Review: The Gloomy Ghost by David Lubar

The Gloomy Ghost by David Lubar. A Monsterific Tale.

Starscape
Publication Date: July 2014
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780765330802

Review: Do you like short spooky books? Well if you do then you will love The Gloomy Ghost written by David Lubar. In this book a boy named Rory has turned into a ghost; he is in the middle of life and death. He tries to tell his parents, but because he is a ghost, they can't hear him. The worst part is that if he doesn't hurry, he will stay a ghost forever. Do you think he will be able to turn back to human?

Rory is always getting into trouble. But one day he takes it way to far, he breaks the living room TV. He knows he is going to get in big trouble, so he hides in the bushes outside his house for a long time, until he gets hungry and eats the berries on his bush. Now he is feeling weirder than usual and suddenly he can't move. After a while, he realizes that he has become a ghost, he also realizes that the body he is looking at is his. Now he will do all it takes to show his family where he is and save himself from staying a ghost forever. Will he be able to save himself or will he stay ghost forever?

The Gloomy Ghost is perfect for children of age 8-12. They will love it. It is full of adventure, humor, and surprise, everything a child would love in a book. It is also easy to read and understand which is better, that way people will get the hang of it and love it even more. It is also a great book for 8-12 year olds because it is a short book, and I know some children miss great books because they are long, but this one is perfect size for upper elementary students. So check this book out because it is perfect for you.

Review written by Ashley (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Starscape/TOR for Teens for providing a copy of The Gloomy Ghost for this review.

Have you read The Gloomy Ghost? How would you rate it?

Review: Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly. Book One in the Waterfire Saga.

Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: May 2014
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9781423133162

Review: If you like complicated fantasy books with mermaids and magic, I think you might like Deep Blue. If you read this book, get ready for all the juicy details in the book. Jennifer Donnelly, the author, wrote very descriptively, and she made the names of characters are fun and unique.

In Deep Blue, there is a girl named Serafina. She is a brave compassionate mermaid princess with a golden tail like her dad's. Serafina lives in Miromara. Her best friend Princess Neela comes to visit. Serafina and Neela had the same dream about the Iele, who are river witch mermaids, and have to find four other mermaids and look for them. In this book, there are six who ruled and Serafina, Neela, Ling, Ava, Becca, and Astrid are all descendants of them. There is a lot of action in this book, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat between chapters.

In my opinion, the details in the book were really enchanting. An example was how the mermaid's room seemed to awaken with her. I think this book is mostly for girls because of the fantasy and mermaids. I thought the beginning was a little bit complicated because I couldn't really understand who was talking or thinking. Some parts of the book were alarming like when they had to straiten Ling's arm to put the two broken bones back into place so they could heal more easily. Overall, I thought Deep Blue was a really interesting and worthwhile book to read with lots of twists and turns.

Review written by Gina (6th grade student).

Have you read Deep Blue? How would you rate it?

Review: The Wavering Werewolf by David Lubar

The Wavering Werewolf by David Lubar. A Monsterific Tale.

Starscape
Publication Date: January 2014
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780765330796

Review: When Norman goes on a fieldtrip to Miller Forest, he seems to get lost thinking about different sorts of fungi. Then he hears a half-growl, half-snarl sound. This is where The Wavering Werewolf by David Lubar becomes a real page-turner!

"Yeeyouch" It nipped my nose. Then it leaped away from me.Ó After Norman is bitten by a wolf from the forest, some strange things start happening---Better vision without his glasses, itchy skin, and he becomes more athletic. Norman starts to wonder about these changes and concludes his search with the keyword, werewolf. After a long time of convincing arguments, Norman manages to get his friend Sebastian to believe in this too. With his friend at his side, will Norman ever become human again? Will Norman be able to do this before the full moon? These are all great questions with astonishing answers only found in The Wavering Werewolf!

I would easily give this book a five star (out of five) rating! The Wavering Werewolf manages to keep me on the edge of my seat with its hilarious and amusing content! "He was encroaching my territory. I had to defend it. My hand curled into a claw. I hauled back and slashed across at the head of the invader." I think The Wavering Werewolf would be more appealing to people with interests in werewolves, action, and comedy. For people with those interests, I highly recommend The Wavering Werewolf by David Lubar. Once again, I would give this book five stars.

Review written by Diana (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Starscape/TOR for Teens for providing a copy of The Wavering Werewolf for this review.

Have you read The Wavering Werewolf? How would you rate it?

Review: A Girl's to Fitting in Fitness by Erin Whitehead & Jennipher Walters

A Girl's to Fitting in Fitness by Erin Whitehead & Jennipher Walters.

Zest Books
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9781936976300

Review: Did you know that becoming fit will help you relieve stress? Well, if you don't believe me, read Chapter 8 in the amazing nonfiction book, A Girl's Guide to Fitting in Fitness by Erin Whitehead and Jennipher Walters. This book will help you become the healthy person you've always wanted to be while having some fun!

A Girl's Guide to Fitting in Fitness has many chapters. This first chapter, Why Getting Fit Matters, tells you the importance of why you need to get in shape. Basics of a Fitness Plan informs you on the fundamentals of your workout procedure. Eating Well mentions the things you should and shouldn't be eating while trying to become fit. You will find healthy breakfasts and morning exercise routines in chapter Waking Up to Exercise. Being Fit at School talks about joining a sports team at your school. On Weekends & During the Summer refers to how it is important to still workout and eat healthy but make the most of that free time. Next-level Fitness mentions how to become even healthier and slimmer by doing such as setting smart goals, joining a gym and doing high-intensity interval training once in a while. Stress-Busting Techniques mentions many effective methods to get rid of stress. This book includes all aspects of fitness.

In my opinion, A Girl's Guide to Fitting in Fitness is a useful source of information on getting real results. I recommend this 5-star book to girls ages 13-18 looking to get fit. My favorite chapter of this book is Stress-Busting Techniques because it definitely has an impact on my stress. I am very fond of this book because it gives me a lot of real-working techniques to get me fit and healthy. In summary, A Girl's Guide to Fitting in Fitness is unquestionably my favorite guide to working out!

Review written by Angelina (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Zest Books for providing a copy of A Girl's to Fitting in Fitness for this review.

Have you read A Girl's to Fitting in Fitness? How would you rate it?

Review: Raven in a Dove House by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Raven in a Dove House by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: April 2014
List Price: $8.99
ISBN-13: 9780544230163

Review: Imagine that you are at your aunt's house. You are watching the food, making sure it doesn't burn. Your cousin and his friend call you upstairs in the attic. When you go upstairs, they give you something very unexpected. That is just a part of the book Raven In a Dove House by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

In Raven In A Dove House, Nell was just a regular 12-year-old going to her aunt's house for the summer. She is happy that she was going to her aunt's house since she will be away from Brenda, her dad's girlfriend. Nell finally reaches her aunt's house, and after a few goodbyes, they finally went inside. Nell met her cousin, Foley, and his friend, Slade. One day, Nell was watching the food, making sure that it won't burn. Slade and Foley were in the attic counting worms. All of a sudden they both called Nell up stairs. Nell went upstairs, and Slade gave her something called a raven .25. They told her put it in her dollhouse. All of a sudden Nell doesn't trust anyone. She doesn't even trust herself! Will Nell trust anyone or herself ever again?

Andrea Davis Pinkney's writing will keep you glued to the book! You won't be able to stop turning pages because of all the events in the book. In my opinion, Raven in a Dove House is probably for ages 10 and older because in some scenes it feels like two people are flirting. There is also a weapon in the book, which probably wouldn't be appropriate for younger readers to read. The vocabulary in this book isn't complicated, although there is dialect. This book is good for both boys and girls. It would be good for a boy because most boys would like the fact that the narrative includes a weapon. There are also boy characters in the story, so there are many boy activities in the book. The book is good for girls because it is told from a girl's point of view, and there are events in the book that girls would like. I liked that this book was written in first person point of view so the narrator's feelings are explained more. Overall, Raven in a Dove House is a very good book.

Review written by Sabeen (6th grade student).

Have you read Raven in a Dove House? How would you rate it?

Review: Love Me by Rachel Shukert

Love Me by Rachel Shukert. A Starstruck Novel.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2014
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385741101

Review: Amanda Farraday is broken! She just broke up with the famous writer, Harry Gordon. Amanda tries her best to convince Harry to take her back. Meanwhile, Margo Sterling has everything anyone would dream of. She is famous, she has the looks and the one and only Dane Forrest, but believe it or not, Margo's personal life just might end her career. Gabby Preston's life isn't going so well either. She's not so healthy with alcohol and pills, and her relationship with bad-boy Eddie Sharp is just starting to take off. The book Love Me by Rachel Shukert is the sequel to Starstruck.

In Love Me, each character's problems get even worse than they were originally. Amanda continues to try to convince Harry to take her back, but he isn't interested. Margo has some problems with Dane that she has to work out. Gabby cannot control her drinking, and it's not so easy when you're dating a bad boy like Eddie Sharp. The lives of each character are organized in separate chapters, one chapter it might be about Amanda, the next it might be focused on Margo.

Readers will not be able to stop reading due to the outstanding writing of Rachel Shukert. I encourage everyone to read this book because the climax and other elements of the story keep you attached to the book. I think girls would like this book because they might be able to relate to the storyline more than boys. I really liked this book because each girl approaches her problems differently. This book had a very satisfying ending and I'm sure most readers would agree. The author is so descriptive with her writing; it makes you feel as if you are in the story. This is the best book I have ever read by far. I would recommend it to anyone who likes realistic fiction because overall it is a great book, and I loved it. Readers who are looking to dive into a good book just found one. Love Me by Rachel Shukert is one of the most interesting books I have ever read.

Review written by Rija (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Love Me? How would you rate it?

Review: Divided by Elsie Chapman

Divided by Elsie Chapman. The Sequel to Dualed.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2014
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780449812952

Review: In Elsie Chapman's Divided, West Grayer has finished killing people. The board just wants her to kill only one more person. She has won against her alternate, a twin who wasn't raised or lived with her. West now wants to go on with her life, after showing how she has a good chance of having promising future in front of her.

In the story, the board is making West a deal so that they can convince her to kill only one more time. The deal that they are making is too good to pass. The deal is worth killing someone. When West is on her mission to kill the person they want her to kill, she realizes that she is way too focused on the deal the people in the board made with her. She recognizes the person she is supposed to kill is a ghost from when she was younger, long ago. When West finally realizes that the board was actually lying to her about everything all along, she decides that she must not complete her current mission, to kill the ghost from when she was younger. Instead, she must replace it with a new mission. Her new mission is to find out the truth about her past, so that she can make sure that she will have a good, bright future ahead. Will West do whatever it takes to save her loved ones and her future? Will the board do whatever it takes to keep West from finding out the truth behind their big lie?

Elsie Chapman has taken suspense, thrill, and action, and filled every page of Divided with them. She left me with many cliffhangers throughout the book. I really like this book, because of how suspenseful the plot is. I often found myself at the edge of my seat, while reading Divided. I recommend this book to 5th graders and up, because the plot may be a bit complicated or confusing for younger kids. Also, this book will appeal to readers that are really into thrillers and suspense. Overall, Divided was a really good book, with a really great story.

Review written by Amanda (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Divided? How would you rate it?

Review: Pieces of Me by Amber Kizer

Pieces of Me by Amber Kizer.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385741163

Review: NO! I screamed, leaping at my body, trying to force myself back inside. To open my eyes. To talk. To live. Donate my organs? I wasn't meant to serve. I AM HERE. YOU JUST CAN'T TAKE MY PIECES. You can't make me. The nurse was in the corner trying to explain to Jessica's little brother that she's brain dead. Her mother cried and her father tried to comfort her. She's gone now, real gone. This is merely a short passage from Pieces of Me by Amber Kizer.

After the most absolute terrible thing happened to Jessica Chai, she got into a car. Later that same day, she got into a huge car accident and was pronounced brain dead. Her soul watched over her and did everything she could to wake her up. Nothing. After awhile, her parents finally said yes to letting their daughter be an organ donor to those in need. Leif, all his life, thought everything revolved around sports. Turns out it didn't. He then realizes he can't let his parents push him around anymore, and he must stand up for himself, and find whom the REAL Leif is. Vivian, although she has cystic fibrosis that will end her life prematurely, chooses to look at the world as a rainbow and struggles to stay alive to the break of daylight. Misty is living in a horrible home environment and has liver failure. This library refugee might be finding her first love, but it's a whole lot of pain to handle everything or even live until tomorrow. Samuel, a 17-year-old, is so big on faith and focuses on setting aside all the bad things in life; he focuses on the bright and positive side. He can't have a dark secret, can he? Somehow all of these teenagers' lives are intertwined when their cell memories cross over, and they give Jessica the greatest gift of all.

Amazing! This book is hands down one of the most realistic, tragic, happy stories I have ever read. It has an incredibly interesting and heartwarming plot, and it illustrates of how real teenagers live their lives. Although this book sounds and is incredible, I would not recommend it for anyone under age 13. I would recommend it for teenagers, a more mature audience.

Review written by Lucy (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Pieces of Me? How would you rate it?

Review: Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky

Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky.

Zest Books
Publication Date: July 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9781936976546

Review: Imagine that you are a duct tape wizard. How fast could you make purses, pencil cases, bags and anything else you wanted? If you want to improve on your duct tape use, then you should read Sticky Fingers by Sophie Maletsky. This book teaches you the best tricks and tips to make the coolest duct tape creations. Sophie makes the duct tape book so interesting that everyone needs to get a copy. Sticky Fingers is a step-by-step duct tape book that helps you learn how to make duct tape projects. It is a must read book, and it could be yours! It's easy to pick up and hard to put down.

The book Sticky Fingers is a nonfiction book for simple to advanced duct tape projects. It even has a whole section for the last bit of duct tape on the roll. The projects vary from making pencil cases to making a full duct tape backpack! Making a duct tape would be great fun on a rainy day or anytime you're free. Also Sticky Fingers has tons of other great projects like wallets and purses. How would you like to learn how to make your customizable wallets or purses? The projects all have level ratings and the time amounts it will take you to complete the project. This book also includes instruction for how to organize your duct tape in the best ways you can think of. This is a tip and tricks book for duct tape lovers!

I love this book, and I think all of you will like it too. This book is great for ages 6 and up. It will inspire you to create your own types of great duct tape projects. This book has many fun and amazing things that I could not think of. Every little kid should own this book. I give it 4 stars for the creativity and the awesome descriptions that little kids would understand. I think it has awesome projects that you will be amazed with. Little kids would also understand what the author is trying to tell them, especially all the tips. Enjoy the book Sticky Fingers!

Review written by Olivia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects for this review.

Have you read Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects? How would you rate it?

Review: The Perfect Place by Teresa E. Harris

The Perfect Place by Teresa E. Harris.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: November 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547255194

Review: Treasure is a 12-year-old girl who has courage and strength. Her father left her, her mother, and her 7-year-old sister Tiffany alone. Treasure feels like since her father left she has taken over the role of a parent. She walks Tiffany to school everyday, buys the groceries, and makes sure that there is food on Tiffany's plate. Treasure's father is somewhere out there and she wants to find him. When Treasure's mom takes her to her Great aunt's house -a place she thought she would never go- Treasures life is turned upside down. Will Treasure ever turn it around again?

In The Perfect Place by Teresa E. Harris, Treasure learns that she has to find happiness; happiness will not always come to her. Treasure and Tiffany are left in the dust when their father leaves them with their mother. Leaving the apartment is not easy; the only way for them to get out is to sneak out at night because Treasure's mom is not paying the bills. Treasure's dad has left her family many times before, but he had never been gone for this long. Will Treasure be able to escape from her life? Will she ever be able to find her? Treasure has been forced to grow up to fast and leave her childhood behind.

The Perfect Place is a great book for someone who enjoys books that include surprising endings. I enjoyed this book so much because of its moral, which is you have to find happiness; happiness will not always come to you. Thanks to Theresa E. Harris I now know that if I wish for it, I can find happiness. This book has some rough language so I recommend it for ages 12 and up. The Perfect Place is such an amazing book from its details to its characters to its moral. I hope to find more books written by Theresa E. Harris.

Review written by Kyra (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Perfect Place for this review.

Have you read The Perfect Place? How would you rate it?

Review: Miles from Nowhere by Amy Clipston

Miles from Nowhere by Amy Clipston. The Final Book in the Roadside Assistance Trilogy.

Zondervan
Publication Date: April 2015
List Price: $9.99
ISBN-13: 9780310736707

Review: God puts special people in our lives for a reason. In Amy Clipston's Miles from Nowhere you will read about how one girl, Chelsea Morris, finds herself as she follows her heart. This book will lift up your heart about faith towards you beliefs and trust in other people.

Chelsea Morris plans on having the perfect summer. She has a part time job at the Fork & Knife where her boyfriend works, and she is the head designer for the community production of Grease. Everything seems to be going swell for Chelsea. But then table's turn at the Fork & Knife, the main cook Maggie, just recently had a baby and now is on maternity leave. Todd parents own the Fork & Knife and he is also Chelsea's boyfriend. This was a totally bummer for Chels is pretty upset about this because this is the last summer before they headed off to state university; and she wanted to spend some quality time with her boyfriend. Being the unselfless girl she is supported him with his full time job but this meant he couldn't be part of the production of Grease. Which also leads back to spending less time with each other. As she spends her time at the playhouse she met a boy named Dylan a sophomore at the university. Everyday they have met each other's eyes but never spoke to each other. Eventually though Dylan asks her and her assistant designer to come to a cast party. This one cast party starts a chain of events that changed Chelsea. Now she is now breaking the rules at the theater, her new personality is interfering with her job and her relationship; she has now transformed into the party animal; drinking, ditching her brothers, hanging out with friends instead of doing her priorities. No one seems to know who Chelsea is anymore. Will Chelsea ever find her way back to her true self? Or has she become her true self? Find out the rest in Miles from Nowhere.

This is a spectacular novel. I am an Amy Clipston fan; I have read most of her book and they all relate to the same thesis, to having faith in your beliefs. This book really pulled me compared to her other novels this one has a plot teens can relate to finding who you are within a difficult situation. The plot is well organized, not messy or rushed. I enjoyed the main character, Chelsea's, her personality. She is able to relate in a way that teens can see themselves in. For example, her friends support when she needs it the most; they helped her with finding herself. I recommend Miles from Nowhere for 12-15 year old girls because girls can gather a stronger moral from a girl's point of view.

Review written by Arsima (6th grade student).

We would like to thank ZonderKidz for providing a copy of Miles from Nowhere for this review.

Have you read Miles from Nowhere? How would you rate it?

Review: Robots Rule! by C. J. Richards

Robots Rule! by C. J. Richards. A Junkyard Bot Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: November 2014
List Price: $13.99
ISBN-13: 9780544339351

Review: Robots Rule! For one town robots are not a convenience they are mandatory and for George Gearing they are his friends. Robots Rule by C.J Richards was well written, interesting, and really grabbed my attention. The book takes place in a town called Terabyte Heights and everybody has robots to help them with everyday chores or just to look cool but for George Gearing it is more than that.

George and his buddy Jackbot are friends. They do every thing together. They go fishing, play basketball, and play baseball they are best friends. George enjoys fixing robots that other people consider junk, but his Uncle Otto thinks George should work at the junkyard instead. But when his Jackbot is kidnapped George's life changes and the only question is, why would someone kidnap Jackbot?

I recommend Robots Rule to anyone that has an imagination because this book put a picture in my mind that was better than a movie. Great book, great setting, great plot, and perfect for young readers. Robots Rule will make you starve for a second book, really creates a big suspension it is a page-turner I started it reading it in the morning and did not put it down till it was done that night.

Review written by Patrick (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Robots Rule! for this review.

Have you read Robots Rule!? How would you rate it?

Review: National Geographic Kids Almanac 2015 by National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2015 by National Geographic Kids.

National Geographic Kids
Publication Date: May 2014
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9781426314612

Review: Do you know what was found in a lake in Louisiana? A pink dolphin! People can learn facts like this in National Geographic Almanac 2015, a nonfiction reference book. It has many interesting facts about science, animals, events all around the world, and other topics.

The book National Geographic Almanac 2015 contains sections on a variety of topics. One section, ÒOur World,Ó tells about events like the Women's FIFA World Cup, inventions like real light sabers, and animal species like a flying frog. Amazing Animals includes facts about animals. It tells about animal relationships, families, tricks, cute animals, and naughty pets. Also, facts about helping the environment are explained in the section Going Green. In addition, Awesome Adventure tells about jobs, facts about survival, and extreme sports. Furthermore, Super Science and Wonders of Nature have facts about space, eyes, rocks, disasters, weather, and biomes. Fun and Games includes different activities you can do. Facts about horoscopes, foods, languages, and mythology fill the section Culture Connection. Another interesting section, History Happens, informs the reader of presidents, cultures, and government. ÒGeography RocksÓ contains facts about continents, oceans, landforms, weird things like an apple-shaped racecar, vacation spots like Hawaii, and roller coasters in the chapter. In summary, there are a wide variety of sections in National Geographic Almanac 2015.

National Geographic Almanac 2015 was amazing. I would recommend it to anybody who is interested in nonfiction and learning. This book includes cool facts, photos, quizzes about each section, an activity section, and homework helps. The Almanac covers topics about everything from dolphins to Earth. My favorite sections are Amazing Animals, Super Science, and Culture Connection. It includes cute animals like meerkats, Amazonian milk frogs, harp seals, baby Emperor penguins, deer, and pandas and gross animals like the puss moth caterpillar. If you think that insects are gross, stay off of page 56. Those who are interested in science, history, geography, and nonfiction will like the book National Geographic Almanac 2015. It has fun family activities and cool crafts. Since so many topics are included, it has something everyone will enjoy. This book exceeded my expectations, and I hope you will like this book as much as I did.

Review written by Anna (6th grade student).

We would like to thank National Geographic Kids for providing a copy of National Geographic Kids Almanac 2015 for this review.

Have you read National Geographic Kids Almanac 2015? How would you rate it?

Review: Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland

Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland.

Workman Publishing
Publication Date: October 2014
List Price: $13.95
ISBN-13: 9780761174417

Review: Have you ever heard of a parrot saving a little girl from choking? Well, it happened. You can find this story and many more in the book Unlikely Heroes by Jennifer S. Holland. It contains 37 inspiring stories about animals coming to the rescue.

Unlikely Heroes. They aren't just firefighters or policemen. They are animals. In this book, they save their owners, children, or other animals. It really can open your eyes as you learn how amazing these animals really are. Unlikely Heroes is for animal lovers. Some animals in this book sacrificed safety or even life.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It would probably be best for a 6th grade or higher reading level. The stories are heart-warming and they are considerably long and with advanced vocabulary. But the stories are very memorable and unique. The way the stories are written in the book are so suspenseful and amazing. I found it astonishing how they are all true and animals do acts of bravery like this. It includes where and when each inspiring story happened. Good news for fans of this book- there are 2 other books, Unlikely Friendships and Unlikely Loves. Animals come around at the right time just to do something shockingly great. Every one of them contains someone in danger, and a little furry friend with a lot of heart.

Review written by Alison (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Workman for providing a copy of Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart from the Animal Kingdom for this review.

Have you read Unlikely Heroes: 37 Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart from the Animal Kingdom? How would you rate it?

Review: Red by Alison Cherry

Red by Alison Cherry.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385742931

Review: Have you ever had a big secret that if it got out would ruin your whole social life? In Red by Alison Cherry, Felicity does. But somehow someone gets to know Felicity's secret. Will this person spread the secret?

Red is about a girl named Felicity and her big secret that she relies on for a pageant coming up at school. But a blackmailer one day gives her a note that might change everything. Filled with mystery and suspense this book is a page-turner. I recommend this book for ages 12 and up because it uses some strong words and it might be hard for a kid to read.

Red is a great book for a girl or a boy. There are hard words throughout the book but there not super challenging. It is also a long book that is great for after school reading. I recommend this book to anyone who is twelve and up because it does have strong words but overall an amazing book.

Review written by Izzy (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Red? How would you rate it?

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 Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer. The Conclusion to the Life As We Knew It Series.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2014
List Price: $8.99
ISBN-13: 9780544336155

Review: Have you ever been regretful of your actions or thought you hurt someone in a way that would fill you with guilt? Or have you been going over your life and seeing it as if the fate of your family is on you? If you have, you would be a lot like Jon, a boy in the story The Shade Of The Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer who feels all of this and does what he can to keep the people he loves safe.

Jon is a slip, a person that was barely allowed to get into a home, of an enclave in Sexton, Tennessee where he lives with his stepmother Lisa and stepbrother Gabe. The people of these home areas are separated between grubs and clavers Lisa has to be evaluated which determines if she can stay or if she has to go and leave Jon and Gabe behind. To protect Lisa, Jon has to be the "best of friends" with a boy named Tyler, the boy whose father determines the outcome of the evaluation. The problem is that Jon falls in love with a girl named Sarah who believes that all humans are the same even if they are grubs or clavers. Since Tyler and his pals are clavers, which mean that they do not feel the same way as Sarah feels about grubs, they do not treat her well. Jon decides that after the evaluation, he will forget about Tyler and love Sarah. But if Tyler were to be treated this way, Sarah will pay a price. Can Jon protect Sarah and love her at the same time? Will he be able to save Lisa's evaluation? Or will the people haunt him as a girl named Julie haunts him?

The Shade Of The Moon is intended for children 12 and up because of the foul language that can be found in this book and the more mature actions. It is a good book for all kinds of children, but people interested in romance might like this more than others. This is a really good fantasy book that shows people to do the right thing even in tight situations and that love always finds a way.

Review written by Yesenia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Shade of the Moon for this review.

Have you read The Shade of the Moon? How would you rate it?

Review: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky.

Hyperion
Publication Date: November 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9781423185277

Review: Have you ever wondered if you were not actually you, well Grayson did? In Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polansky, Grayson thinks he is a girl because he draws princesses and draws with pink sparkly pens. Grayson had a fear if someone knew his little secret. Did Grayson revile his secret? You will have to find out in Gracefully Grayson.

12-year-old Grayson fights the challenge of being who he is. He always ate lunch in the library until Amelia came to his school. He started eating in the cafeteria when she came along. HE was still afraid of all the people in the room. Just all to hide his secret. Grayson was a boy that felt like a girl and acted like a girl. He needed self-confidence to believe in who he is. She hated track pants and loved dresses. She knew that she was a girl inside. At the end she did a great job in the school play and her family and friends understood her better.

Gracefully Grayson is a wonderful book to teach kids about a sensitive issue and self-confidence. Grayson fights his own challenges but kids can relate to him. Kids can learn to believe in there selves. This is a very descriptive book that has very original characters. This book filled with real life plots that kids can relate from. This book shows that you don't have to be who people want you to be. You can be someone else. Grayson liked to draw girly things and that was when he learned that he was acting like a girl. That's why he never really ate lunch with everyone. He was too afraid to. This book shows how to make things better by fighting your challenges and he did that by trying out the school play and wanting to play the girl role. I would recommend this book for kids 10-13 because it is a novel and it has somewhat hard words. Also because it is about a boy that is a girl inside. One other theme is to believe in your self. Grayson wanted to believe in himself but was too afraid to, but not in the school play. This is a very good book and you should read it.

Review written by Devanshi (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Hyperion for providing a copy of Gracefully Grayson for this review.

Have you read Gracefully Grayson? How would you rate it?

Review: A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn

A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: May 2014
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780544109353

Review: There are some things people don't dare to talk about. Most of those things are about the woods. Phoenixes, griffins, dwarfs, magical ladies, and a dragon living at the top of a great mountain haunt these woods, yet nobody has the guts to speak of them. They whisper to you and listen to your dreams as you sleep. They are the forest folk. The woods move in more and more bit-by-bit everyday. An addition to the other books this amazing author wrote comes the book A Creature Of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn, as magical as it sounds.

Taking care of flowers in a muddy garden since you were able to move around sounds like a lot of work, but it's even worse knowing that you are a born princess and heir to the throne yet you dig around in the dirt all day. The russet-haired Marni has no idea who or where her father is, she only knows that her evil uncle has murdered her mother and she was sent to live with her grandfather for all eternity. People are usually scared of her because they think she is the dragon's daughter, for no one knows who her father is. Legends are told that girls, especially girls with no fathers are called the daughters of the dragon, no one knows why exactly. Things are usually quiet in and around the hut, but when Marni comes back from her trip to the woods one day, she finds The Lord of Ontrei in her grandpa's chairÉ her grandpa is dead, or is he just gone? Marni is now on a double quest to get revenge from the king and to find out, who exactly is her father?

Any teenager or even young adult would immediately loose themselves in this A Creature of Moonlight, and the magical forest. Experience the taste of freedom as you fly across the sky with Marni or when you run with the wolves on the forest floor, bounding gracefully and avoiding all the massive trees. This book is for anyone who loves mysteries, mythical creatures, and magic (The 3 M's). Any child or even a young adult will fall in love with this book, others sure did. Come along with Marni on crazy adventures anywhere from the king's land to the enchanted woods. Relive the night of the murder when you come across the small hut in the forest. Get scared as the magical lady in the woods sings you her dark lullabies. Find out what life is about as you listen to the conversations between Marni and her family members. Jump into the book and help Marni find out, is her father the dragon living at the top of the mountain, and is he sending his magical forest to capture her?

Review written by Julie (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of A Creature of Moonlight for this review.

Have you read A Creature of Moonlight? How would you rate it?

Review: Winter Sky by Patricia Reilly Giff

Winter Sky by Patricia Reilly Giff.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: January 2014
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780375838927

Review: Winter Sky by Patricia Reilly Giff is a book that brings joy and fear for the character and reader. Siria is a brave, noble little girl who isn't one to be messed with. Her dad is a firefighter who has risked his life to save others.

Siria, named after a star only known to come out during winter, is the daughter of a brave firefighter. Her mom has died, and she is living with her Pop. He is brave, but Siria doesn't want him to get hurt. Every time the sirens go off, she rushes out to chase the big fire trucks so she can watch them and give them luck on the job. One day, her pop gets hurt, and Siria gets caught when she rushes to go see him. He is in the hospital until he can get better, which will be by Christmas Eve. In that time, she finds a puppy and solves a mysterious fire crime she accidentally blames on her friend.

Winter Sky is a great book for anyone who likes reading about action and mystery all in one. It seems like a good book for anyone who can understand the situation of the character. Even though she does get in trouble, it's for a good reason. It helps you see how it helps to be brave and not scared to do what you think is right. Sooner or later, it will all pay off, just like in the book Winter Sky by Patricia Reilly Giff.

Review written by Faith (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Winter Sky? How would you rate it?