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: 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: Cool Beans: The Further Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader

Cool Beans: The Further Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader. The Sequel to The Adventures of Beanboy.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: May 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780544039049

Review: In Cool Beans: The Further Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader, Tucker MacBean is bullied by a kid named Wesley. The art club teacher, Mrs. Frazee, Coach Wilder, and Beecher MacBean are the main characters in this fiction book. Tucker is an ordinary kid, and he makes posters, drawings, and comics of H2O, a superhero, and Beanboy, H2O's sidekick. This book is the second part of a series; the first book is called The Adventures of Beanboy.

In the beginning, Tucker and Beecher go to the sports store. Even though they don't play sports, they went there to cash in the gift cards from their dad. Then Beech saw a baseball helmet that looked like Iron Man's. He grabbed it and he put in on his head. Then Wesley came in, stole the helmet off of Beech's head, and cashed it for himself. Sadly, it was the last one. Tucker went to go chase after him but saw Emma, the shiniest girl in school, and got distracted. So he didn't get the helmet back. Then he went home to do his New Year's Resolution, but instead he started to draw. Tucker continued to draw more Beanboy pages, and then when he returned to school his comic was everywhere. It kept happening and a boy named Owen Skeet was interested, but when he got to art club, he saw the scariest thing, Dillon. He was a big and scary kid that always got detention. The principal announced to the school that they were having an annual carnival, and they would have a dodge ball tournament. Tucker wanted to join with his art club members because the helmet Wesley bought was the prize.

I really liked Cool Beans: The Further Adventures of Beanboy because it was funny, surprising, and very interesting. At first, I thought it was just good, but then when I got into the book more, it became more exciting and I thought, "What is going to happen next? " For example, are Emma and Tucker going to do anything together or what is Wesley going to do with Tucker? What will happen when he entered the dodge ball tournament? It also makes you wonder who is posting Tucker's comics.

It is very funny because Beech says his C's like T's, and since he is a little kid he does funny little kid things. Students in middle school will like this book because it is just right reading level, and most of it takes place in a middle school. Girls and boys will enjoy this book because it involves both girls and boys in it so both genders can relate to it. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the beginning because it doesn't hook you as much as the middle and the end do. Overall, the book is hard to put down because the reader can't predict what will happen.

Review written by Aiden (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Cool Beans: The Further Adventures of Beanboy? How would you rate it?

Review: Where I Belong by Mary Downing Hahn

Where I Belong by Mary Downing Hahn.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: September 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780544230200

Review: If you like outdoors, woods, adventure and action, you would enjoy the book Where I Belong by Mary Downing Hahn. The book is full of action and is also perfect for anyone who loves the woods.

In this fiction book, Brendan's mom left him at the hospital when he was just born. Brendan was sent to a new family, but it didn't work out. Brendan finally met Mrs. Clancy, his foster mom, who takes good care of him. Brendan doesn't love Mrs. Clancy, but she treats him well. Brendan is an artist, but he learns that school is no place for drawing. Brendan disliked school. Consequently, he flunked sixth grade, and was enrolled into summer school. In summer school, Brendan meets his new best friend, Shea. When Brendan and Shea are not in school, they spend their time in the woods building their tree house. They also enjoy time spent with their friend, the Green Man, a homeless old man. Brendan and Shea's lives are progressing very steadily until something happens that changes them forever.

I really enjoyed Where I Belong. I love how the author included so many details. I could really picture in my mind what was going on. The book was super interesting, and I didn't want to stop reading because I was excited to find out what happens next! The story seemed so real. All of the characters are very unique in their own ways. Shea is a tomboy, Brendan is an artist, and the Green Man is a homeless old man. Both boys and girls would enjoy the book. There are elements that boys would like, such as the woods. Also, there are things girls would like, for example, Shea and her personality. I think this book would be best for middle school and up because anyone younger wouldn't understand the plot. To conclude, Where I Belong is a great book, and I would highly recommend it.

Review written by Ali (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Where I Belong? 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: Family Ties by Gary Paulsen

Family Ties by Gary Paulsen. A Kevin Spencer Book.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: July 2014
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385373807

Review: Do you like books about family mess-ups, and about teenage situations? Well then Family Ties is a great book for you written by Gary Paulsen. In this book Kevin Spencer a fourteen-year-old boy, is considered a family man. He also has a girlfriend of his own. But when his uncle comes, he now has to plan a wedding for them. But with his own troubles, and activities at school, will he be able to do it?

Family is important to Kevin; he's always bringing the family together. One Sunday afternoon while the Spencer family is minding its own business, uncle Will comes. It turns out that uncle Will comes to tell the Spencer's that he has gotten married. Nobody knew about their marriage and they want to see them get married in person, so they decide to make a new wedding. Since everybody is busy, Kevin has to plan it all on his own. Will he be able to do it while having schoolwork and his teenage problems? And will he be able to make it the special wedding he wants it to be?

Family Ties is intended to children 10-14 years of age. It has a few words young children might not understand and there are some feelings that older children can relate to better than younger readers. This story is great for young adults (10-14) because it has humor and excitement young adults will love. It is also filled with a range of emotions. Family Ties will catch your attention, and you will not want to put the book down. But if you don't believe me get it for yourself and have a great time reading Family Ties.

Review written by Ashley (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Family Ties? 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: Three Bird Summer by Sara St. Antoine

Three Bird Summer by Sara St. Antoine.

Candlewick Press
Publication Date: May 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780763665647

Review: The idea of a neighbor girl filled me with dread, Adam said in the car driving to his grandma's cabin. The book, Three Bird Summer, written by Sara St. Antoine, contains many outstanding adventures. The main character, Adam, finds notes in his Grandma's cabin saying there is a hidden treasure, and he needs the new neighbor, Alice, to help him. Will Alice try to find it with him? Will they spy the treasure? Read Three Bird Summer to find out!!

For as long as he could remember, Adam went to his grandma's cabin in the summer with his crazy cousins who always pulled pranks on him, his Mom, and Dad. This year, only his mom and he were going because in the winter his parents got divorced. He soon found out that a new neighbor moved in next door to Grandma's, and her name was Alice. He thought she was going to be just like the popular girls at school, but it turned out that she was different than them and wanted to be friends with him. Soon, he started finding notes in his room saying there was a treasure nearby. He needed Alice to help him find it. Many exciting adventures followed, and if you want to know what happened, read the book to find out!!

I think the book Three Bird Summer is really great. It always left me thinking, and I could NOT set it down. I just wish the book were longer because it was incredible. I would love it if there were another book, maybe even a whole series!! I think both boys and girls would like it because it's about camping and going on interesting expeditions. It is very adventurous. I think it is for grades 4-8 because even though it is 246 pages; the vocabulary words aren't too difficult or too easy. If you love camping and going exploring, I would really recommend reading this book.

Review written by Mia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Candlewick Press for providing a copy of Three Bird Summer for this review.

Have you read Three Bird Summer? How would you rate it?

Review: Timmy Failure Now Look What You've Done by Stephan Pastis

Timmy Failure Now Look What You've Done by Stephan Pastis. Book 2 in the Timmy Failure Series.

Candlewick Press
Publication Date: February 2014
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9780763660512

Review: Imagine this. You are a helpless little boy running his own business; he has a mom, a great aunt, a girl that's totally crazy for him, and a 1,500-pound polar bear as a work partner. What can possibly go wrong? In the book Timmy Failure Now Look What You've Done by Stephan Pastis, learn exactly what it is to be a professional detective, or you might just figure out the mystery of the millennium.

You might think having your own detective business is an easy thing, well trust me, it's not! Timmy has no time for shenanigans, he would much rather admire his greatness than do anything, but the point is that he has no time for that either, the Worldwide Enemy of Da Goodness In Everything (aka the wedgie) will do everything in her power to make herself sound like the best person in the world, but Timmy will not let that get in his way to becoming the greatest detective there ever was. All is peaceful, but not until the superintendent announces a multi-school best detective contest makes Timmy loose his mind. When anyone mentions anything about contests or detectives, Timmy must win. But when Timmy gets in trouble one day and cannot turn in his participation form, he is not able to win unless he goes to another school with a later due date. Timmy is now on a mission to get moved to a school for bad kids, Glouberman academy.

This book is a perfect book for both girls and boys young and old. Although this book has some vocabulary that may not be understood by little children, it is still the perfect book. And do you know what's even better? There is a whole series of Timmy Failure books written by Stephan Pastis. This book is a great choice for anyone who is a mystery, comedy, or Stephan Pastis fan. This book will also help children find out how important friendship is and that in every situation you should be supported. Learn what it's like to be a true detective as you go on exciting and ironic adventures with Timmy and friends. So you probably think that you have everything down and understand all of this so well, you can just go to the store and buy this book right now, but there is just one more thing you need to know, Timmy's quote and this just might be the only three things you need to know about him; I was born, I founded an empire, I exhibit greatness, said by Timmy Failure.

Review written by Julie (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Candlewick Press for providing a copy of Timmy Failure Now Look What You've Done for this review.

Have you read Timmy Failure Now Look What You've Done? How would you rate it?

Review: Boys of Blur by N. D. Wilson

Boys of Blur by N. D. Wilson.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780449816738

Review: Imagine yourself running through the woods, badly bruised and cut being chased by a deadly stank. The sugar cane is burning; you're running as fast as the speed of light, not daring to look back. All of a sudden, you feel a painful sensation on the back of your head, and you are suddenly falling to the ground unconscious. Slowly feeling your life draining away, you're either quickÉor you're dead. This is just a small section of Boys of Blur by N.D Wilson.

In Boys of Blur, courage is a trait you need to survive in the woods. That's exactly what Charlie and Cotton have. It all starts at a funeral for the death of Willie Wisdom, a former football coach. Charlie doesn't know it, but he has a step cousin, Cotton. Once Charlie meets him at the sugar cane farm, Cotton shows Charlie something that no one else knows. The church they were at was vandalized, but even more surprising, there was an unknown warrior trying to steal the body of Willie Wisdom! There is much more danger than the animals and the occasional burning of the sugar cane. Stanks are an unknown species of a ghost like creature, who can hunt you down. The horrible smell can knock you out or even worse, kill you! The three of them have to work together to survive, but there is much more ahead.

What I liked most about the book is that the author always had a suspenseful ending to each chapter. I always wanted to read more. Each chapter interested me, whether it was action or arguments. When Charlie and Cotton ran, it was so suspenseful; it made me fall off the edge of my seat! The reader never suspects what is going to happen! This book could be recommended to boys and girls. This is a good book for middle school students and elementary kids. The setting makes the plot eerie and spooky. You don't know what's going to happen to the characters or what's going to pop out from behind a bush. Every second, the protagonists had to be aware of their surroundings, especially if they were vulnerable to the stanks. The fate of the world depends on Charlie and Cotton, and that makes the book very exciting. In my opinion, the characters show admirable traits. Charlie would do anything to save some one's life. The way he risks his life to get the antidote for Cotton was really brave. Sugar also shows courage because he helps Charlie get across the swamp. If you enjoy books full of action, suspense, and surprising events you should read Boys of Blur.

Review written by Nicholas (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Boys of Blur? How would you rate it?

Review: Say it Ain't So by Josh Berk

Say it Ain't So by Josh Berk. A Lenny and the Mikes Book.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870095

Review: Say it Ain't So is a book about three 7th grade boys that are, in way, detectives but also two of them are baseball players (Mike and Lenny). Mike and Lenny love baseball it is their dream to play professional baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies. Mike used to be a pitcher until he broke his arm; he is now the Schwenkfelder Mustangs' starting catcher after Davis Gannet (an 8th grader at Schwenkfelder Middle School) had stolen Kyle Webb's father's phone. Once his dad finds out that Davis stole his phone, he told Coach Zo, and Davis was kicked off the team. But there was another mystery on their hands; someone on the Griffith Griffins was sealing their secret system for relaying a pitch type. This could ruin them! But they found out that it's not one person, it's three!

The book is amazing I recommend this book for people in grades 6 through 8 because Say It Ain't So has some sophisticated wording here and there. I am not really into baseball but this book made me a little more interested. Say it Ain't So overall had a great storyline and well balanced characters. The genre of the book is mystery with realistic story tale elements. I'd say my favorite part of the story is when Mike, Other Mike, and Lenny figure out who is cheating and who stole the signs. It was a real game changer!

Review written by Aaron (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Say it Ain't So for this review.

Have you read Say it Ain't So? How would you rate it?

Review: Snap Decision by Nathan Whitaker

Snap Decision by Nathan Whitaker. The first book in the Truth, Lies, and Football Series.

ZonderKidz
Publication Date: July 2014
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780310737001

Review: Boom! Bang! Hit! A whistle, with little time left in the 4th quarter in a football game at the other team's side of the field. Chase, the QB was deciding what play to do as they trailed. Then suddenly he says, hike. Nervously, Chase caught the ball, with his sweat dripping down his uniform. Looking, dodging, duckingÉthen the game ended. Half of the fans cheered, and the other half of the fans cried, as they were depressed. If you want to read more, check out Snap Decision by Nathan Whitaker.

In Snap Decision, the main character is Chase, the quarter back for the junior varsity team. His team is called the Carr Loggerheads. The day after Chase had played against the Raiders, his coach wanted him to tryout for varsity football with his friends Drew, Solomon, and Nick. Chase had thought about it, he tried out and made the team. The good thing is he had made the Varsity team, but he wasn't the starting Q.

The varsity team had made it to the state championship game against the Flagler Engineers. In the 4th quarter down by 6 with very little time left, the starting QB, Tripp, got injured. It is Chase's turn to get in the game and pump up the team. He wondered which play to call and how to execute it, with the ball on the other teams field. Next, the game gets really exciting.

In my opinion, Chase is a great football player that never gives up. He is a huge role model to teach kids to focus on their goals. He is courageous, brave, and never has a doubt in his mind. When each chapter ended, everything was resolved. I didn't really like that because I wished the author had left me with a little suspense. The vocabulary was between a 5-6 grade levels, in my opinion, because all the words I had known. This book is a football, sporty, book. In my opinion this book is mostly for boys. Overall, Snap Decision is an entertaining book that teaches me anything can happen in the end. I would like to read this book again when I get older.

Review written by Krishaan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank ZonderKidz for providing a copy of Snap Decision for this review.

Have you read Snap Decision? 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: Cheesie Mack is Not Exactly Famous by Steve Cotler

Cheesie Mack is Not Exactly Famous by Steve Cotler. A Cheesie Mack Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2014
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385369848

Review: Do you like comedy, suspense, and adventure? Than Cheesie Mack is Not Exactly Famous is a perfect book for you.

Cheesie Mack is Not Exactly Famous is the fourth book in the Cheesie Mack series. In this book Cheesie and Georgie find an artifact that makes them famous. Meanwhile Georgie's dad is getting married, Georgie loses the ring, and Cheesie has trouble getting the correct copy of a Harry Potter book with J.K Rowling's signature after Cheesie's sister copies it. I encourage you to read the book to find out how Cheesie switched the Harry Potter books and if Cheesie and Georgie found the ring.

Cheesie Mack is Not Exactly Famous is intended for ages 10-12 because it has some harder words that I didn't know but it gives a definition on most of them. This book was a funny book and had pictures, lists, information that would be on Cheesie's website, and other areas like that to keep the book interesting. I also personally like how it tells multiple stories. It also refers back to stuff earlier in the book and stuff that happened in other books. Overall this book was really good so if you want to know how the rest of the story plays out you have to read it for yourself.

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Cheesie Mack is Not Exactly Famous for this review.

Have you read Cheesie Mack is Not Exactly Famous? 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: Alice Miranda At Sea by Jacqueline Harvey

Alice Miranda At Sea by Jacqueline Harvey. An Alice-Miranda Book.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2014
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9780385743754

Review: Oh no! On board the Octavia, jewel thieves threaten to turn a grand wedding party into havoc. Alice-Miranda and her friends are determined to find out what's going on. Join them in this intense mystery by reading Alice-Miranda At Sea by Jacqueline Harvey.

In this story, Alice-Miranda's aunt Charlotte is getting married to famous movie star Lawrence Ridley on a fancy yacht called the Octavia. It's a weeklong trip and Alice-Miranda has brought some friends and makes a few new ones. The Queen is on board because Alice-Miranda's grandmother is her best friend, but even with the very high security, there are rumors of stolen jewels. In addition, bad storms make this trip even more difficult. Read this astonishing book to see the outcome!

The setting, aboard a royal ship, makes this mystery book intriguing because there is stormy weather that causes the boat to move violently from side to side. This creates drama in the story. There is also a lot of suspicion from the kids of the jewel thieves, and even a few minor injuries. So, at first it's just joyfulness in the atmosphere, but later in the story it becomes chaos due to the weather and jewel thieves. All of these bizarre events will have you reading longer and pondering what will happen next. I recommend this book to girls who are 7-11 years old because the words are easy to read for that age and the main character is Alice-Miranda, who is almost 8 years old. Her two friends, Millie and Jacinta, are joining her, too. However, there are a few boys in this story, including Alice-Miranda's new cousin Lucas and his friend Sep.

In summary, Alice-Miranda At Sea by Jacqueline Harvey is an appealing read, with the dramatic events and mystery. Wait- Where are my new diamond earrings?

Review written by Madison (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Alice Miranda At Sea for this review.

Have you read Alice Miranda At Sea? How would you rate it?

Review: Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly by Conrad Wesselhoeft

Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly by Conrad Wesselhoeft.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: April 2014
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780544232693

Review: Have you ever had to go through grief and pain? In Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly by, Conrad Wesselhoef, A teenager named Arlo has to get over grief when his mom dies. How will he get over the grief? Will he suffer or prosper? Follow Arlo and his epic stunts in Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly!

Five months ago Arlo's mom had died. When she had one to the shop to get Arlo's sister Purple Gatorade, some lunatic shot her. Siouxsie (Arlo's little sister) is still grieving because she took it harder then Arlo did, Arlo loves his mom, but he has different ways to deal with the grief. He rides his dirt bike, and he plays a game called Drone Pilot. When Arlo beats the top player in it, a person from the Air Force, he gets a message from someone who works with the Air Force. Because of Arlo's amazing score in Drone Pilot, he is invited to join the Air Force in Texas. This opens Arlo up to many challenges; one of which is to beat all the other pilots in the trial.

Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly is a great book. I love the tragic scenes and the action that filled the pages of this book. It shows a relationship between tragedy and action. It is nice to know how all people have different ways to deal with grief; people should know that there isn't one "right" way. I recommend this book to people 12 and up. The book isn't appropriate for younger kids because of the language. A boy might like the book more than the girl because it is mostly about motorcycles, drones and much other action filled objects. This book has many stunts in it, and some end up good while others end up bad. In essence, Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly, combines a perfect balance of action and tragedy.

Review written by Matthew (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly for this review.

Have you read Dirt Bikes, Drones, and Other Ways to Fly? How would you rate it?

Review: On the Scene by Robin Caroll

On the Scene by Robin Caroll. A Samantha Sanderson Book.

Zondervan
Publication Date: May 2014
List Price: $8.99
ISBN-13: 9780310742470

Review: Have you ever experienced bullying or seen one of your friends be bullied? Well in Samantha Sanderson: On The Scene by Robin Caroll one girl Samantha or Sam knows becomes a victim of string attacks, and Sam wants to find out who is doing it. This is the second book in the Samantha Sanderson series.

In Samantha Sanderson: On The Scene, Sam and her best friend Makalya do cheer at their school. Sam's mom is a journalist who travels around the world, and when Sam gets older, she wants to be just like her mom. Sam is in the newspaper at her school. So is the girl Nikki, who is getting bullied by someone at the school. To make matters worse, Nikki's parents might be getting a divorce soon. Nikki and Sam have never been the best of friends; in fact they were almost enemies until the bulling started. Nikki's best friend is Aubrey who is mean to almost everyone. When Nikki first starts getting bullied, she doesn't want anyone to know about it mostly because it may have a chance to harm her chance of becoming homecoming queen. On top of all of this, there is a break in at the school; someone steals computers out of the lab. Sam and Makalya might have been responsible for part of it. If you would like to find who did it and more, read the book.

I liked Samantha Sanderson: On the Scene a lot. It was very interesting and left me anxious to come back and read more. I liked they way the book was formatted so that the chapters ended in just the right spots, to make readers want to read more. Overall, the book was great overall and a good story that you would want to read again and again. This is a good story also because anyone may be able to relate to the main character, Sam. This is a great realistic fiction book and very informal. It handles serious situation in bullying and teaches a lesson in a great story. You can learn a lot from the fictional character Sam Sanderson.

Review written by Sydney (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Zonderkidz for providing a copy of On the Scene for this review.

Have you read On the Scene? How would you rate it?

Review: The Art of Secrets by James Klise

The Art of Secrets by James Klise.

Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2014
List Price: $17.95
ISBN-13: 9781616201951

Review: Smell the smoke? A fire has started, and it's burning down Saba Khan's apartment in Chicago. The Art of Secrets by James Klise tells the story about a fire that burns down an apartment and a community that comes in and helps them get back on their feet.

The story begins when Saba's apartment burns down. She and her family lose everything accept their rusty old Ford. Saba's friends from school, Kendra, and her brother Kevin Spoon want to arrange a fundraiser at the school to raise money for the Khans. In a trash can, they find a piece of Henry Darger's artwork that is worth $100,000 dollars in a trash can and give it to the Khans for the auction. But good intentions turn bad when the painting is stolen! Teachers and students start to point fingers, as the auction gets closer and Saba's already complicated life gets even more confusing. What happens next? Will the artwork be found in time? There truly becomes an art to secrets!

I really liked The Art of Secrets. It has mystery, romance, drama, and reality all combined into one engaging story. I think that some of the language is not necessary for a young adult book. In addition, the story contains some adult concepts that may not be appropriate for younger children. That being said, both boys and girls would like this book, although certainly the romance is geared more to girls. But anyone who enjoys a good mystery would enjoy The Art of Secrets. All in all, I think that this book is good for middle school and young adult readers. I really liked this book and I'm sure you will too!

Review written by Katlyn (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Art of Secrets? How would you rate it?