Review: Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien by Anne E. Neimark

Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien by Anne E. Neimark.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2014
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780544023246

Review: Have you read The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings by J.R.R.Tolkien? If you liked those books then you will like Mythmaker. Mythmaker by Anne E. Neilmark describes Tolkien's Journey and inspiration to write his books.

In Mythmaker we learn all about Tolkien's life. The book begins with him being a child in Africa climbing a tree. Later they move to England, and Tolkien's father dies. Tolkien's mother teaches him and his little brother, but soon his mother dies and they are taken to a Catholic orphanage and are kept safe by Father Francis. Later Tolkien meets his love, Edith at the orphanage but Father Francis will not let him marry her or contact her so he can focus on his studies to get into the Oxford University. Although he is accepted and earns his degree he is pulled away for war before he can marry Edith. Eventually however he is able marry her and raise a family. Through learning about Tolkien's life readers will also learn about his inspirations for writing some of the most famous books in history.

Mythmaker is perfect for readers of all ages. Anne Neimark is an excellent writer and she shared the story of a fascinating person who became an amazing writer that wrote about all kinds of tales filled with mythology. Her easily understood and interesting writing style keep readers enthralled. Therefore Mythmaker is an all around great book.

Review written by Max (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien for this review.

Have you read Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien? How would you rate it?

Review: Lost Children of the Far Islands by Emily Raabe

Lost Children of the Far Islands by Emily Raabe.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870910

Review: Do you like mysteries and fantasy? Then you will enjoy the book Lost Children of the Far Islands Emily Raabe. It is a story about three children that go to the Far Islands to save their mother.

Lost Children of the Far Islands is about twins and their little sister that live in Maine when their mother becomes sick. She becomes sick because she is protecting her children from evil, so they go to the far islands and see their grandmother. Their grandmother is folk, which means that she can turn in to creatures and back to humans just like their mother. Then when the kids get there they have to battle a beast, but however kills the beasts will die. Will the kids make it alive?

Lost Children of the Far Islands should be a book for kids in grades 4-6, because it has some big vocabulary and there is a lot going on. So you have to be able to keep up. This book has a great mixture of fantasy and mystery, because the kids have to find out what happens to their mom and what the little sister is trying to say. The fantasy of the book is the way the folk can switch from animals to humans and the other way around. The setting of the book is realistic in the beginning because they are in the normal world and are at their house going to school and being normal people. Then the setting changes to a mysterious place in the wilderness. This is where they met their mother's side of the family. This book would mostly be recommended to a girl.

Review written by Alexa (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Lost Children of the Far Islands for this review.

Have you read Lost Children of the Far Islands? How would you rate it?

Review: The Case of the Stolen Sixpence by Holly Webb

The Case of the Stolen Sixpence by Holly Webb. Book 1 in The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins Series.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2014
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9780544339286

Review: Do you like mysteries and short chapter books? Well The Case of the Stolen Sixpence by Holly Webb, is the perfect book for you. In this book, 12-year-old Maisie Hitchins wants to become a famous detective like her idol, but she can't because she has to stay home to help her grandma out. Then all of a sudden two strange mysteries come to her. Will Maisie be able to solve these mysteries by herself?

Maisie Hitchins loves to hear about mysteries and likes to look for mysteries herself, but she doesn't have free time to do that. Instead she has to help her grandmother with chores. But then all of a sudden while buying food she finds a puppy almost half drowned. After that she is determined to find whoever tried to hurt the little creature. But a couple of days later another mystery comes in. Her friend George is fired from his job because he is accused of stealing money (sixpence) but he really didn't. So now Maisie has to do chores, help her grandmother, and find a way to escape from her house to solve two mysteries. Will Maisie be able to do all these things without getting caught and getting forbidden to solve the mysteries?

The Case of the Stolen Sixpence is intended to be for readers of age 7-10. The book is very easy to read and has easy vocabulary, so a reader 7-10 years of age can understand what is happening in the story. The way the mystery is solved step by step is very clever because the readers can understand how Maisie Hitchins solves it. Both of the mysteries are a little hard to solve but if you really like mystery books and finding out mysteries then try to solve both cases before Maisie does.

Review written by Ashley (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Case of the Stolen Sixpence for this review.

Have you read The Case of the Stolen Sixpence? 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: Enders by Lissa Price

Enders by Lissa Price. The Sequel to Starters.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2014
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385742498

Review: Enders. In Lissa Price's sci-fi action packed book, she teleports you into future America where the world is not what it seem. This phenomenal book will grab attention of lovers of Divergent and fans The Giver. In Enders you will witness the amazing actions that Callie Woodland makes to find out the answers to all her questions.

Callie Woodland just a few months ago destroyed Prime Destination This is where they held donors to be rented out by seniors. Because of the body blank discontinued Callie freed starters and non-starters. But now, Callie is on a mission uncover the identity of the Old Man. Since he can come into her mind and manipulate her body, she has a strong desire to take out the voice out of her head. After witnessing a death of a Metal by the use of mind control. She now has an even stronger desire to take the Old Man out. She is on an assignment for the Old Man she is kidnapped by another starter. While on the journey, she is finds about her father that he isn't really dead from spores but he is really on an assignment to plan the corrupt use of Metals. While not only having found out secrets from her father, but also from someone she thought she could trust. Can she trust Hyden? Or will he lead her straight to doom? Find out in Enders.

This is a spectacular book. There are many reasons to love this amazing sequel. First off, the plot is intriguing; this story will keep you on your toes the entire time. This book is not rushed, but very well paced this book is easy to comprehend compared to other science fiction books. The plot is not only creative, but also intelligent. Second, the way she defines Callie's character will have you wishing to be Callie. With her strength, determination, and skill, every girl will wish to be Callie. As you read you can see that Callie's fierceness and her determination for what she wants. After reading this phenomenal novel this will leave you at the edge of your seat until the very end!

Review written by Arsima (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Enders? How would you rate it?

Review: 100 Things to Do Before You Grow Up by Lisa Gerry

100 Things to Do Before You Grow Up by Lisa Gerry.

National Geographic Kids
Publication Date: April 2014
List Price: $9.99
ISBN-13: 9781426315589

Review: You only have 6,570 days before you grow up. That's it. So make the most of those days before they're gone! But what to do?

100 Days Before You Grow Up by Lisa Gerry is the solution. It gives you fun things to do any day! Some you need to plan, some you can do in your backyard. Some things are crazy, some are just plain fun. Any way you put it, 100 Things To Do Before You Grow Up is the perfect book for you!

I really enjoyed this book. It is for a 3rd grade reading level, boys or girls. But the awesome activities in this book are for anyone. Adults can even have fun with this book! You can do things with your child that you loved to do as a kid, or something you've always dreamed of doing. It is an amazing book for anyone to read, and even I will try some of the activities!

Review written by Alison (6th grade student).

We would like to thank National Geographic for providing a copy of 100 Things to Do Before You Grow Up for this review.

Have you read 100 Things to Do Before You Grow Up? How would you rate it?

Review: FRAIDYZOO by Thyra Heder

FRAIDYZOO by Thyra Heder.

Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 2013
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781419707766

Review: If your looking for a book that little kids would enjoy then the book Fraidyzoo by Thyra Heder is a perfect choice. In this book there is a little girl named Little T and there is an older girl.

In Fraidyzoo Little T is scared to go to the zoo but the older girl REALLY wants to go to. When they do go, it's not the little girl that's afraid; it's the older girl.

Fraidyzoo is a good book for children ages 4-6. They would like this book because of how the words are written the words are written like a little kid would write it so it would be easy for them to read. There is not much characterization so kids can better understand what is going on. There are only a few words per page so it is a short and easy book to read for little kids. Most of the sentences are questions and they are short. For example WAKE UP, LITTLE T! The lesson taught is that to never be afraid of something before you try it. A girl or boy would enjoy Fraidyzoo because it is not completely girly or boyish. There are things boys and girls would both like. Because the book is about a zoo little kids would be interested because little kids love animals. So if you have a little kid at home you should buy this book.

Review written by Kerstin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Abrams Books for providing a copy of FRAIDYZOO for this review.

Have you read FRAIDYZOO? How would you rate it?