Review: Anastasia Again! by Lois Lowry

Anastasia Again! by Lois Lowry. An Anistasia Krupnik Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: October 1981
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780544336674

Review: Have you ever wondered how moving to the suburbs would be? Have you ever been nervous to be in a new place? Well, Anastasia did. In Anastasia Again by Lois Lowry, Anastasia doesn't want to move to the suburbs. She tries so hard to convince her parents not to move, but it doesn't work.

12-year-old Anastasia Krupnik thinks that moving to the suburbs is going to be horrendous. She tries to convince her parents with assumptions of the suburbs that sound terrible. Anastasia also gets her little brother mad. To make Anastasia cheer up a little about the suburbs, they let her pick what should be in the house. She knows, if she gave answers that are unbelievable they would never move. So she asks for a tower in her room. She thinks that will never happen. Will Anastasia be able to convince her parents to stay where they are? You'll have to read to find out.

Anastasia Again teaches a lesson. You should never make assumptions about something you don't know. Anastasia makes assumptions about the suburbs, but finds out her assumptions aren't always correct. She is also nervous of moving in a new place because she is used to living in the city. Although Anastasia Again is about a girl, this book is actually focusing on how she is having a hard time about moving. Anastasia Again is for ages 10-13 because Anastasia is that age, and anyone could relate to her if you have ever moved before. I recommend this book because if you are like Anastasia and you have to move, you would know what to do. Also Anastasia Again teaches a good life lesson about making a judgment. I recommend you read this book because it is very helpful. She faces the same problems you might face today. You should read Anastasia Again by Lois Lowry today!

Review written by Devanshi (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Anastasia Again!? How would you rate it?

Review: Kuma-Kuma Chan by Kazue Takahashi

Kuma-Kuma Chan by Kazue Takahashi. A Kuma-Kuma Book.

Museyon Inc
Publication Date: December 2014
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9781940842011

Review: Do you sometimes just want to lay down and read a short easy book? Well then Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear is the book for you. Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear is written by Kazue Takahashi.

In Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear there is an inside look at Kuma-Kuma Chang's life deep in the mountains where he lives and does everyday activities like drawing in his coffee by pouring milk in it and he sweeps the rooms of his house. It also shows what activities he does in different seasons.

This picture book is meant for ages 5-6 because it is a quick easy book. Even though it is meant for younger ages I still found it interesting. It also has very good drawings that will keep young children interested. Overall I recommend this book especially if you know or have a young child.

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Museyon Inc for providing a copy of Kuma-Kuma Chan for this review.

Have you read Kuma-Kuma Chan? How would you rate it?

Review: Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen

Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen.

Ember
Publication Date: January 2011
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780375855429

Review: Many people are inspired by smaller stories written in a non-fiction form, I read this book and this story inspires me so much. Notes From the Dog is a book about a boy named Finn, his best friend (that is basically living with him), and his dog Dylan. One day Finn and Dylan got a new neighbor, and her name is Johanna she has breast cancer. Finn and Matthew were helping Johanna raise $10,000 in sponsorship money for a triathlon that Johanna was participating in. About midway through the story just a day before the triathlon Johanna gets sick and cannot attend the triathlon but instead Matthew and Finn attend it because they know that this triathlon meant a lot to her. The notes that the dog writes are actually written by Johanna and quite frankly the notes are very philosophical. At first Finn thought that Dylan was writing the notes but then realized that Johanna was writing them.

Overall the book is amazing, I recommend Notes From the Dog to anyone who loves heartwarming books and stories. This story made me actually think about my life decisions and helped me make better ones. It has a moral, which is to basically help everyone and treat everyone with respect whether or not you are friends with him or her. Even if you don't know them still show them, respect to show that you are a good person. Notes From the Dog is for people at about the age of 12-14 because this book has some strong language and the maturity of the issue and the way it was presented. This book has really touched me, and I know that this will really touch you. I highly recommend this book.

Review written by Aaron (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Ember Publishing for providing a copy of Notes from the Dog for this review.

Have you read Notes from the Dog? How would you rate it?

Review: The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for the Pyxis by Zoe Ferraris

The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for the Pyxis by Zoe Ferraris.

Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2015
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385392167

Review: BOOM! The argh is crashing! People shout all around the massive boat. This sets the stage for The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for Pyxis written by Zoe Ferraris, a story about two kids (Emma and Herbie) who travel to outer space to find Emma's mom and dad. They then take a boat through a portal to a sea in outer space where they begin their quest to save the planets and her parents. Along the way they encounter a ship called the Argh and the people aboard it. Some of the people on the ship with them and go them on their adventure.

The way Zoe Ferraris imagines space and the planets in the book is cool and gives you a new perspective on constellations.The idea of pirates in space is really compelling and interesting. This book is recommended for ages 8 - 12 because of some bloody or graphic parts and some inappropriate words for younger readers. Galaxy Pirates is really good, and I enjoyed it. I recommend it to any kids within the ages recommended above. I am also glad that when I finished it it sounded like there is going to be another book.

Review written by Ethan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Crown Books for Young Readers for providing a copy of The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for the Pyxis for this review.

Have you read The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for the Pyxis? How would you rate it?

Review: Whippoorwill by Joseph Monninger

Whippoorwill by Joseph Monninger.

HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780544531239

Review: Claire hears the chinking of WallyÕs chain on the pole next door. ItÕs not even that she likes dogs; she just doesnÕt think anything should have to go through what he has. Eventually Claire convinces Danny, WallyÕs owner that Wally is a good dog deserves to be treated like it. Claire, and Danny develop feelings for each other, but what happens when DannyÕs abusive father gets tired of Wally? Read Whippoorwill by Joseph Monninger to find out.

Junior high, and high school kids will love Whippoorwill because of all of the crazy plot twists, and the plot and writing is done so well that even adults will love Whipporwill just as much as kids. Author Joseph Monninger really knows how to write from all different points of view, almost as if he was living the story. This book shows that a little kindness goes a long way. Whippoorwill has everything you might want in a book, an adorable dog, sad start, and just a hint of romance.

Review written by Emma (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Whippoorwill? How would you rate it?

Review: How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by Steve Jenkins

How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by Steve Jenkins.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780544313651

Review: Have you ever wondered what it's like to be an animal? Have you ever wondered how they survive in the wild? Well, in How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by Steve Jenkins is a perfect choice for curious elementary students who like animals. This book is filled with many interesting facts on a variety of animals. It explains how a python can swallow a pig, how to catch a meal like a crocodile, or even how to disguise yourself like an octopus. The vocabulary is not hard. A first and second grader might enjoy this book but it would have to be read to them and they might need to see the pictures to understand the concept of the book. The pictures are fun and interesting, so all readers are sure to be engaged. Adults could learn something from this book too. The vocabulary is appropriate for an upper-elementary reader.

I enjoyed this book; it was very interesting. At first when opened the book; I thought it was for little kids because of all the pictures, but then when I started reading it, I saw it was very informative. If you like animals and want to learn about them, How to Swallow a Pig, is for you.

Review written by Jenny (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom for this review.

Have you read How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom? How would you rate it?

Review: Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football by Howard Bryant

Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football by Howard Bryant.

Philomel Books
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780399169045

Review: TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football by Howard Bryant is about players in American Football becoming legends and playing in the Super Bowl, and how coaches become some of the most famous people in the world, and it's even about how they got the trophy named after them! Legends gives readers an inside look into the world of football.

Legends by Howard Bryant is a book that I enjoyed very much because I love Football. It probably is not the best choice for people who don't have a passion for the sport. The vocabulary in this book is average for a middle school student, which makes it perfect for that age group. Howard does an amazing job at making all of his chapters a cliffhanger by showing most of the teams scores and wanting you to read the next chapter wanting to know which teams will make the playoffs and the Super Bowl, which makes you want to read more and more, and then you realize that the book is over. Legends is a great book to reach those reluctant middle school readers.

Review written by Ansh (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Penguin Random House for providing a copy of Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football for this review.

Have you read Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football? How would you rate it?