Review: Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm. A Babymouse Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2013
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780375832291

Review: Are you the one always with big ideas? Then this book is for you. It's called Babymouse: Queen Of The World! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. So if you're the one daydreaming instead of paying attention, read this book. You may find you have something in common!

In Babymouse: Queen Of The World!, the main character is Babymouse. She is a middle school girl, and she is a mouse. She really wants to be popular - queen of the world, if you will. But she can't be the queen of the world. That position is already taken by Felicia Furrypaws, a cat. Baymouse wants to be just like her. When Felicia has a sleepover party, it feels like everyone is invited but her. One day Felicia forgets her book report. She says if Babymouse gives her the report, she'll invite her to the party. When she is about to leave for the sleepover, she realizes she already has plans with her best friend, Wilson. Many things go wrong at the sleepover, and Babymouse realizes that Wilson is a true friend.

I enjoyed Babymouse: Queen Of The World!, even though the reading level is more for early elementary readers. A girl would probably enjoy it more than a boy, but it is a good book for all readers. I think this is a good book because it has a really sweet message, that true friends forgive you no matter what. It's really sweet, and I think a lot of girls can relate to it. It is also a funny book; she daydreams a lot. Jennifer L. Holm tells girls to be what they want to be through this funny, amazing story. Sure, she isn't the most popular, but she realizes she has everything she needs and life is good. If you read Babymouse: Queen Of The World! and enjoy it - Good News! There are 9 other books in this series. I recommend this book to all the dreamers and lovers of all things girly.

Review written by Alison (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Queen of the World! for this review.

Have you read Queen of the World!? How would you rate it?

Review: Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight by Tony DiTerlizzi

Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight by Tony DiTerlizzi. A Star Wars Book.

Disney Press
Publication Date: October 2014
List Price: $19.99
ISBN-13: 9781484706688

Review: KA-BOOM! Do you like action books? If so, then the graphic novel Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight by Tony Diterlizzi is the one for you. Join Luke in a fast-paced escape to save his friends.

In this story, Luke Skywalker, using his X-wing fighter, has to escape the Imperial TIE fighters alone to get to the desert planet Tatooine to release his friends who are being held captive. When they shoot his snow speeder, he comes crashing down into the snow bank to face one of the Imperials' walkers. Will Luke ever arrive in Tatooine? If so, will he be able to release his friends? Or will the Imperial fighters defeat him? You have to read to find out!

This graphic novel is interesting because of all the action that's happening. The writing style of the author, who uses a lot of onomatopoeia, keeps the story suspenseful, like when he uses words like "CRASH!" "ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!" and "WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!" The descriptive language about the technology (X-wing fighter, torpedoes, etc.) also makes the story more enjoyable. For example, the author wrote, ÒLaser bolts shot at Luke's squadron from everywhere at once. Ships on both sides erupted in fiery explosions.Ó I recommend this book to boys ages 9-12 because of the detailed third person writing style and the intense action. The main character is a brave boy, Luke, too. If you're a Star Wars fan, you'd like this graphic novel, too!

In conclusion, Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight is jam-packed with action, onomatopoeia, and more. BOOM! BOOM! Ahh! Gotta run!

Review written by Madison (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Disney Book Group for providing a copy of Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight for this review.

Have you read Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight? How would you rate it?

Review: The Little Prince by Joann Sfar

The Little Prince by Joann Sfar.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780547338002

Review: Draw me a sheep. Does this sound familiar? It may if you have ever read The Little Prince, but the version I read is different. Instead of a book, this version is actually a graphic novel written by Joann Sfar. A graphic novel is more like a comic book with a lot of pictures and fewer words than your typical storybook which makes this a short, good read.

In this story, a pilot's plane breaks down, and he lands in a desert. As he fixes his plane, a boy comes up to him and asks the pilot to draw him a sheep. After several attempts to draw the boy the sheep he wants, the little prince is finally content with a picture of a box which the man states has the sheep inside. The boy explains to the man that he wants to take the sheep back to his planet. He then proceeds to tell the pilot about his planet and a beautiful flower that grows there. The flower is very demanding and upsets the little prince so he decides to leave his planet. The prince travels from planet to planet, meeting strange people at each stop. Lastly, the prince came to Earth, but before meeting the pilot, he saw more flowers like the one on his planet and then he meets a fox. The fox told the prince that he is responsible for his flower, and that made the prince want to be with his flower. Then that's when he met the pilot. The pilot grew fond of the little prince and wanted to stay with him, but the prince felt he needed to go back home to his own planet and his flower. Did the prince make it back to the flower? Well, you will have to read it to find out.

The Little Prince graphic novel is a good book for ages 8 and up. Many older people will also like it especially if they have read the novel version of the story. The book is a pretty fast read with great illustrations. It also has many mysteries that keep you engaged. If you like reading but find large storybooks to be a bit overwhelming, this book, being a graphic novel with few words and many pictures, is a perfect choice. There are touching parts that will make you happy and you find yourself caring about this strange little boy from another planet. So when you are looking for a short yet entertaining story that is fun for all ages look no further, and read The Little Prince.

Review written by Justin (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Little Prince? How would you rate it?

Review: Bill the Boy Wonder by Marc Tyler Nobleman

Bill the Boy Wonder by Marc Tyler Nobleman.

Charlesbridge Publishing
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $17.95
ISBN-13: 9781580892896

Review: Do you think you know who the creator of Batman is? Well if you guessed Bob Kane, then you would be wrong. Yes he did help, but Bill Finger wrote the Batman stories. Bob illustrated, Bill wrote. Bill had a tough life as a kid. His parents wanted him to become a doctor, but he was interested in art and writing. Journey through the rest Bill's life as you read this book.

Bill The Boy Wonder was a quick read for me. It isn't very long and doesn't have much text on each page. It is not like any other ordinary book though. Bill The Boy Wonder is a biography about Bill Finger, written like a comic with illustrations from his life as pictures. That is how Batman started; Detective Comics. This book is very interesting and I DO recommend it. It's perfect for kids ages 5-10 for easy vocabulary. I give it a seven out of ten. Hope you like this book!

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Charlesbridge Press for providing a copy of Bill the Boy Wonder for this review.

Have you read Bill the Boy Wonder? How would you rate it?

Review: Batman: The Revenge of Clayface by Eric Stevens

Batman: The Revenge of Clayface by Eric Stevens. A Super D.C. Heroes Book.

Stone Arch Books
Publication Date: January 2009
List Price: $5.95
ISBN-13: 9781434213693

Review: If you are looking for a quick easy novel, Batman, The Revenge Of Clayface, written by Eric Stevens, is for you! In Gotham City, a new weapon is being developed when an evil villain wants to steal it right out of Bruce Wayne's hands and send it to a black market. If you like other DC Super Heroes, then this story about Batman will amuse you. Batman chases down criminals as Clayface plots his devious scheme. If you aren't familiar with these enemies the book includes a short glossary of some of the characters in the back of the book.

I enjoyed this book even though it is short. It has colorful illustrations; and I like that it has a brief summary of information as a source for the characters in the back. It is a quick read and is interesting. The action and suspense of what happens next keeps you turning to the next page. It reminded me of some of my most favorite villains in previous Batman books. The only thing I didn't like about the book is that it is written for a younger audience with a lower level vocabulary. I would love to read a similar book for older readers. But, for the intended audience of younger readers, Batman, the Revenge of Clayface is an amazing book.

Review written by (th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Batman: The Revenge of Clayface for this review.

Have you read Batman: The Revenge of Clayface? How would you rate it?

Review: City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Books of Ember Series.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780375868214

Review: Imagine living in a city, not knowing where you are, but only knowing that something is not right. The City of Ember, The Graphic Novel by Jeanne Duprau is a great book that is filled with mystery and excitement. In this story, it is said that the city of Ember is the only light in a dark world, but when the lamps that keep Ember lit start to flicker it is up to Lina and Doon to decipher the code in order to find the way out of Ember.

Lina lives with only her grandmother and little sister. But lately her grandmother has not been feeling well. She suffers from short term memory loss and when Lina comes home one day, her grandmother is found scrambling around the little apartment, murmuring about how she needs to find something. When they do find it, they find it in her little sister Poppy's mouth. It seems to be some sort of mysterious document that they believe can hold the answer. Not only are the lights flickering but supplies are also running low and everyone believes that the mayor is behind it. In this story everyone is depending on Lina and Doon to find the way out of Ember before it is too late.

If you have read the City of Ember then I highly recommend you read The City of Ember, The Graphic Novel but if you haven't, I still think you are in for a treat. I think that this book is very inspirational to younger kids because it lets them know that even though they are young and aren't always expected to make a difference that it doesn't mean that you shouldn't try. I also think that if you are the type of person who just loves a good heartwarming mystery then you will love this book. I rate The City of Ember, The Graphic Novel 5 stars for the way it captivates the reader and feels like it takes the original book and brings it to life.

Review written by Lauren (6th grade student).

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

Have you read City of Ember? How would you rate it?

Review: Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen

Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen.

Charlesbridge Publishing
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781580892605

Review: Death, remembrance, and laughter are three words that describe Last Laughs written by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen. Last Laughs is about animals that remember other animals and how they died. After that, they laugh about it.

Here's an example: ÒWin some. Lose some. Venison.Ó From the deer's point of view 'win some' means that the deer avoided the shots from a hunter, and 'lose some' means that sometimes the hunter hits the deer. Venison is deer meat.

There are aspects I like and do not like of this book. What I like is that the epitaphs are funny and they rhyme. The part that I did not like is the main idea because it's all about animals that have died. I like animals, so reading about them dying is sickening to me. If it were up to me, I would recommend this book to 4th graders and up because the vocabulary is hard. I honestly think that 3rd graders would not like to read about dead animals. Last Laughs is not one of my favorite books because I like animals. Some people could find Last Laughs humorous, but I did not. I don't think animal lovers should read Last Laughs.

Review written by Dalton (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Charlesbridge Press for providing a copy of Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs for this review.

Have you read Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs? How would you rate it?

Review: That One Spooky Night by Dan Bar-el

That One Spooky Night by Dan Bar-el.

Kids Can Press
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781554537518

Review: Do you believe in witches, sea-monsters, mermaids or even vampires? Do you want to read a quick story about them? If so, try That One Spooky Night by Dan Bar-el. This graphic novel is illustrated by David Huyck, and it contains three short stories that portray how spooky all of them can be on one unusually scary night. In the first story, the reader meets Giselle, who can't decide what to be for Halloween. Next, Anthony and his brother, Alexander, are transported to a world they never knew existed. Then, in the final story, a group of girls discover some unlikely friends.

In "Broom with a View", the first story, Giselle has trouble deciding what she will be for Halloween. After she finally makes a decision, something strange happens and her spooky night begins. You'll just have to read in order to find out about what tricks or treats follow. The second story, "10,000 Tentacles under the Tub", is about the spooky adventure that Anthony and Alexander encounter in their bathtub. After a wild and playful Halloween night, they discover something unusual in the tub. How will they handle what they find lurking below? Read this story to reveal their findings. In the final story, "The Fang Gang", what do you get when you taunt girls about their Halloween costumes? A scare, that's what! When a group of girls gets frightened, they improve their costumes to scare those who dare to taunt them. On their journey they run into a frightening bunch called the Fang Gang. What will happen when they meet these friends or foes? Read "The Fang Gang" to uncover it all.

I love the author's original ideas about children on Halloween. In my opinion, the best part of That One Spooky Night is that it is a graphic novel. The illustrations help make the characters believable and well-rounded. Unfortunately, there are confusing subplots within the three short stories. Many times, I had to re-read some parts of the stories because I thought I had missed a page. However, the theme is unique for a Halloween comic. The author's writing style is descriptive and original, with an immediate comedic effect. In my opinion the stories are a little predictable, because the reader can pretty much sense what comes next. I recommend this book to all graphic novel fans, because overall it was a great book.

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of That One Spooky Night for this review.

Have you read That One Spooky Night? How would you rate it?

Review: Teen Boat! by Dave Roman and John Green

Teen Boat! by Dave Roman and John Green.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: May 2012
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9780547636696

Review: Have you ever wondered what someone abnormal, possibly human, would feel in the common world we live in? If so, then Teen Boat written by Dave Roman and John Green is meant for you. Just like it says, it has the thrills and action parts of life while being a boat, but also the angst, or the nervousness of being a teenager. This teen has a miraculous journey with many dramatic scenes. But can he withstand life as a Teen Boat?

This teen has many adventures and was a star in his time as a teenager. This is one special teen because he can turn into a boat. Of course, his friends try to take advantage of him. Overall, Teen Boat is a kind character, seeking popularity and trying to turn his ability into a good life. This affects him mainly because he will never be a normal teenager and he has to try to make something out of himself. One story he is pressured into a situation. Another time he is attacked by pirates, followed by a phase of time being shunned. And who can forget all of the times he has tried to attract the love of his life. But can he survive the toughest challenge of his life, getting his license?

Teen Boat is a good graphic novel. Teen Boat is meant more for young teens in high school who might be entertained by this humor. Some of the content is not bad but has to do with adolescent behavior and should be put only with the age of the actual character himself. One benefit of Teen Boat would be to give it to 8th graders to show them that they have to be toughened up in high school. I would rate this book 6 out of 10 because I am younger than the intended audience, and this book has concepts that are most appropriate for teenagers to know and be able to discuss. The quote that says the most about Teen Boat is "Listen Joey, until you have the power to turn into something really cool, don't assume you know what it feels like to be me." This quote meant a lot because it says that he thought he was special in a great and he also wanted to make sure Joey knew that she was different than him and that he was also unique in his own little way. Also, he might have said it to make her jealous. As you can see, this book has a restricted audience.

Review written by Joseph (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Teen Boat!? How would you rate it?

Review: The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan by Maxwell Eaton III

The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan by Maxwell Eaton III. A Flying Beaver Brothers Book.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780375864476

Review: Beavers that surf, evil penguins and more! The Flying Beaver Brothers and The Evil Penguin Plan (a Flying Beaver Brothers book by Maxwell Eaton III) is a hilarious book that will hook you to the last page.

In the beginning of the story, the main characters Ace and Bub are surfing when evil penguins suddenly destroy Ace's surfboard. This result in the beavers following them in a high speed chase. Their rival, Bruce, then tries to stop them from attacking the penguins. Soon Bub finds the penguin's evil lair. Will Bub escape, will they stop the penguins and Bruce, will Ace get his surfboard back? Find out by reading the Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan.

The Flying Beaver Brothers is a hilarious book. I rate it 9 out of 10 surfboards. The book is a comic book setup with slides and voice bubbles. Ace and Bub are like superheroes trying to thwart an evil plan. The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan is both funny and happy, but nothing tops the funny parts in the book. This is great for readers in 6th or 7th grade and for people who love comic books or are looking for a new type of book. Everyone should read The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan. The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan is great for car trips, lazy days, going to the beach or even for writing a book review. Also, its great for just reading for fun.

Review written by Max (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan for this review.

Have you read The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan? How would you rate it?

Review: Ichiro by Ryan Inzana

Ichiro by Ryan Inzana.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: March 2012
List Price: $19.99
ISBN-13: 9780547252698

Review: Japanese Legends all in a comic book?! Ichiro is a young boy from Brooklyn, New York who goes on the adventure of a lifetime in Ichiro, a graphic novel by Ryan Inzana. Ichiro is a good book. To find out more read on!

Ichiro begins is on a plane with Ichiro on route to visit his grandfather in Japan. But before he reaches Japan, the author shares a legend about a raccoon that can morph into anything. Once Ichiro reaches Japan, he heads to his grandfather's house where he sees a raccoon for a split second before it disappears. Remembering the legend, the next night, Ichiro camps out to find the raccoon but eventually gets tired and falls asleep. When he awakens, he is in the underworld surrounded by guards ready to kill him. Will Ichiro live? How did he get into the underworld? Who's the raccoon? Read Ichiro to find out the answers to all of the questions above, AND MORE!

Ichiro is a good book. It has a lot of dialogue at the beginning and very little at the end so it is very important to pay attention to the graphics at the end. Ichiro contains information that is appropriate for middle school readers as well some information that would lend itself more to adult readers. Readers would have to keep this in mind when selecting Ichiro. It is geared, however to readers age 12 and up. The character, Ichiro, is easy for readers to relate to because of the lesson he learns in the story. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. Some pages are just all pictures and no words which left me uncertain as to what was going on at some parts. Possibly an avid graphic novel reader would be better at interpreting the illustrations, but it was a struggle for me. Overall, however, Ichiro is a good book. It is a relativity quick read because there are far more pictures than words. Ichiro is a good book for a trip to pass the time.

Review written by Max (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Ichiro? How would you rate it?

Review: Night of the Living Dust Bunnies by Erik Craddock

Night of the Living Dust Bunnies by Erik Craddock. A Stone Rabbit Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 2011
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780375867248

Review: When it's Halloween anything can happen, and karma is at its strongest on that night. For instance, when you call someone ugly and call someone "dumb ears," you are definitely going to get your butt kicked by karma. Night of the Living Dust Bunnies written by Erik Craddock is a comedic adventure story that features many humorous characters. When Henri lets loose the dust bunnies, nobody is safe. Henri is mischievous and Dumb Ears is angry. That combination can never end well. Will they be able to save Halloween?

Night of the Living Dust Bunnies takes place mainly on Halloween but this Halloween has a twist when Henri accidently turns on the switch of an atomic lamp causing dust bunnies to reign through the night. Everybody in town is literally sucked into this mystery. The dust bunnies are mistaken for Halloween costumes, but not for long. These costumes eat people when they're hungry. Can the friends miraculously save the town?

Night of the Living Dust Bunnies has great potential for the right audience. The type of story is not one of my favorites; however fans of the Stone Rabbit series will not be disappointed. The recommended audience is an 8-10 year old reader who enjoys comedy. Night of the Living Dust Bunnies is a great book to put in libraries particularly for those reluctant readers, and it is a relaxing read. Night of the Living Dust Bunnies has an extremely fun twist and is a great graphic novel to use for a predicting activity as a teacher. It will make the children laugh at what actually happens, because the sophisticated predictions will look hilarious compared to the comedic text. The quote that I found crucial was when Henri said" Actually, I might have turned it on accidently after I finished scribbling in the dust all over Dumb Ear's house." This quote meant something to me because it represents how bad behavior leads to big mistakes. I find it important that this book also teaches morale, and is not only funny.Night of the Living Dust Bunnies is a quick read and is perfect for reading on Halloween night after trick-or-treating. Night of the Living Dust Bunnies is an overall fun, comedic adventure.

Review written by Joseph (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Night of the Living Dust Bunnies for this review.

Have you read Night of the Living Dust Bunnies? How would you rate it?

Review: Binky Under Pressure by Ashley Spires

Binky Under Pressure by Ashley Spires. A Binky Adventure.

Kids Can Press
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781554535040

Review: Ashley Spires has yet again made another Binky adventure, and this adventure is titled Binky Under Pressure . It involves Binky and Gracie, two space cats. Binky is the main character and is a fat and lazy kitty. Gracie comes to Binky's space station to test him on his space cat survival skills.

The story begins with Binky. Binky has a very normal and routine life. He goes through the same schedule every day; he naps, eats, naps, bathes and naps some more. Gracie, on the other hand, has a very active life. She works as a F.U.R.S.T. (Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) official. As a F.U.R.S.T. official she travels around the universe to test agents, such as Binky, on their space cat survival skills. When Gracie shows up at Binky's space station, Binky thinks that she is an alien. She seems too perfect. Gracie takes his food, litter, best friend and his human's attention. Binky gets mad. He figures out that Gracie is not an alien but a F.U.R.S.T. official and has come to test him. Will Binky pass his test? How would he handle an invasion?

Ashley Spires has outdone herself this time. Binky Under Pressure is awesome. Binky has a hard time with his test. During the test taking process, Binky tries many different ideas. The different ways that he goes about solving the problems that Gracie sends his way will bring a smile to your face. It will even make you laugh out loud. In the end, Binky and Gracie end up working as a team of sorts. I really enjoyed this science-fiction/fantasy book, and I look forward to reading another graphic novel on Binky.

Review written by Michael (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of Binky Under Pressure for this review.

Have you read Binky Under Pressure? How would you rate it?

Review: Luz Sees the Light by Claudia Davila

Luz Sees the Light by Claudia Davila.

Kids Can Press
Publication Date: August 2011
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781554535811

Review: Salvaging Earth has become a focal point in people's lives, and Luz's has no exception. In Luz Sees the Light, Luz helps her city realize that Earth should be one of their main priorities. Luz's town has been having black outs lately because of the amount of power usage. Meanwhile the new kid next door, Robert, is really freaking out because he is a computer geek, and his computers are his life. Luz knows that she must do something. Luz at first is criticized by her friends; they tell her that she has a crazy idea, but they soon realize her idea is an amazing idea. Then Luz's city comes together to make an old unused parking lot into a lively hangout.

Luz Sees the Light is an amazing read and filled with fun. I enjoyed the characters because they are realistic. Robert is a computer geek which we seem to have a lot of those because technology is such a focal point in people's lives today. Robert is a boy Luz's age that moves in next door to her, Robert freaks out when he learns that Luz's city has lately been experiencing black out. How will this affect this computer?!?Also, although Luz is the heroine of the story, she is realistic because she behaves just lke a child- completely forgetting what her mother says within a matter of minutes', in a matter of seconds. Another one of Luz's friend Anika is the friend that is sweet and nice to others, and everyone has one of those kinds of friends sometime in their life too.

I rate Luz Sees the Light 10 out of a 10 because it is an amazing read for kids of all ages. All of the characters are so realistic. Also it is fun to read because it is a graphic novel that is both enjoyable to read and to see. The amazing drawings really make the entire story come to life. What I mean by that is that the characters are visible so you can see how they look and it's easy to follow along. Another reason is because the characters are right in front of you to see. It is great because it's about what is happening right now in our planet Earth. For example, even in the book they are developing ways to make the world a better place for everyone. The last couple of pages can teach kids a simple way to start compost pile which can especially help if you have a garden in your backyard. It can teach kids about ways to help the Earth; even book characters are helping our planet! Those are the best reasons for giving Luz Sees the Light a 10 out of 10 rating.

Review written by Mia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of Luz Sees the Light for this review.

Have you read Luz Sees the Light? How would you rate it?

Review: The Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader

The Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: February 2012
List Price: $9.99
ISBN-13: 9780547550787

Review: Superheroes and sidekicks, we all have a favorite. But what about the sidekick Beanboy? The Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader is a superior book. It will hook you till the end.

The story begins in a comic shop when the main character, Tucker MacBean is read his favorite comic book. The school bully, Sam, sees him starring at her and rips his comic book for no reason and throws it in a puddle. A dejected Tucker sulks home, but his mood changes when he sees an entry form for the perfect contest. All he would have to do is create a great sidekick for a comic and then he'd win a full college scholarship. His mother who has gone back to college herself needs the money, so Tucker decides to write a comic and put his mother's name on it. But he realizes the prize is non transferable so he doesn't know what to do. To complicate manners, his little brother, Beecher, could mess up his comic so he works in silence away from everyone. Will Tucker win the contest for his mom? Will his brother mess up his project? Will he put his mother's name on the comic so it looks like she won? Find out by reading The Adventures of Beanboy.

The Adventures of Beanboy is a first-class book. I can't reveal if Beanboy wins the contest or not so you'll need to read the book. Beanboy deserves 100 out of 5 stars. Beanboy is easily to relate to because his of his overall goal to try and to get money for something important in the family. At times, Beanboy is funny, sad, heartwarming, and frustrating- all at the same time. The book will greatly interest middleschoolers 6th through 8th grade and this is a great book for comic book lovers and people who are looking for a new book to read. Everyone should read and buy this book. The Adventures of Beanboy is perfect for long trips, lazy days, a boom review, and days at the beach. Also, it's perfect just for plain fun.

Review written by Max (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Adventures of Beanboy? How would you rate it?

Review: The Sign of the Black Rock by Scott Chantler

The Sign of the Black Rock by Scott Chantler. A Three Thieves Book.

Kids Can Press
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $17.95
ISBN-13: 9781554534166

Review: There are many books about thieves, right? True, however, none of the thieves are like the ones we deal with in this story. These thieves are not the parkour action escape type. These thieves are actually much nicer ones. Scott Chantler has written an eye capturing graphic novel that will be good for a wide range of kids and adults. It is a fun and exciting read for a diverse group of people. The Sign of the Black Rock is the second book in the Three Thieves series. The main characters are the Three Thieves (a girl - Dessa, a norker-a small grumpy creature, and fisk- a very large and strong creature), and an innkeeper.

After attempting to steal from the queen's treasury, the 3 thieves, now fugitives are on the run to avoid being caught. It won't be too easy with the queen's dragons after them. They are even offering a "reward" for them. Eventually, they find themselves trapped. That happens after someone tricks them and they do not have Fisk to help them. The innkeeper does not really care for his wife Eudora, and puts her in charge of watching over the thieves but she and Dessa become friends. With dragons after them, escape is far away, but at the same time much closer than they think.

This book is filled with suspense which is one of the many things I enjoyed about this book. You never know what is going to happen next as the 3 fugitives are on the run to safety. The highlight of the book is definitely the suspense because for the most part you don't know what will happen next. Dessa has something "valuable" that was taken. She wants "it" so badly that she has to escape in order to get it. There are only a few negative parts about this novel which actually do not have to do with the storyline. An example of this is that the name of the book does not have anything to do with the story itself, so that kind of threw me off. A title I would suggest for this story is Thieves on the Run . This addition to the first book in the series is an attention-grabbing read. I recommend it to anyone 9-13 who is looking for a fascinating and fun, relaxing read. Overall, I feel this book is well written and entertaining. I rate it a solid 7 out of 10.

Review written by Sahil (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of The Sign of the Black Rock for this review.

Have you read The Sign of the Black Rock? How would you rate it?

Review: Crawling with Zombies by Gerry Conway

Crawling with Zombies by Gerry Conway. The Hardy Boys: The New Case File.

Papercutz
Publication Date: October 2010
List Price: $10.99
ISBN-13: 9781597072205

Review: I'll wager that you've never seen Joe Hardy as a zombie before! That all changes in Crawling with Zombies by Gerry Conway. This is the first book out of a new graphic novel series called The Hardy Boys The New Case Files based off Franklin W. Dixon's original Hardy Boys. Unlike the original, this book is a graphic novel. Frank and Joe once again will track down dangerous criminals as the world's favorite undercover team.

Frank and Joe Hardy are back! In Crawling with Zombies, they must once again track down ruthless criminals. Local teenagers are having "zombie fests" where teens dress up as zombies and terrorize local establishments. Usually, they're harmless. This time, some have almost died and endangered others in the process. Some unknown force is driving them and controlling them. Join the most famous undercover team of the century in tracking down the unknown force compelling the teenagers. Frank and Joe get in with the crowd by dressing up with the teenagers and mysterious events start to unfold. Join these two brothers as they track down criminals and bring them to justice.

Gerry Conway does an excellent job writing Crawling with Zombies. Don't be alarmed by the cover; it's just make-up tricks and false masks to make teenagers look like zombies! I was hooked right away. The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon were always some of my favorite books. This is the first book in a series and is based on The Hardy Boys. Gerry Conway does an excellent job of writing the story and imitates the way that the original author wrote. He's enthusiastic and makes the plot interesting and compelling to read. Paulo Henrique is the illustrator of this comic and does very well illustrating. The masks look very realistic in the book and make it interesting to read. Join these two brothers as Frank and Joe once again track down dangerous criminals and bring them to justice.

Review written by Colleen (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Papercutz for providing a copy of Crawling with Zombies for this review.

Have you read Crawling with Zombies? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Lunch Lady Series

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-86729-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86729-3
Publication Date: December, 2010
List Price: $6.99

Review: The scene is set. It's dark, a little too dark. The spy music plays as out jumps…Lunch Lady?!! That's right. Lunch Lady. Usually it would be Superman or Batman. But at this school, the Lunch Lady is the hero. The Lunch Lady's magnificent action-packed story comes to life in Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit, written by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit is the fifth book in the Lunch Ladyseries.

It's a rainy day as bus-driver Brenda pulls up to the next stop, as usual. The Breakfast Bunch, Dee, Hector, and Terrence, climb aboard. As soon as they arrive at school, there is already lots of commotion because today is the bake sale! Everyone drops their treats off in the cafeteria and goes to class. Of course, everyone is tempted to grab a sweet throughout the day, but Lunch Lady protects the bake sale treats. Suddenly, the power goes out. But then, it instantly comes back on, and when it does, the bake sale treats are gone! The Breakfast Club and the Lunch Lady are on the case searching everywhere for clues. Maybe it's him or maybe her? No one knows. Soon they figure out the Bake Sale Bandit is …

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit is a wonderful book. It gives me a lot of laughs. It's an action-packed story with a Lunch Lady twist. I especially love the "mirror broom" and "ketchup laser." I enjoy how the story is like a real school, where everyone loves the Lunch Lady. Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit has amazing graphics and colors. I love the design of all the characters. The author did a great job with the plot of the story. It is very realistic, but still fun and silly. Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit is a great read for anyone looking for action, adventure, and a good laugh.

Review written by Savannah (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit for this review.

Have you read Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Witches' Brew by Mary Labatt

Witches' Brew
by Mary Labatt
Sam and Friends

Kids Can Press
ISBN-10: 1-55453-472-0
ISBN-13: 978-1-55453-472-2
Publication Date: March, 2011
List Price: $16.95

Review: Witches', mysteries, spying, and a K9 detective? That's right, a dog who can communicate! Mary Labatt has written a short, yet totally comical, graphic novel. The Witches' Brew is the 4th book in the Sam & Friends Mystery series. The main characters are Sam (a dog) and Jenny.

In The Witches' Brew, Jenny, the detective dog Sam, and her friend Beth are getting new neighbors. Three strange sisters move in, and Sam becomes suspicious. She thinks the sisters are Witches'! After coming across some witch books, they feel they have found evidence to prove their claim and Sam and the girls decide to investigate. They strongly believe that the disappearing animals and weird weather have something to do with their evil witch scheme. Strange things keep happening and when another witch arrives, something "terrible" occurs. Have Jenny, Sam, and Beth been put under a spell?

I have positive and negative thoughts about this book. To start, Mary Labatt was tremendously creative when she wrote The Witches' Brew. Sam communicates through thoughts, and only Jenny can hear her. Also, the ending is very surprising and unique. I think those are good qualities for a conclusion. As much as I enjoyed this book, I feel there are a couple of flaws. First, there is not enough suspense throughout the book. Despite the one semi-suspenseful part in the middle, the story is pretty predictable. More importantly, the book is very short! I wish there was a little more to the storyline to make it longer. I finished it in about an hour and my younger 7 yr. old sister read it in a day! If you are looking for a longer, in-depth book with a big plot, this 95 page graphic novel should be out of the picture! I know that The Witches' Brew will be an enjoyable book for anyone who likes mysteries or wants to read something for fun and relaxation. Because of the length, I recommend this humorous mystery book to anybody ages 7-10, and I rate this novel an 8 out of 10.

Review written by Sahil (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates, Inc. for providing a copy of Witches' Brew for this review.

Have you read Witches' Brew? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Rome Antics by David Macaulay

Rome Antics
by David Macaulay
Non-series

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-618-38007-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-618-38007-7
Publication Date: January, 2011
List Price: $9.99

Review: When in Rome, fly the scenic route. Rome Antics by David Macaulay is about a carrier pigeon who decides to stop and enjoy the view in Rome. Little does he know that things have changed in Rome, Italy. Rome Antics is a historical fiction picture book that is fun and educational for all ages!!! The main and only character in Rome Antics is a pigeon.

Set in present day, a carrier pigeon is delivering a message while he decides to go the long way and see the beautiful city of Rome. This pigeon sees many sights like the Coliseum and the Pantheon. But the poor pigeon doesn't know Rome, Italy has changed from old times. He runs into many hardships like dogs and cats trying to eat him. Also, children playing soccer hit him with soccer balls. Many clothes lines also get in his way of seeing where the pigeon is going, and cars are a big trouble. This pigeon is wishing he never took this route until he sees the beautiful country land and delivers the message.

Rome Antics is a great historical picture book. I loved the beautiful drawings of the architecture of Rome. It was like I was flying above Rome with the pigeon. I also like the end of the book. I would give this book 5 stars for wonderful pictures and funny quotes. This book is great for all ages. I loved how after the story there is a map and a few pages of the history of the places the carrier pigeon went. This story was educational and fun!!!

Review written by Kyle (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Rome Antics for this review.

Have you read Rome Antics? How would you rate it?