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: The Morning Star by Robin Bridges

The Morning Star by Robin Bridges. Volume 3 of the Katerina Trilogy.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385740265

Review: Duchess? Are you all right? Duchess?

I blinked slowly at her, ignoring the tears rolling down my cheeks.

Masha, what have I done?

This book is called The Morning Star written by Robin Bridges. The main characters in this book are Katarina, also known as Katiya, George, maman, Alix, tsar, lich tsar, and danilo. This book is fiction, and it is the third book of a series called The Katerina Trilogy.

Katerina is 18 years old; she has too many choices, decisions, and problems going on in her life. One of the decisions she has to make is whether she could either marry George, the tsar's son, or keep studying medicine. She could only pick one. She has been studying medicine for a very long time and doesn't want to give up. However, at the same time, she has loved George for a very long time. Katerina picks medicine over George, she doesn't know if she made the right choice. Katerina has doesn't know what to do! Later on, other troubles come along the way. Danilo, the crown prince, kidnaps her because the lich tsar possesses him and is using his body to talk to Katerina. What is Katerina going to do next? Is she going to get George back? Will George save her?

Robin Bridges' amazing writing makes me want to keep reading. I couldn't stop reading. Some of my favorite parts of the story were when she added a bit of ancient Egyptian history and Egyptian setting in the story. Every time I had to stop reading, I would want to continue because of the great description. I think girls would like reading this book more than boys because there is a bit of romance, and the main character is a girl. Overall, this book is great, and I think people over the age of 12 might like it because of the complexity of the words. It's an amazing book, and the plot is really interesting. Every time I finished a chapter, I would want to keep reading and never stop. My eyes were glued to the book! I think any person who reads this book will love it!

Review written by Kezia (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Morning Star? How would you rate it?

Review: Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: August 2014
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780547722429

Review: Have you ever wondered what it's like to have an unexpected new beginning to your life? Well, Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman is the perfect book to tell the story of new beginnings for all readers in grades three or higher.

Matilda is sent off by Father Leufredus to Blood and Bone Alley, home of leech, barber surgeon, and apothecary, where she is supposed to be assisting and be raised by Red Peg the Bonesetter. But she was taught Latin and French, and none of what she will ever do will involve any of it! Instead, she spends her time caring and assisting for Peg's patients, tending to the fires, going to the market where you can get scammed, and mixing up remedies to help the patients. She's basically living in a new world without she praying for some of the Christian Saints and learning what Father Leufredus teaches her. But even so, once she gets used to it, it's not so bad, and if not, she will always have them to pray to, right?

Matilda Bone can be a page turner for anyone over the age of 8-9 or more because it teaches morals or life lessons. It can also be recommended for anyone that likes medieval times since it takes place during that time period. Cushman's writing brings this medieval period to life in her writing. The best part of the book for me was how hard life was for Matilda and how she tunneled through those hardships. Overall, Matilda Bone is a great book, and I will positively read more Karen Cushman books!

Review written by Carol (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Matilda Bone? 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: 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 Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher. A Stoney Ridge Seasons Book.

Revell
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9780800719890

Review: What's that, a flying red scooter? Probably M.K. from the wonderful new book The Lesson. It is by Susanne Woods Fisher and is the third book in the Stony Ridge Seasons series.

M.K. is an Amish girl who wants to see the world and get away from the Amish lifestyle. One day, she accidentally ran over the teacher to the local school with her scooter and has to take her place. She has no idea how to teach and doesn't even try. Chris is a young man coming to Stony Ridge with his younger sister Jenny to have a better life. Their caretaker, Old Debra, passed away, his dad left him when he was young and his mom is in rehab again. He moved to his Grandfather's old house, which needs a lot of work. He needs to stay quiet for only a few more months, then the house will be his and he will be 21. What happens next? You'll have to find out!

I really liked the book, The Lesson. It has adventure, romance, and mystery that will keep you wanting more! The storyline goes back and forth between Chris and M.K.'s story and it adds a nice touch to it. It is 304 pages and is challenging for the number of pages. It is good for kids ages 10 and up. I would say that only girls would like it because there is romance, the main character is a girl, and most boys don't like stories about girls. If you like Little House on the Prairie and Amish books, you will like The Stony Ridge series. There is another book coming soon and there are two other books before this one. The author also has more books in another Amish series. There are no pictures so you will have to process the story in your head. All in all, The Lesson is a read that will make you wanting more. I hope you love the book as much as I did. Enjoy!

Review written by Katlyn (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Revell for providing a copy of The Lesson for this review.

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

Review: Smith: The Story of a Pickpocket by Leon Garfield

Smith: The Story of a Pickpocket by Leon Garfield.

The New York Review Chilren's Collection
Publication Date: November 2013
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9781590176757

Review: Heroes are handsome, charming, and good people, right? Wrong! In Smith the Story of a Pickpocket by Leon Garfield a dirty pickpocket actually saves the day and helps people.

The main character Smith is an interesting, dirty, and a daring boy who is twelve-years-old boy who lives in the busy and winding streets of eighteenth century London. Smith has two sisters Miss Fanny and Miss Bridget that tease him. One day he quietly and cautiously follows a man with a noisy pocket, and is lead into a whole heap of trouble. Smith swiftly picks the man's pocket and quickly escapes. Afterwards Smith hides in a doorway and sees two men murder the man and search his pockets. After so he runs into a blind man who is somehow connected to this but Smith doesn't know it and aids the man. What was so important that they a man's life? What has Smith found gotten himself into? What role does this blind man play? Can Smith escape or will he find himself dead like that man? All these questions and more can be answered when you read Smith the Story of a Pickpocket.

Smith The Story of a Pickpocket is a clever mystery and adventure for elementary students. The book has many good points such as the realistic characters that accurately depict life in 18th century London. For example, Miss Bridget and Miss Fanny are annoying and clever sisters of Smith that knit. Plus there's saint Miss Mansfield, who tends to her blind father the magistrate. Not only are the characters interesting, but also it is a fast-paced adventure so you won't be left unsatisfied. It has many twists and turns in the story. An example would be the forever chase between Smith and the two men in the pitch-black night. But keeping up with plot can be challenging, as the book is a little confusing at times. So if you can hang on tight and don't get confused, you would be glued to the story like a cat on a mouse.

So be sure to check out Smith The Story of a Pickpocket by Leon Garfield.

Review written by Tej (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Smith: The Story of a Pickpocket for this review.

Have you read Smith: The Story of a Pickpocket? How would you rate it?

Review: Heart of Glass by Sasha Gould

Heart of Glass by Sasha Gould. A Sequel to Cross My Heart.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385741521

Review: In a society of liars, who do you trust? In Heart of Glass, Sasha Gould conjures a painting of 16th century Venice, through the eyes of a 16-year-old girl, named Laura de Scolla. The sequel to the popular Cross my Heart, this book has gotten worldwide attention.

Two months ago, Laura finds that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned. Knowing that her sister wouldn't do such a thing, Laura joins the Segreta, a society of women who trade secrets for protection, and solves her sister's murder. Now, in Heart of Glass, everything is on track and rolling smoothly, where she is engaged to the Doge's son, Roberto. But, when disaster is least expected, Laura finds Roberto, standing next to a dead girl. The Ottomans visit, and Prince Halim is on the prow of their ships. The Ottoman prince declares the dead girl his sister, and chaos erupts. Now, Laura de Scolla is trapped between two struggles: to liberate Venice, or liberate her soon-to-be husband. She is in a deadfall conspiracy, encompassing nearly everyone she knows.

The book is perfect. Sasha blends a perfect potion of fast-paced action, light comedy, and suspense. Heart of Glass targets teenagers of both genders. For boys, it is the fantastic suspense, and for the girls, the romance and the character of Laura, along with the fantastic adventurers, are captivating. This is the type of book that I generally don't read, but it took me by surprise. The action, the mystery, and the suspense were all factors to how marvelous the plot was. The mood of the story knots together with the action and suspense in an entangled but perfect manner. Generally, fantasy books are my target, but in this special case, Heart of Glass seems to be above my standards. Even if this isn't the type of book you'd typically read, give it a chance. You'll see it's well worth it!

Review written by Vincent (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Heart of Glass? How would you rate it?

Review: Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780307981271

Review: Maybe you've heard of a cliffhanger--- this book is cliff jumping for a way of life. The book Sky Jumpers was full of suspense and written by Peggy Eddleman! The main character is Hope Toriella, a twelve-year-old girl living in a post world war three world.

The main character, Hope Toriella, spends most of her time facing situations that seemed to have no solution. For example, there was an important kind of medicine that held the key to saving Hope's town, however it was located in a deadly environment that when you take a simple breath, you die. She needed to get the medicine for her village quickly. There happened to be a bandit next to her that wanted it too, so the bandit made her go and get it. She somehow managed to get it and come out on the other side alive. He told her to throw it to him, and threatened to burn her village down if she refused. If she gives the bandit the medicine, then everyone in the village dies. If she tries to get away, then he will get to the village before her and he will burn the village down. He comes up on the other side of the deadly air space, and she decides to run. She runs up a mountain and comes to a cliff. She remembers from science class that if she rolls when she hits the ground, then her forward momentum would save her. So she quickly makes her decisionÉ

Sky Jumpers is really a good book for both girls and boys because the book has so much suspense and the story line is really intended for either gender. I also think that the book would be for 6th grade or higher because of the complexity that it provided. For example, words like Ameiphus were really hard to understand. I loved how they made the suspense continue for so long that you could read for the whole day and not leave a suspenseful part. For example, when I read that a battle was going on between a village and bandits trying to raid them and kill them, I continued to read for hours. Not only that, but when you felt that relieved feeling and you think everything is safe, then next thing you know you're filled with suspense. For instance, Hope gets away from the bandit, and the next thing you know the bandit is right next to her threatening to burn down her village. I think a person in middle school or higher should not pass this book on for something else because I assure you that this book will be better than the next book you select. I also really liked it because it was kind of an underdog story, and it really changes your view on the world. The reader will become immersed in the futuristic time period. This book has you turning the pages until there are no more to turn. Check out Sky Jumpers now!

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

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

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

Review: Hitler's Secret by William Osborne

Hitler's Secret by William Osborne.

Chicken House/Scholastic
Publication Date: October 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780545576512

Review: Leni, are you okay? asked Otto. They heard gunshots as they ran threw the war zone. Hitler's Secret by William Osbourne is a fascinating book if you like stories about World War II.

Otto and Leni are sent on a top-secret mission in Germany. They are sent in by plane; then an old farmer drives them to town. In the story they go on very many different parts of their mission. At one point they steal bikes in order to get around. Not only do they have to spy on Hitler, but also have to do many other tasks that are dangerous. Later in the story, Leni and Otto kidnap a lady. Then they see a police car outsideÉwill they get caught?

Hitler's secret was one of the most interesting stories I've ever read. It was very suspenseful and best for six graders and older. It is extremely high level reading book because of all the high-level vocabulary. It is also in some parts gruesome for younger kids, maybe a little bit too descriptive for anyone younger than sixth grade. For example, it included content about blood and other gruesome things. The story has a very realistic timeline and plot. In the beginning of the story, Leni eats an English candy bar and Otto says, "Are you insane? You brought English chocolate with you? How are you going to explain that if someone stops us searches us?" If you didn't know it was historical fiction, then you would think is real. You might want to research about World War II a little bit before reading this book considering it includes terms that some people may not understand. I feel like I'm there every time I open the book. The author used descriptive words such as "crisp blue sky in the early morning sun slowly rose over the green fields." I find that I would want to read this book cover to cover multiple times. I plan to buy a copy for my cousin. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it!

Review written by Joey (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Scholastic for providing a copy of Hitler's Secret for this review.

Have you read Hitler's Secret? How would you rate it?

Review: A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. An Adventure of Lily Lapp Book.

Revell
Publication Date: February 2013
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780800721336

Review: Baa! Neigh! Come on over to the Lapp family's Amish house and farm, in Pennsylvania. A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger is the second book in a series that features Lilly Lap as the main character.

Lily is an Amish girl that lives with her Mama, Papa, and her brothers Joseph and Dannie. She just moved from New York to a small farm in Pennsylvania. The book tells about how they live their lives on their newfound farm home. On their second day at the farm, Lily goes to a new school. She meets a mean girl named Effie, a kind girl named Beth, and a very annoying boy named Aaron. As Lily goes to school, the weather changes and the holidays come and go. Soon, she gets a special surprise, a new baby brother named Paul. As she grows up, many different things happen to her. Papa falls off the roof, she makes gray Jell-O, and he cousin moves next door. What happens next, that's for you to read. The many adventures that Lily has never end!

I really liked A New Home for Lily! It is a must read book for girls ages 8-12. It has family, love and fun on the farm! It begins with the Lapp family moving to Pennsylvania and then stories about how they live their life afterward. It is a pretty big book with around 260 pages, but is an easy read. If you like Little House on the Prairie and like playing house, you will love this book! It has a few pictures every page so you can picture what's happening in your head. It is not a good book for boys, because a girl named Lily is the main character. I hope there is another book coming out in this series, but I can't promise anything. You should read and love this book.

Enjoy!

Review written by Katlyn (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Revell for providing a copy of A New Home for Lily for this review.

Have you read A New Home for Lily? How would you rate it?

Review: Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel. Book 1 in The American Fairy Trilogy.

Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $9.99
ISBN-13: 9780375873812

Review: Sarah Zettel has started off her new series with the great hit, Dust Girl. Callie LeRoux, small Kansas girl, had known all her life that her father wasn't coming back and that her mother was forever crazy for thinking so, but with the arrival of the greatest sandstorm in history everything in Callie's world has been flipped upside down. Her mother taken captive by the beautiful Seelie; her father, well thanks to the help of a stranger caught amongst the dust, has been locked up still trying to be forced to marry the Seelie princess.

Callie has just experienced the worst shock of her life, the greatest dust storm in history, her mama gone for good, a man and his fortunes, and now meeting a young boy Jack Holland who claims Callie's a fairy. She found Jack on the way to get food for her new "costumers" in a prison cell humming along to an old railroad tune. Taking pity upon him she releases him and has her work for him, becoming incredible friends. Through tight locks, railroad busts, and undead sheriffs Jack and Callie's relationship has grown tighter and tighter. Even after the sudden disappearance on Jack and the change in Callie they remain everlasting friends.

This book is for 2nd graders and up. The land of fairies and magical creatures has taken a new turn in this book. If you love magic and fairytales and happy endings then you should try out this book. The two part series has all the magic and fairies to last you a lifetime. Take a step into a small town Kansas's girl's life and experience all the adventures, danger, anger, love, and feelings of a girl lost in a huge world, or make that two worlds. Callie has discovered the land of the fairies, a huge world where her grandparents are king and queen, her father a prince, and Callie a princess. But this world is more dangerous than it seems, if a human or fairy eats or drinks from this world they can never leave. Sound thrilling? Go grab a copy of Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel today, you won't regret it.

Review written by Emily (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Dust Girl? How would you rate it?

Review: Dancer Daughter Traitor Spy by Elizabeth Kiem

Dancer Daughter Traitor Spy by Elizabeth Kiem.

Soho Teen
Publication Date: August 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9781616952631

Review: Do you want to read a book about a girl who has to multitask every day? If so then Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy by Elizabeth Kiem is a good book for you. It is about a girl named Marina.

Marina and her father have to escape Russia and Soviet Union. Her mother was born with a special gift and Marina has it too. When Marina and her father arrive in America she wants to become a dancer again. Her father enrolls her in a high school and she quickly makes some friends. She goes to an audition for the American Ballet School. She has a vision of something bad and now she has to decide whom she can and can't trust. What does the vision bring and how will it affect Marina? Who will she trust?

I liked the book and its story line. But this book will better appeal to girls rather than boys. Some boys may like the book because there is some action in the plot. Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy is probably intended for girls ages 10 to 13. Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy has a few high level words and has some Russian in it. The book made me smile when Marina was dancing again. Overall I enjoyed Dancer, Daughter, Traitor, Spy and I hope you will too. It was a great book and girls and boys may appeal to it.

Review written by Elizabeth (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Soho Teen for providing a copy of Dancer Daughter Traitor Spy for this review.

Have you read Dancer Daughter Traitor Spy? How would you rate it?

Review: Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson.

Zondervan
Publication Date: October 2013
List Price: $9.99
ISBN-13: 9780310724414

Review: Cinderella is a classic fairytale. You know the story, you know how it has a lot of magic; but what you didn't know is that the story is still magical without the magic. It is possible, especially in the story The Captive Maiden the story of Gisela a bright courageous girl living with her stepfamily. The story The Captive Maiden was written by Melanie Dickerson who has an amazing skill for writing.

The Captive Maiden is about a young girl Gisela who's father has died leaving her to his evil step-wife Evfemia and her two wicked daughters Irma and Contzel. All her life only the thought of her father, who died when she was little, and the Duke's own son, Valten, kept her happy. Many years later, when running into Fredric Ruexnr, Valten's worst enemy, was when Valten and Gisela met. Valten wanted her to come to the tournament he would be fighting in where he crowns her The Queen of Beauty and Love. This makes Evfemia jealous so she locks Gisela in her room to be bought by none other than Fredric Ruexner. Can Gisela avoid Ruexner and make it to the ball? If so will Ruexner plot revenge on Gisela and Valten? If you want to knowÉ you will have to read The Captive Maiden for yourself.

The Captive Maiden is an interesting story with reasons why the reader may or may not enjoy the book. One thing is there is no magic. Personally, someone might enjoy a Cinderella story without magic. Others might think that there is no Cinderella without magic. So this may change your opinion on if you would read The Captive Maiden. Also The Captive Maiden is incredibly descriptive. I felt like I was Gisela, I was distressed when she was locked in her room, I rejoiced when she was crowned The Queen of Beauty and Love. However at some times Melanie Dickerson was over descriptive, The Captive Maiden has a little violence. Some people get broken bones and there is a little blood. Some readers may think the action is thrilling, some however may not read the book because of the violence. I think the part of The Captive Maiden that made it a truly meaningful story was Gisela's positive attitude. All the years Gisela spent with her stepfamily she had two things to keep her happy, Valten and her dad displaying a true passion for Gisela's love - making for an incredible book.

I would suggest The Captive Maiden to anyone who thought most of the qualities, such as no magic, and description, make for a fantastic story.

Review written by Ashley (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Zonderkidz for providing a copy of Captive Maiden for this review.

Have you read Captive Maiden? How would you rate it?

Review: A Matter of Days by Amber Kizer

A Matter of Days by Amber Kizer.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385739733

Review: Did anyone survive the Bluestar? Can we get to Uncle Bean's place? Will we survive? young Nadia asks herself as she sets on a journey half way across America in A Matter of Days by Amber Kizer.

A Matter of Days is about a journey of clouded Nadia, her younger brave brother, lovable Twawki a dog they discovered, and a street-smart boy named Zack. Nadia's mom has died of a horrific military-made disease called the Bluestar. It has already killed 98% of the world's population but Nadia and her younger brother are snuck shots from their Uncle Bean the man who created the disease. Perplexed by the unpredictable journey they come across many endangerments and menacing people and know only to be a cockroach, which taught to them by their father in the means to survive like one or, by be one in a harsh environment. Will they make it to their Uncle's house in time to save their lives? You'll just have to find out yourself.

A Matter of Days is must-read, and intended for late elementary and middle school students. Trust me there is nothing unappealing about A Matter of Days. One ingredient of a book recipe includes plot and this book has a plot that is mystifying, suspenseful, and engaging. For example in one part, all of a sudden cougars appeared as the characters were sleeping and then Nadia wakes surprised and says "We have no chance to attack without moving towards the gun." And has no idea what to do but then hears barking. Also the book exemplifies descriptive language, for example in the beginning Nadia thinks this sadly as she leaves her home and sees her mom lie dead "Quiet. Peace. Finally. Exhaustion frayed my edges, fringed my cogent mind until world-hazed gray blue." Finally it includes suspense that makes you sit on the edge of your seat and eating your nails wondering what is going to happen. For instance when a stampede comes they turn off the car and then hear gunshots The reader experiences what Zack, Nadia, and Rab see and hear as they panicked in fear. In conclusion check out the outstanding A Matter of Days by Amber Kizer.

Review written by Tej (6th grade student).

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

Have you read A Matter of Days? How would you rate it?

Review: Bloodlines: Heart of War by M. Zachary Sherman

Bloodlines: Heart of War by M. Zachary Sherman. A Bloodlines Novel.

Capstone Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2013
List Price: $7.95
ISBN-13: 9781623700027

Review: Wheew! Pop! Boom! These are sounds you usually hear if you are a Donovan. Blood Lines: Heart of War is an action-packed, thrilling set of stories. The Donovan family is depicted from 1938-2011 as different generations of family members engage in war. M. Zachary Sherman tells stories of courage, strength and bravery.

This book includes 7 members of the Donovan family. In WW2, Michael is a paratrooper on D-Day and Aaron is a saboteur. In the Korean War, Everett is a captain in the Marines and Tony is an engineer who must repair a vehicle to get his fellow soldiers to safety. In the Vietnam War, Verner is an air force pilot supporting the Marines, and Anne is a medic in the nurse corps. Lester is a Navy SEAL serving in Afghanistan and later the Iraq War.

I rate Blood Lines: Heart of War five stars out of five. I think this deserves five stars because it was full of action, so it wasn't completely anti-climactic. This action is appealing to me because my interest in military history. To add to that, there is a sense of family tradition when they go into combat. I like that the Donovans go into the armed forces because of their ancestors, and they do it without complaining, and even when it isn't required. Finally, I learned that warfare is more complex than just two men fighting. This book reveals the truth; you might not even have essentials like food, or water. All in all, Blood Lines: Heart of War appeals to ages ten and up because of violence.

Review written by Ian (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Bloodlines: Heart of War for this review.

Have you read Bloodlines: Heart of War? How would you rate it?

Review: Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Book One in The Adventures of Lily Lapp.

Revell
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780800721329

Review: For Lily, everyday is a new adventure! In the Life with Lily, by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher, five year old Lily Lapp is growing up in an Amish community in rural New York, and she's learning a lot of new thing about the world. In this book, Lily explores the world through the eyes of a young Amish girl who living a life full of surprises, both good and bad. Journey with Lily Lapp through the new experiences you will see in this book, the first in a series.

Lily Lapp is a young girl living on a small Amish farm in upstate New York. Her life is much, much, different from ours, as you will see in this book. But this is the only life Lily has ever known; the simplistic life of any other four year old girl. Lily and her family, her mother, father, and brother, Joseph, own a farm in an Amish village, surrounded by friends and family they have known they're whole lives. But change is inevitable; Lily will have to adapt to a new life as they welcome a new baby brother into their home, a new teacher at school, and many more things. Lily Lapp is starting school with her this year, along with her cousins Hannah and Levi. So is Mandy Mast, the mean girl who always seems to get Lily to do something that gets her into trouble. Lily must learn to live in a diverse world where not everything is as simple as it should be. In Life with Lily, Lily learns that change comes to everyone; she is definitely experiencing it herself. What will happen when Lily must move away from her small farm in upstate New York? Lily's life will never be the same, and with every day she's learning something new!

The book Life with Lily is, in my opinion, a decent book, even if a bit boring. Personally I did not find it suspenseful or engaging, though the detail and imagery was wonderful. I could really feel what Lily was feeling, and take in her surroundings as if I was standing there watching the scene. The plot is hard to identify, as this is the type of book that has many little problems or conflict along the way rater than a main conflict. The characters were not developed as well as I would have liked, but that was probably the best that could happen due to the main character being a five year old. I suppose you would say this story has "flat characters", because we do not find out much about Lily's personality.

Also, I found no suspense or hook to this book whatsoever. I have to admit that it took me over a month to read just because the story struck me as dull and unexciting. The plot did not capture my attention at all, personally. The story does have a very relatable moral, though; change is inevitable. In this book, Lily is facing many changes that are not unlike what everyone else in the world faces. It was interesting to watch as she coped with these changes as she grew through the book. The book does provide fascinating insight about the Amish way of life, and I learned a lot of new things by reading it. I would recommend this book for younger readers, grades 3-5, who aren't looking for a lot of action, but rather looking to learn new things and explore different ways of life. All in all, Life with Lily is a fairly dull book with some good aspects such as the presence of a good moral and creative imagery.

Review written by Amina (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Revell for providing a copy of Life with Lily for this review.

Have you read Life with Lily? How would you rate it?

Review: Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog Confound their Friends, Astound their Enemies, and Learn the Importance of Packing Light by Ysabeau S. Wilce

Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog Confound their Friends, Astound their Enemies, and Learn the Importance of Packing Light by Ysabeau S. Wilce.

Harcourt Childrens Books
Publication Date: May 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780152054090

Review: Jump into a magical adventure! Flora's Fury, written by Ysabeau S. Wilce, is the third book in a series of books about Flora Fyrdraaca, who is a young girl from a magical country called Califa. While reading this book, you will encounter all one can ask for: magic, mystery, and adventure. Make sure to pick up this book before you leave the library!

The main conflict in this action-packed book is that Flora is trying to find her true mother, who was supposed to have been killed by the evil Birdie overlords of Califa. Along the way, she meets Sieur Wraathmyr, an arrogant merchant who always seems to be getting in her way to finding her mother, Tiny Doom. Eventually, Flora learns to work with him and the two become friends. Together, they escape to the pirate island of Barbacoa. On the island, Flora meets her friend Udo who has accidentally been turned into the legendary troublemaker Springheel Jack. With the help of an octopus ghost and a pig, Udo attempts to win a battle against the evil Birdie who can turn himself into a panther, Espejo. However, Espejo runs out into the rain as a panther and starts running to Arivaipa Territory, where Flora believes Tiny Doom is hiding. Trying to beat Espejo to Arivaipa, Flora must travel via express mail. Who will reach Arivaipa first? Will Tiny Doom be everything Flora hoped? To find out, you must read the book!

I recommend Flora's Fury to middle school age people who like to read about adventures and supernatural occurrences because it might not be understood very well by younger people. However, it is a great idea to read the first and second books in the series before reading this book, in order to understand the events better. Have a great time reading this book!

Review written by Laura (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog Confound their Friends, Astound their Enemies, and Learn the Importance of Packing Light for this review.

Have you read Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog Confound their Friends, Astound their Enemies, and Learn the Importance of Packing Light? How would you rate it?

Review: Emily and Jackson Hiding Out by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Emily and Jackson Hiding Out by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. The Companion to Emily's Fortune.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9780385740975

Review: Have you ever liked old western fiction? Have you ever wanted to read dialect, action, and suspense at the end of every chapter? Then Emily and Jackson: Hiding Out by Phillis Reynolds is just the right book for you. The main character is a girl named Emily.

It starts out when Emily, who has inherited a big fortune from her mother, escapes the mean clutches of her Uncle Victor who wants to spend it on himself. She goes to her nice Aunt Hilda's house with an orphan boy who helped her get away from Uncle Victor. She gets settled with her Aunt Hilda and one day goes to the bank to take some money out. But there's danger. They encounter the "Catchum Child Catching Services", and are asked if they have seen a boy who's supposed to go to work in a mill. Plus, Emily's mean Uncle Victor is up and about, trying to find a way to get Emily's fortune. There are a lot of exciting events along the way, and questions will be answered. Will Jackson be sent to the mill? Will Uncle Victor get Emily's 10 million dollars? Or will Emily and Jackson be safe? You have to read the book to find out.

I like Emily and Jackson: Hiding Out because there is a lot of suspense; you can feel the excitement, and it ends in a cheerful way. After every chapter, there is a whole sentence of suspenseful words like, "And what in jumping Joseph do you think they saw?" or, "And what in the rooster's rompers do you think happened next?". It makes me think of the movies where it goes, *DUH-DUH-DUH!*, which I think is both humorous and a good way to end a scene. I also liked that it was a fairly easy book to read and it wasn't like those tedious nonfiction textbooks. I can't think of anything that was bad other than it was too short for me. Things happened a little too fast. However, other than that, this book is a good holiday read. I recommend it for anyone ages 7-9.

Review written by Nathan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Emily and Jackson Hiding Out for this review.

Have you read Emily and Jackson Hiding Out? How would you rate it?

Review: A Thunderous Whisper by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

A Thunderous Whisper by Christina Diaz Gonzalez.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375869297

Review: Touching, realistic, and heartwarming are three words that describe a historical and captivating story about a girl named Ani. She is just an insignificant girl who can't make a difference. That is what her mom has been telling her and she has started to believe as well. In the story titled A Thunderous Whisper, by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Ani's life completely changes in just a small period of time.

Ani lives in a small town in Guernica. She is an unpopular, unimportant girl nicknamed ÒSardine girl.Ó Her father is the only person who has the ability to make her feel important, but he is off fighting in the Civil War. She is miserable and lonely, living in the small town. That changes when she meets Mathias. His father is part of a secret spy network. Ani and Mathias become part of the group, delivering messages to an underground resistance. Ani finally feels like she can make a difference. Then, one day, the Nazis bomb Guernica. Ani helps the survivors recover and take care of them. While doing that she gains a sense of her own strength. Ani is forced to move to England, but she and Mathias plan to continue to fight back as much as they can.

I love this book! I usually do not like historical fiction books but A Thunderous Whisper made it super interesting. I like how they would have Spanish words thrown in at some parts. It made me feel like I was part of the book. It really helped to have the glossary at the end. I think that this book should be targeted towards people ages ten and up. It gives the reader a new sense of confidence and freedom and inspires readers to make a difference as well. I especially like that Ani stays strong throughout the whole book. Even when her mother is killed, she does forget her dreams. Although she is heartbroken, she continues to push on. Ani is a great example for all kids. Ani is encouragement to anybody who feels insignificant. She shows that even though she is in a horrible situation that it is still important to be strong. She pushes through all her fears and weaknesses. I give this book all five stars. They are well deserved. Christina Diaz Gonzalez is a wonderful author!

Review written by Lilia (6th grade student).

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

Have you read A Thunderous Whisper? How would you rate it?