Book Review: Mississippi Jack by L. A. Meyer

Mississippi Jack
by L. A. Meyer
Bloody Jack Adventures

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-15-206003-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-15-206003-9
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $17.00

Review: Jacky Faber continues to elude British authorities who want to arrest and hang her for a litany of crimes against the king in the 5th book by L. A. Meyer in the Bloody Jack series - Mississippi Jack. Jacky is a multi-talented debonair teen who seems to constantly find herself in the middle of trouble. However, because of her gifts as well as the help of her friends, she somehow always finds a way out of one problem, but one step away from the next. Jacky's exploits will keep readers on their toes in Mississippi Jack.

Mississippi Jack begins with Jacky sailing into the Boston Harbor in disguise. However, it's not long before the authorities figure out who she is and capture her to return to England for her hanging. Although her betrothed joins on the journey, Jaimy is helpless in this situation. But, before long, the ship is overtaken by "authorities" who claim they have a right to Jacky first. The British begrudgingly give Jacky over, and continue on to England, while Jacky is freed and able to head west through the American frontier. On her journey, she tricks Mike Fink - a tall-tale legend - into "donating" his boat for her to travel to New Orleans. It doesn't take long for Jacky to build a reputation aboard the Belle of the Golden West as she travels earning money performing and entertaining. Along the route, Jacky finds new friends and foes of all kinds, and she also finds herself in more than a little trouble. But, her motivation is always to reach New Orleans so that she can find her way back to Jaimy. Little does she know, her Jaimy is heading down the river right behind her. Will Jacky stay out of trouble long enough to meet up with Jaimy at last in New Orleans? Maybe - maybe not!

At first, Mississippi Jack is a somewhat overwhelming book. Having never read any of the Bloody Jack books, it was difficult to delve into the plot. Plus the writing style took getting used to as it is written in an appropriate manner for the time, "Oh Lord! Is there not a single part of me that will remain unexamined? Will none of my depredations against good manners and god order and propriety in all their unseemly tawdriness be kept from the world's curious eye?" But, although this was a stumbling block at first, it did not take long to grow to appreciate the characters and to become absorbed in the plot. The way the author keeps Jacky and Jaimy in "contact" is through imaginary letters they'd write to one another. Of course neither one ever gets to see or hear these letters, but the reader feels as if they are secretly an intimate part of the romance. Plus, early in the story Jaimy has a love affair with a young girl who ends up on Jacky's ship. This relationship is a fascinating example of a poor abused girl finding what she sees as her savior in his weakest moment - where he too needs saving. Readers can't help cheering the young couple on, while at the same time worry about how it will affect Jaimy's relationship with Jacky. Another great addition to the plot is the constant flux of real people from the frontier that Jacky hears about or comes into contact with throughout her journey. It lends a sort of realism when she talks about Lewis and Clark's expedition like it's happing right then. Plus, the interaction between the whites, the Native Americans, and the slaves also contributes to the success of the novel. Real issues of the times come to life and are played out in fascinating ways in Mississippi Jack - a truly entertaining read!

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

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

Have you read Mississippi Jack? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Roland Wright: Brand-New Page by Tony Davis

Roland Wright: Brand-New Page
by Tony Davis
Roland Wright

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73802-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73802-6
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $12.99

Review: Do you like Medieval Times books? Well I do, so that's why I like the second book in the Roland Wright series: Brand-New Page by Tony Davis. It's a great book for Medieval Times lovers like me. The main characters are Roland Wright and his new friends Humphrey and Morris. There's also a bully who is known for sending pages home on their third day.

It's a bright sunny day. Roland, his brother, and his father are walking to Twofold Castle with Sir Gallawood because he has been accepted to be a new page. This is the first step to be a knight. When Roland gets to Twofold Castle, he meets the man who is the one who gives chores to the pages. Next, he meets an excited boy named Humphrey. Humphrey repeats what he says. When Roland gets to his room and takes out his pet, Nudge, he finds out that mice aren't allowed in the castle. Now he has to find out how to keep Nudge hidden or get rid of him.

Roland Wright: Brand-New Page is a great book, especially for Medieval Times lovers. If you're looking for your first chapter book I suggest this one. I give this book four stars because it had a good theme and good characters, but it could have had a little more detail. If you read this book, I know you will like it.

Review written by Jonathan (5th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Roland Wright: Brand-New Page for this review.

Have you read Roland Wright: Brand-New Page? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Horray for Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke

Horray for Anna Hibiscus!
by Atinuke
Anna Hibiscus

Kane Miller
ISBN-10: 1-935279-74-2
ISBN-13: 978-1-935279-74-7
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $5.99

Review: Did you ever think that your entire family would live together in one house? Don't you think it would be a little crowded with all your aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents? Well in the book Hooray for Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke, Anna lives with her entire family in one house in Africa.

Anna Hibiscus does many interesting things. Something really bad that she does is that she does not let the Saturday weaving aunties weave her hair. She hides so that nobody will see her. Over the week her hair becomes really messy. That Thursday her teacher tells her to go back home because her hair is so messy. Her hair became so tangled that on Friday she has to let her grandmother comb out her hair. Even when her grandmother pulls at her hair she does not complain. Then her grandmother has to cut it. On Saturday she lets the Saturday weaving aunties do her hair so that it does not get messy again. She also goes to see the other side of the city. This is the poor side of the city. She sees all of the poor children without any clothes. She feels sad that they don't have everything she has, so she gives them the clothes that she is wearing, the bows that she has on, and her shoes. These are just a few of the interesting things that Anna Hibiscus does.

My favorite thing about this book is that it is very funny. Anna and her family are very interesting and sometimes funny as well. They are always doing something interesting. Anna's family makes the book fun and interesting to read.

Hooray for Anna Hibiscus! is very interesting. If I had to rate this book my rating would be 3.5 out of 5. It is a very short and easy book, but it is still very interesting. However, if there was one main topic the story would have been more interesting. I loved this book. It is a great book for young readers.

Review written by Yahvi (5th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates, Inc. for providing a copy of Horray for Anna Hibiscus! for this review.

Have you read Horray for Anna Hibiscus!? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Mummy Mayhem by Mary Labatt

Mummy Mayhem
by Mary Labatt
Sam and Friends

Kids Can Press
ISBN-10: 1-55453-470-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-55453-470-8
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $7.95

Review: Do you like mystery books? Well I do! Mummy Mayhem is the third book in the Sam and Friends mystery series. The main character is Sam.

Sam wants to go on a field trip with her friends, Jennie and Beth. Their class is going on a field trip to an Egyptian museum. Someone is leaving Sam dog biscuits and they don't know who it is. Is it the pharaoh Menopharsib trying to find Sam? It's up to Sam and his friends to find out!

Mummy Mayhem is a great book especially for people who like mysteries, dogs, and mummies. I would recommend the book because it was fun to guess who was leaving the dog biscuits for Sam! It ended up having a great ending!

Review written by Hannah (5th grade student).

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

Have you read Mummy Mayhem? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Hide and Seek by Sue Stauffacher

Hide and Seek
by Sue Stauffacher
Animal Rescue Team

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-85849-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-85849-9
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $12.99

Review: In Hide and Seek by Sue Stauffacher, the main characters are Keisha and her Animal Rescue Team. Her Animal Rescue Team is a very helpful business that helps animals in need of help. Hide and Seek is the 3rd book in the Animal Rescue Team series.

Keisha and her friends are getting ready for the spooky and fun Halloween when the phone rings. The caller says that a deer has been spotted with a strange, round, orange object on its head. Who would ever see a deer with that on its head? Now the Animal Rescue Team has to try to catch that fast deer and get that round object off of its head. Can they do it? Keisha and her friends decide to walk and try to find tracks (from the deer). Suddenly they see this deer and..........Read Hide and Seek to find out what happens!

Hide and Seek is a very good book, and I think you should read it too. If you like action and weird happenings then Hide and Seek is the book for you!! This book is for younger readers, but it is fun for higher level readers, too! This book will keep you laughing. Wait until you find out what happens at the end!

Review written by Michaela (5th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Hide and Seek for this review.

Have you read Hide and Seek? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise

Dying to Meet You
by Kate Klise
43 Old Cemetery Road

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-15-205727-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-15-205727-5
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $5.99

Review: Dear Readers:

I'm writing to inform you about the wonderful book, Dying to Meet You , by Kate Klise - a must read for readers of all ages!

A creepy old Victorian mansion located on 43 Old Cemetery Road, is open to rent for the summer. It's quiet and far away from any schools, or parks, where children gather, so Ignatius B. Grumply thinks it will be the BEST place to write the 13th book in his series. I. B. Grumply finds out instead that it's the worst place to finish writing his book. Why? 11 year old, Seymour Hope is living on the 3rd floor, and Ignatius is required to care for him until the end of summer! Once Seymour starts getting on Ignatius' nerves, Seymour tells Ignatius about the ghost, Olive, who is currently living in the cupola! Ignatius is just so stressed between this ghost messing with his head, taking care of Seymour, and writing his 13th book in time! What will happen to Ignatius B. Grumply? Will he go crazy under all the stress and pressure?

Ignatius B. Grumplys troubles start when he writes a note to Anita Sale, stating that he would like to rent a house out for the summer. Anita is thrilled to rent a house out the famous writer who is trying to complete his last book! She sends a brochure and the next day he replies back, "I shall move into the house of Old Cemetery Road this weekend." Anita warns him that with that house contains a responsibility, [Seymour Hope]. Ignatius is so stubborn; he just ignores her and carries out his plan to move in that weekend. Anita receives a message from I. B., saying that something must be done immediately! "There is an 11 year old boy and his cat living on the 3rd floor, they must be removed immediately!" But I.B.s lawyer, E. Gadds had signed a contract stating that Ignatius MUST care for Seymour. Ignatius feels trapped. He continues living in the house, only contacting Seymour through a serious of notes. One day, a couple weeks into his stay, he hears the piano. He angrily writes a note to Seymour demanding he stop it. "It's Olive." That's exactly what he says. What's an Olive? He's thinking? More like, who is Olive? Seymour tries to explain that Olive is his best friend; that it's a ghost. Ignatius is not convinced, so it takes some time for Seymour and Olive to get him convinced. How does Ignatius react once he realizes Seymour is telling the truth?

Dying to Meet You is fantastic! There are surprises on every page, and the feeling of Seymour getting a family, and of Ignatius learning to love somebody and trust somebody is priceless! This book helps people learn about the advantages to having a family and helping one another out. It is an easy and interesting way to keep the story alive. What I like about Ignatius is he is stubborn. It is entertaining to see him childishly bickering with an 11 year old. It also has a smooth and not so drastic movement from one period to the next. It shows the bond between Seymour, Ignatius and Olive getting closer, growing apart, and reuniting again. I also like how Seymour never gives up. He keeps it his way and is very persistent and always tells the truth. The actions the characters in this book make bring the story, settings and plots to life. It is almost like watching a movie in my head. Even though Olive C. Spence is a ghost that you cannot see, she plays a huge role in the story… bringing Seymour, herself and Ignatius closer. I like the way at the end everything falls into place and everything connects and the story ends with everyone happy and satisfied.

Sincerely Yours- Samantha

Review written by Samantha (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Dying to Meet You? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Mermaid's Mirror by L. K. Madigan

The Mermaid's Mirror
by L. K. Madigan
Non-series

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-547-19491-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-547-19491-2
Publication Date: October, 2010
List Price: $16.00

Review: Air, sea, and love are the words to describe The Mermaid's Mirror written by L.K. Madigan. It is a story of a girl named Lena's search for her true self. On Lena's journey in the sea she meets some really interesting people making for an exciting adventure.

At the beginning of the story, Lena doesn't know anything about her past, but one day Lena is saved by a mermaid named Lucy while surfing. Along the way, Lucy gives Lena a mysterious key. Throughout the time Lena spends with Lucy, she goes on some crazy adventures, finds true love in a boy named Nix, and makes some promises to the people under the sea. It is crucial that Selena keeps those promises or bad things will happen to her family on the land. In The Mermaid's Mirror, Lena uncovers the truth about her past, and learns more about her place in the world.

I am astonished by The Mermaid's Mirror. L.K. Madigan wrote the events in a nice flow which made it more thrilling and adventuresome as it the story went along. If you like drama and adventure, then I think this is almost the perfect book for you. If you love reading about romances and broken hearts then put The Mermaid's Mirror at the top of your list. I even cried at the end. I highly recommend The Mermaid's Mirror. I loved it so much that I didn't want to stop reading it, and I wanted it to go on forever.

Review written by Caitlin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Mermaid's Mirror for this review.

Have you read The Mermaid's Mirror? How would you rate it?