom Sawyer? How would you rate it?

Review: The Winter of Robots by Kurtis Scaletta

The Winter of Robots by Kurtis Scaletta.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780307931863

Review: What was that, asks Jim.

"What are you talking about?" asks Oliver. I bet you've had a time when you felt that you absolutely needed to know something. The Winter of the Robots is an adventure, with a lot of questioning and teamwork. Written by The Minnesota Reader's Choice Award winner, Kurtis Scaletta, this book is sure to pique your curiosity.

The Winter of the Robots is about a middle school kid named Jim. He has always done the science fair with is friend, Oliver and they have always built a robot. But after Jim is tired of being the little helper, he dumps his best friend and chooses a girl named Rocky instead. Jim and Rocky decide to do their project on otters, and they spot some by the river that is by the old abandoned Nomicon site. When they go set up cameras in the abandoned site, they find out it is not really abandoned. Something is living in this junkyard-something big, heavy and who totally does not want them visiting its junkyard. They find out they are fighting robots, and they know that the only thing strong to beat a robot is another robot. Can Jim, Rocky and Oliver put their feelings aside and defeat these massive robots, with Oliver's smarts, Rocky's Skills and Jim's Programming?

Winter Of The Robots is a very well written book. Scaletta has packed this book filled with so much action at every corner that you are just dying to see what is next. I never could put this down; it was so fascinating and so entertaining to see what would happen next. I also like how Scaletta got into the whole robot thing and made the characters knowledgeable using robot vocabulary like ultra sonic sensors, connector cables and so much more. He also did a good job with description, for example when he described the robot in Jim's perspective, he used really descriptive words like "intense" that made me actually get a clear picture of what they are going up against. The Winter of the Robots has a little bit for everyone, it has adventure, fantasy, robots, and middle school students are especially able to relate to concepts in the book.

Review written by Ian (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Winter of Robots? How would you rate it?

Review: Dead River by Cyn Balog

Dead River by Cyn Balog.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385741583

Review: We were spending a weekend on the DeadÉThe Dead River, I thought it was going to be just usÉ I was wrong." This was the hook that brought me to this book. Once I read this short little sentence, no other book got in the way. Cyn Balog has written other books, however this book is not in a series. All though I personally wish it was; I just want more to happen to Kiandra, who used to be a normal 17-year-old girl.

The book takes us through what seemed like an ordinary 17-year-old New Jersey girl's life, a girl who wants to go to prom with her boyfriend Justin. The reader learns that she actually wanted to the Dead River with three of her friends. It all starts as a normal weekend, then her boyfriend drops a bomb shell on her---"I kissed her, I kissed Angela" (Kiandra's, "best" friend) "What" I say, "he doesn't repeat it, he doesn't have to." Well that sets her off, and she runs out of the door. When she finally comes back, it is very, very late; Justin and Angela start to worry. Kiandra steps into the room, but for some reason the two don't notice her. Kiandra screams and screams at them, but they don't hear her. Finally, Angela stands and walks toward her, walks right through her. "I was freaking out. What just happened to me!"

We break out the woods, near the service entry to the building. I'm about to say that this looks like a good place to dump the body when a voice calls, "Stop!"É I have one word for Cyn Balog's Dead River, AMAZING! It is exceptional! I am surprised how much I like this story, because, in my opinion, it is a little boring in the beginning, the reason being that it is just about prom. Then, on their vacation weekend, the action starts to pick up. Kids and ten and older, boys and girls should really read this book. I am thinking this way because, in the beginning of the book it's all about prom and girls would generally enjoy that part. I believe boys would I hope really enjoy the rest of the book, it would probably be way too scary for kids under that age group, but a thrilling book for people ten and older. Some reasons for my thinking are the book mentions evil sprits and ghosts. Now I am sure that is fine with the target audience, but for little kids that might be too scary. In my opinion this book deserves a five star rating for an excellent story line, plot, characters, and fright. Overall, this is an extraordinary book written by a talented author. Most importantly, readers will want to find out what happens on the Dead River!

Review written by Jake (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Dead River for this review.

Have you read Dead River? How would you rate it?

Review: The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick

The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick.

Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2013
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781616202200

Review: The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick takes Edward, Danton, Brigit, and Feenix on a magical adventure full of thrilling suspense in the middle of a cold Brooklyn, New York winter. Their unusual adventure began simply as a science class project for Edward, but soon it turns into a disaster that may end the world if Edward does not return the "time fetch" to the Keeper. To get to the Keeper, Edward and his friends have to gather clues, get through difficult obstacles, and keep the time fetch safe from the Unraveler. If the Unraveler gets the time fetch, he will use it to end humanity!

One cold winter morning, a teenage boy named Edward realizes he needs to bring a glacial moraine rock for his science project. On the way to school, he desperately looks for a rock and finds the time fetch that looks like an ordinary rock. He does not realize the magical powers of this rock as he awakens the foragers living inside this rock with his touch. The foragers will eat up time due to the early awakening caused by Edward. If the time fetch rock is not returned to the Keeper, the foragers will eat "their way through the earth, leaving behind a growing snakelike crevasse" and the whole world will "fall away into a bottomless nothing." As Edward and his friends are pulled in a mind twisting adventure, they must keep the fetch away from the Unraveler who will use it to end the world. Unfortunately, time is getting eaten up quickly and they must work together to find clues that lead them to the Keeper. Will they return it to the keeper or will the Unraveler get hold of it? And will time and the world get destroyed? The Time Fetch is an extremely good book. The author leaves her audience hanging at every page in this mind twisting adventure with magic at every corner. I really like how all of the main characters came to know each other because they were trying to save one another. For example, Feenix was about to get eaten by ugly, evil witches, and Danton, Brigit, and Edward came in at the last second and pulled Feenix out of the witches reach. I also really like when the Unraveler was trying to hypnotize them. While Edward, Danton, and Feenix were trying to snap out of the spell, Brigit was the only one strong enough not to get effected by the spell. As a middle school reader, I would rate this book with 4 1/2 stars only because some parts of the story were somewhat confusing and random events happened. For example, while they were running for their lives they suddenly became older and taller. Danton realizes this as he says to Feenix, "I think that you are 4 inches taller than you usually are." I say that this book is meant mainly for boys because of the frightening and death related chapters. Many juicy details are provided while keeping the thrilling suspense adventurous for the reader. For instance, Òthe bakery collapsed, and all that remained was a smoky dustÓ is the author's excellent attempt to provide very descriptive details about the ruins of the buildings and the houses. This book has lots of violence with some very frightening moments and the mention of blood in a few of the chapters. Even the back cover of the book states "This is a dangerous time." Along with the violence, this book has some advanced vocabulary that is age appropriate for 10 years old and older. Children under 10 would not be able to fully understand this story. For this reason, I recommend the minimum audience age for this book be 10 years of age. Overall, The Time Fetch is a very interesting book, and I highly recommend it!

Review written by Mihir (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Algonquin Young Readers for providing a copy of The Time Fetch for this review.

Have you read The Time Fetch? How would you rate it?

Review: Revenge by Gabrielle Lord

Revenge by Gabrielle Lord. A Conspiracy 365 Novel.

Kane Miller
Publication Date: March 2013
List Price: $5.99
ISBN-13: 9781610671606

Review: "There's another one! There's another one!" Conspiracy 365, one of the best middle-grade/young adult mystery series to be written in recent years has added another installment, Revenge, by Gabrielle Lord. Revenge takes off where the original series stopped. Cal has come out of his 365 days on the run and is trying to acclimate himself to "normal" life. Unfortunately the press makes that difficult. Told through the eyes of Boges, Revenge brings Cal's greatest adversary back to the forefront and engages Cal and his friends in another fight for their lives.

When Cal receives a mysterious not on his pillow, a sense of dread fills his soul. "30" is all it reads. When Cal's friends arrive at his house for movie night, they find that he's gone and they know right away that it's not over. Hiding from Cal's mom and the police, Boges, Winter, and Ryan are thrust into the most frightening 30 days of their lives.

The original Conspiracy 365 series is unbelievably gripping - propelling readers to get through the twelve books in record time. Revenge, though a good book, doesn't have that same effect. Whether it's the fact that it's told through Boges' eyes or the sense that there's no way any of this would really happen, Revenge falls short of the expectations of Conspiracy 365 fans. That being said, Lord does an exceptional job of bring the readers up to speed with what happened for the last twelve months of Cal's life without it seeming tedious, making it possible for Revenge to be read independent of the series. However, that is not recommended. It would be preferred that Revenge be a longer book to allow for a more developed plot and potential to build suspense. All in all, Revenge is a good book, but it's just not a great book. Readers of the Conspiracy 365 series should definitely pick up Revenge, but don't hold it to the same expectations.

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

We would like to thank Kane Miller for providing a copy of Revenge for this review.

Have you read Revenge? How would you rate it?

Review: Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vest, Sutures, and Parachute Rope by Bridget Heos

Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vest, Sutures, and Parachute Rope by Bridget Heos. A Scientists in the Field Book.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: February 2013
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780547681269

Review: I'm sure you remember the movie Spiderman. If you have watched this movie, you have to remember his spider webs and how strong they were! Well, how realistic is Spiderman? Can a web really be that strong? If you want to know the answers, then you should read Stronger Than Steel written by Bridget Heos. This book will explain about spider webs; how they are made, what they really are, and what other animal can make them.

The whole book begins with one spider called the golden orb weaver spider. Readers learn how the male spider is much smaller than the female spider and that the female is the only one who spins silk. Throughout the rest of the book, readers will learn everything you ever wanted to know about spiders and their silk.

Overall Stronger than Steel is not as interesting as I had expected. I prefer action, which is not typically found in nonfiction books. However, as a nonfiction book, this is exciting and filled with a lot of valuable information. It is a good book for schools to have on hand for fun reading, but also to be used as a research tool.

Review written by Gavin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vest, Sutures, and Parachute Rope for this review.

Have you read Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vest, Sutures, and Parachute Rope? How would you rate it?

Review: Fast and Furious: On Land, In the Air, On the Water by Ticktock

Fast and Furious: On Land, In the Air, On the Water by Margaret Parrish.

Octopus Publishing Group
Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $9.99
ISBN-13: 9781848987333

Review: Vroom Vroom, Whoosh Whoosh, Pshh Pshh is what I hear and see when I read Fast and Furious by Tick Tock Publishers, a descriptive and informative book where readers learn about radical planes, rapid cars or motorcycles, and rocket-fast boats.

The book includes exciting facts about major mods of transportation. In example the F-117A Nighthawk or the bandit, a plane that is made to jam enemy radar signals and for a fact its engine would let it go to a speed of Mach 1! Also from the many cars comes the powerful Bugatti Veyron 16.4, a car that could actually fly if it weren't for clever aerodynamics. It may seem dangerous since it can go faster than 250 mph but thanks to safety technology you are secure. Or maybe you might like boats more like the gigantic Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier which is one the biggest warship ever built and can hold up about a small town and this still doesn't even include pilots or soldiers, also this ship doesn't need to be refueled for 20 years and can be used for 50 years. These are just some of the amazing facts it gives about these vehicles. Fast and Furious won't make you be bored after ten minutes since it's short like any other vehicle book because of its variety that includes these, and other planes, automobiles, or boats.

Fast and Furious is great for early elementary students because of its action-packed vehicles. It's exactly what a little boy would adore. Also all the information which it gives, for example on all the pages it includes all its statistics and facts, it also includes eye-popping pictures, which grasp what it is trying to say, also the book includes many descriptive and helpful words {i.e. example the plane goes faster than the speed of sound or the ship can hold up to a town and more!} that lets you see the picture clearly and understand which helps kids bring their imagination and reading skills to full extent, and it captures attention without the obvious and typical unnecessary violence. On the other hand though the vocabulary is to challenging for the intended reader, for instance Mach 1 or stats, and there weren't more illustrations of soaring planes going into action in an emergency or a rescue boat out at sea which would also add to the excitement. However, overall this is a successfully written book for the young readers.

Review written by Tej (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Ticktock for providing a copy of Fast and Furious: On Land, In the Air, On the Water for this review.

Have you read Fast and Furious: On Land, In the Air, On the Water? How would you rate it?

Review: Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives by Elizabeth Rusch

Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives by Elizabeth Rusch. A Scientists in the Field Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780547503509

Review: It begins when a deadly sleeping volcano finally awakes, causing fatalities of over 20,000 victims. Scientists around the globe know something could have been done to warn people. Something has to be done. Elizabeth Rusch provides descriptive wording and text in Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives - an informative book in which two daring scientists develop an organization designed to evacuate a town when eruptions are imminent. Tom Uhlman brings the book to life with his intriguing photos.

Sleeping giants and lofty volcanoes are dotted all over the world, capable of wiping out businesses and entire towns and villages. VDAP, a small group of scientists, work 24/7 to protect lives and people from the colossal volcanoes on islands, continents, and other large bodies of land. They must be decisive. A mistake can mean death. Andy, a curious and brave volcanologist, must work with the other scientists to study volcanoes, and save lives if an eruption happens. To do this, they must be risky. They risk placing seismographs on the volcano. Evacuation holds it's own risk; the stress on the people may be too much. With all the danger and fear, entire cities are in their hands, now, and it will be their responsibility save them before the volcanoes destroy them.

Although this sounds like a fascinating book, some readers may not be enticed by Eruption!. It's disappointing how the author tries to make a story merge with the nonfiction information. It could have been engaging, but it detracts from the nonfiction. For some readers, however, the story might make the book more engaging. Something that is appealing is how Tom Uhlman's pictures bring the book to life. Andy and John are brave for studying the volcanoes, and their work can certainly be respected. The best audience for this book would range from 9 through 15. Overall, Eruption! is good for people who don't expect much action, but this book won't captivate others who want a lot of information about volcanoes or for students needing some research.

Review written by Vincent (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin for providing a copy of Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives for this review.

Have you read Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives? How would you rate it?

Review: Strangelets by Michele Gagnon

Strangelets by Michele Gagnon.

Soho Press
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9781616951375

Review: Three unconnected teens around the world plunge into death at precisely the same time find themselves in an abandoned hospital with no understanding of their whereabouts or how to leave. Strangelets by Michelle Gagnon explores an alternate reality in which the earth has been nearly destroyed, and a horror awaits those that try to fight the evil that lies beyond the hospital doors.

Sophie, Declan, and Anat awake in separate rooms in a stark hospital that has long since been abandoned. Discovering that three other teens are also held hostage in the hospital, they all set out together to find a way past locked doors. Once they reach the outside world, they find that it is not what they expect. Instead of the green, grassy earth with wildlife and beautiful architecture, they are faced with destruction. It becomes abundantly clear that something or someone has brought them together, but why? Off in the distance, a horrifying sound emanates. It is the sound of a beast - a beast with the power to kill and the need to consume human flesh. Trying to make sense of their purpose and the world that surrounds them, the six teens head out on a terrifying quest for answers. But, will the answers be ones they want to hear?

Michelle Gagnon has written an intriguing alternate-reality novel. Teens will find themselves identifying with the main characters who experience the breadth of human emotions as they seek answers. A love triangle, a boy seeking his father, and angry teens just wanting to return to their real lives are easy characters to appeal to the target audience. Some characters however are nearly annoying. It doesn't take long before readers wish the beasts would remove Anat from the story. Undoubtedly, Gagnon created Anat to add dissonance between characters. But, the dissonance may have been too much. Additionally, Gagnon creates a world that can only be found in a nightmare. Readers will find themselves gripping onto the book as they forge ahead into the wee hours of the night awaiting the anticipated moment when all the questions will be answered and life will return to normal. A complex science lies at the center of the explanation, which might be confusing for readers; however, it is the only logical way to explain their fate. Strangelets is the epitome of creepy and weird, and it is perfect for teens who enjoy reading horror novels that stretch beyond reality.

Review written by (th grade student).

We would like to thank Soho Press for providing a copy of Strangelets for this review.

Have you read Strangelets? How would you rate it?

Review: Magicalamity by Kate Saunders

Magicalamity by Kate Saunders.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: December 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385740777

Review: Fus Ro Dah! You shout as your voice and your spell knock your enemy off of their feet. Have you ever dreamed about being able to fly? Having a magic wand and spells? If so then you have dreamt about being a fairy, something that you don't see everyday. Magicalamity by Kate Saunders is about a time in a boy named Tom's life where he saw fairies everyday, without knowing it. Then one day he saw his dad in trouble in a different world called the "Realm." Although he didn't know it at the time, he was going to have to save his dad. The way he was going to do this was by exploring a world he never knew existed; he was brought into the line of fairy work. Lorna, his one nice fairy godmother, was with him each and every day but she wasn't the only one. They were going to have to get help from his other two godmothers. They eventually agree and they travel to and from the fairy world trying to get help for Tom's dad. When the time comes for Toms' dad's court trial. The people helping Tom have to find some way to save his dad. They encountered many twisted events and characters along the way, like Tom's cousin. I won't spoil it because then there wouldn't be a point of reading the book. Even so, there seemed to be a few flaws and minor issues I had with the book.

Don't be fooled by the magical, nice, little fairies that fly around during the book. What I mean by that is that the book has multiple instances of adult suggested events in the book. I would say that the intended audience is about 11 to 15 years old. The reason for this is because although it doesn't go to far with these topics, it has some implied swearing and some of the people in the realm are nude, including the main antagonist. These things aren't too much of a big deal because it is only a book but it can definitely create an image in the reader's head. One of the issues I had with this book is the lack of backstory for the parents. I mean, you hear a ton about Tom's dad because he is the person who has to be saved, but the mom is kind of nowhere. You hear that the mom is safe and hidden from the antagonists but that 's pretty much it. I would have liked to know more about the mom maybe at the end or beginning of the book. Another issue I had with the book is that some of the parts, logically, didn't make much sense. Now yes, this is a book about fairies and magical realm so it is all fantasy but even so, some things didn't add up to me. For example, there is one part in the book where the main antagonist is nude. While he is nude he gets mad and pulls out his gun off of his nude body. They say it was hidden but I was left wondering, "How did that happen?" He could've used an invisible spell on it but the book said "pulled out" which made it sound like it was a real gun and didn't have a spell on it. Like I said, minor issues but they still stood out to me. Overall I think that the book is a good book. Definitely detailed and exciting, but it also has a few minor flaws and confusing moments. It is easy to read and appealing to its audience.

Review written by Marat (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Magicalamity? How would you rate it?

Review: Rump: The True Story of Rumplstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff

Rump: The True Story of Rumplstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780307977939

Review: Have you ever wondered about a fairytale from the villain's point of view? Have you ever considered that the Big Bad Wolf might just be hungry, or that the three bears were just angry at Goldilocks? Or perhaps Rumpelstiltskin, the greatest villain of them all, who stole the queen's child, had more to his story? Indeed, the book, Rump: the True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, gives the whole story of Rump, the main character, as accounted from the imagination of the author, Liesl Shurtliff.

Once upon a time, there lived a boy up on a mountain called The Mountain, in a magical kingdom called The Kingdom; the boy's name was Rump. In a land where a name foretells your destiny, the newborn child's name was whispered into his ear by his dying mother, then announced throughout the town by church bells and screaming gnomes, the one syllable forever sealing his fate. When, Rump finds his late mother's old spinning wheel, though, all his luck seems to change. Rump, much to his delight, can spin gold from straw. This gold turns out to be unlike any other, though; the gold Rump spins is magical gold. And magic, no matter how deceivingly harmless, always has it's consequences. With every piece of straw turned to gold, Rump weaves himself deeper and deeper into a curse older than he himself. There is one way to break the curse, though, Rump discovers. He must find a stiltskin, the deepest, purest form of magic. All odds are against him, but with a bit of luck, determination, and help and advice from his best friend Red, Rump could just succeed.

A fascinating tale full of fantasy, adventure, and mystery, Shurtliff spins a story like Rump spins gold. I was hooked from the beginning, where the author started the story with a sense of humor unmatched by many other books I have read. "My mother named me after a cow's rear end. It's the village's favorite joke, and probably the only oneÉ" Rump's misery and discontent is easily relatable for people of all ages, and it's hard not to get attached to this brave and witty underdog. This story, though you may have guessed already from the title and synopsis, is an adaptation of the classic tale of Rumpelstiltskin, the story of a strange little man who promises to spin straw into gold for the queen in return for her first child. This fresh twist on the story is just as captivating and even more inventive, with the story from Rump's point of view, showing not only the perspective of the hero or heroine, but also the so-called "bad guy". This book would be enjoyed by pretty much all ages, I think, but I would especially recommend it to grades 4-7. The captivating adventure, wittiness, and new twist on a classic fairytale make Rump: the True Story of Rumpelstiltskin a great book, 4.5 out of 5.

Review written by Amina (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Rump: The True Story of Rumplstiltskin for this review.

Have you read Rump: The True Story of Rumplstiltskin? How would you rate it?