Review: FLIP by Martyn Bedford

FLIP by Martyn Bedford.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: April 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385739900

Review: Flip by Martyn Bedford is an amazingly suspenseful book that is packed with marvelous description. This book is a fantastic book for readers who enjoy extraordinary happenings. Martyn Bedford has created a spine tingling story that keeps the reader going through the book. 14 year old Alex wakes up one school day, but not in his body. What he does and what he learns may cause nightmares.

Alex wakes up on the wrong bed in the wrong room in the wrong house. His first thought is that he is in his best friend's house, David. Suddenly he hears the noise of a lady calling him down using the name "Philip." When he looks down, he sees that he is not in his body! He goes to school as Philip Garamond, but he is clueless. On the first day, he takes some of Philip's money and goes to the train station where he is caught by one of Philip's school teachers and is taken to school. There he is forced to go to classes and deal with Philip's friends and even more complicated his two girlfriends. In his attempts to contact home, he learns that his real body is in a coma. Desperately, Alex searches the web for answers to the body switch. He learns that Philip and he were both born on the same day, in the same hospital, at the same time. He finds a solution. Alex is one of the many people who have had their souls switched! But, the question is . . . can he get it back?

Martyn Bedford has nailed this thriller with a soul whose will to live has no limit. The details on every page give you the feeling that you are a part of the journey. This book traps you in its suspense and keeps you reading from the first page. The characters in this book are also very interesting because with the problem of a different body Alex also has to deal with his love life which I think is a fantastic twist. I think Martyn Bedford really captured the essence of teenage life in this book and expressed the problems in a great way. The writing in Flip is very creative, and this creative plot makes this book better than many. The way Alex thinks changes throughout the story like a child growing and developing. He goes from wondering if he should attempt to go back and risk a life or if he should live in the body he now inhabits. To conclude, the ending of this book is very captivating like the grand finale of a firework show. At this point there is no stopping until the book is complete. All the major events lead up to an amazing climax which is unpredictable. Readers will race to the end, but I hope Martyn Bedford's creative writing does not.

Review written by Ravi (6th grade student).

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

Have you read FLIP? How would you rate it?

Review: The FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper

The FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper. One of The Montmaray Journals.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2011
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375858659

Review: Historical, enjoyable, and suspenseful all describe The FitzOsbornes in Exile. This amazing book by Michelle Cooper tells the story of a teenage royal girl, named Sophie, who is exiled out of her beloved country. She tries to make her way in a new world. The second book in The Montmaray Journals series highlights a never before seen way of thinking about World War II. This historical fiction book is about a time when the world was upside down, and Michelle Cooper shows the world a new way of thinking about international affair.

The story begins when the Germans bomb the beloved island of Montmaray. The royal family has to evacuate and moves to England to live with their Aunt Charlotte. As they live in England, many problems present themselves. The marriage season is a difficulty while Sophie and Veronica look for husbands. Veronica is chased by a crazy person who wants her not alive but dead. The campaign to help Montmaray does not go well until certain pieces of evidence come to the eyes of the people running the campaign. While the Germans are bombing the nation of Guernica, refugee children come to live in the second house that the FitzOsbornes own. Many difficulties block Sophie and her crew but she works through it nonetheless. One moment and one speech could change the entire campaign for Montmaray. Will the campaign work or will it fail to do what is right for Montmaray.

The FitzOsbornes in Exile is a book that is a must read for anyone looking for a good book. It informs the reader of what life was like in the1930's and 40's. This unique blend of historical fact and amazing fiction creates the world in which Sophie FitzOsborne lives. Places and events that occurred are all true but the country of Montmarary is not. Michelle Cooper brings together truth and fiction to create a breathtaking book. This different perspective lets the reader look into what life was like during a war of astronomical importance. The preparation for the war and the tearing apart of families is explained in a new fashion. Life still goes on but just not quite in the same way. This book shows how difficult it was to be a civilian in a time of war. The FitzOsbornes in Exile shows what women were expected to do. How the women had very little political power and were perceived as much lower than men and that they could not possibly be equal to a man. The way that women's ideas were taken back then is really emphasized, and I liked that. The FitzOsbornes in Exile engulfed me in its pages and took me away to the place of the characters. I had to rip myself away from the book so that I could do what needed to be done (like homework). The story showed me that there is always more than one way of looking at a situation. Who knows? Maybe one will be the right way. The FitzOsbornes in Exile deserves every star in the sky but since only five are allowed, five will have to do!

Review written by Kathryn (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The FitzOsbornes in Exile for this review.

Have you read The FitzOsbornes in Exile? How would you rate it?

Review: I So Don't Do Famous by Barrie Summy

I So Don't Do Famous by Barrie Summy. An I So Don't Mystery.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2011
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780385737906

Review: "This is the worst vacation of my life." Is this what comes into mind when you think of an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, California? To Sherry Baldwin, it is in I So Don't Do Famous by Barrie Summy. Sherry is the main character in all of the books in the I So Don't Do series. Sherry is an average 13-year-old with her best friend Junie and a ghost police mom as her sidekicks. Sherry's father has remarried to her former teacher, 'The Ruler'. She also has a boyfriend named Josh.

When Sherry wins a magazine contest on an essay about true love, her prize is a vacation to L.A. Sherry really wants her ghost mom to come too, but she has to have a reason. So, while Sherry's mom works on the death of Marilyn Monroe, Sherry & Junie try to solve the case of the magazine editor's missing purse. Being a large magazine company and a famous person, the editor is outraged. Will Sherry save the day? She is expected to, being a natural detective, but Sherry feels guilty. She feels as if she walked the thieves to the purse. On top of it all, her relationship with Josh is falling apart. How did Marilyn Monroe die? What will happen between Sherry and Josh? Most importantly, who stole the purse? All questions are answered in I So Don't Do Famous.

I absolutely love this book for so many reasons. One is that I've read the three previous books, I So Don't Do Mysteries, I So Don't Do Spooky, and I So Don't Do Makeup. Though it would be convenient, you don't have to read these books in order. Another factor of why I love I So Don't Do Famous is the lovable characters. You can completely relate to Sherry's problems and thoughts. Junie could be even your own best friend because of her qualities. Also, the setting is described in a great way, making a whole new meaning of 'show, don't tell'. You could easily get sucked into Sherry's life and what she does. When I sat reading this book for about an hour, I looked up and was confused for a second about where I was. I was so intrigued with I So Don't Do Famous, that I completely forgot what was going on. Last but not least, the way Barrie Summy narrates this book is perfect. She sounds exactly like a 13-year-old throughout all of the books in the series. If you like mysteries and realistic fiction with a hint of the supernatural, I suggest you read I So Don't Do Famous, which is a great book. I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Review written by Sahaj (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of I So Don't Do Famous for this review.

Have you read I So Don't Do Famous? How would you rate it?

Review: Rotters by Daniel Kraus

Rotters by Daniel Kraus.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385738576

Review: A sixteen-year-old boy who is invisible and likes it that way is thrown into the most unlikely situation when his mother is struck down by a truck and he is left to the "care" of his unknown father in Rotters by Daniel Kraus. Imagine the most dysfunctional father, the most horrendous school, and the most bizarre people, and there you have this chilling coming-of-age novel.

Joey's Crouch is a relatively normal straight-A kid living with his single mom in Chicago. He keeps to his trumpet, his studies, and his one friend. It's not much of a life, but it's enough for Joey. But, one afternoon the worst happens - his mother is hit by a truck. Before long, Joey's life is turned upside down. He must leave the city he calls home and head to rural Iowa to live with the father he's never known. As if that's not bad enough, when Joey arrives, he is not welcomed by anyone. He must find his way to his new home - which is empty - and new school - which is worse than he could ever imagine. Joey quickly finds he must make it on his own. It doesn't take Joey long to realize that something just isn't quite right. Aside from the fact that his father is never home, the dilapidated home reeks and he has no food, bed, or clean clothes. Joey is tormented by not only kids, but also teachers at his new school. Plus, his one and only friend in Chicago wants to move on - without Joey. When Joey realizes what his father really does for a living, he begins the most horrific training ever so he can follow in his father's footsteps and be the best grave robber ever.

Daniel Kraus has woven together a tale of adolescence, a tale of grave-robbing, and a tale of death in Rotters. Joey Crouch is a relatively typical adolescent. He's smart, talented, and desperately in search of an identity. His character could easily be used in a study of adolescent development and how adversity can mold a person. It is maddening how such a turn of events can take a boy with such potential and turn him to a life of crime. Desperate for that identity, he finds it among the grave robbers - and ultimately from the most unstable robber of them all. Watching Joey evolve as a character is not only fascinating, but also frightening. The unlikely subject of grave-robbing adds an interesting twist to the story. What a horrible "profession". If nothing else, readers of Rotters will be sure to plan their burial well! It appears to be a sickening, though lucrative career. Finally, Kraus deals with death with a poetic prose that sends chills down the reader's spine. When Joey is left on his own he recalls the last time he was alone - when he stood above his mother's open casket and saw a spider. Kraus wrote, "I thought again of the spider that had watched her from the funeral home ceiling. I imagine it swinging down on gossamer and catching a lucky breeze. I saw it dancing over her folded hands, racing past her necklace, and defying gravity to scale her upturned chin before disappearing inside her, where it would live out its life." Clearly, readers with weak stomachs should stay clear of Rotters! But those readers who enjoy the morose will find Rotters an interesting read. Though it does not entrance the reader, it does build up enough suspense and is just enough unsettling to make readers keep turning pages until they reach the end.

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

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

Have you read Rotters? How would you rate it?

Review: Flip Flop! by Dana Meachen Rau

Flip Flop! by Dana Meachen Rau. A Step Into Reading Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2011
List Price: $3.99
ISBN-13: 9780375865831

Review: Summertime is time for ice cream, beaches, and swimming which is exactly what readers will find in Dana Meachen Rau's book Flip Flop! Two little girls have a hard time deciding what to do on a summer day. They try to decide between swimming, ice cream, and doing cannonballs along with all sorts of other summer fun. Throughout the story, the two girls have an entertaining time coming up with new and exciting things to do.

Flip Flop! is a Step Into Reading book Step 1 which is intended for preschool - kindergarten readers. First, the pictures by Jana Christy add a lot to the book. The colorful drawings show the reader what is happening in the story which helps early readers with comprehension. Plus, the drawings are silly which makes the story fun. Also, the author uses easy words that are repeated. This makes it a good book for children who are just learning how to read. Most the words are one syllable which helps the readers sound out the words too. Plus, all the activities that the girls do as well as how the illustrations and words show excitement will have young readers excited too. Finally, there are two pages of stickers in the back of the book that will definitely add more fun to reading.

Review written by Andrea (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Flip Flop! for this review.

Have you read Flip Flop!? How would you rate it?

Review: The Bloomswell Diaries by Louis L. Buitendag

The Bloomswell Diaries by Louis L. Buitendag.

Kane Miller
Publication Date: March 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9781935279822

Review: Imagine your life, only two days after your parents leave you with your uncle, you read the newspaper with a nice cup of tea and see an article about your parents' death. This is the life of Benjamin Sebastian Bloomswell in The Bloomswell Diaries by Louis L. Buitendag who is a great author who put many of the elements to create a great book into one.

The story begins in England, a nice and cozy place to relax and enjoy yourself. Ben's life never happens to change though considering he isn't allowed to leave the house when his parents aren't home (which they never are). His parents always have important meetings to go to for business, ones that Benjamin cannot attend. Now, Ben's life finally has a chance to change as he must go live with his Uncle Lucas in New York City, while his sister Liza goes to Switzerland for a school.

Benjamin has never been separated from his sister, and the only thoughts he ever has are about her and about his parents; he never worries about himself first. Then, one day, he gets taken by a police officer and is thrown in a mysterious building - one without any friendly invitation. Doors and windows are cracked and broken, there are creaky floorboards and stair steps - all the things you need for a haunted house. When Benjamin realizes he's in an orphanage, countless questions come to mind. How did it come to this? Why did he have to go to New York (the only question he wonders too)? How is his sister doing? Where is Uncle Lucas?

The Bloomswell Diaries is a book that in not only filled with suspense, but it also incudes a little humor and plenty of imagery to make it feel like you are the main character. Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop! The book is very well detailed, creating strong mental images of all the places Benjamin visits throughout the book. This helps to make the story feel more realistic and compelling. The Bloomswell Diaries is an awesome book, and I would recommend it to any middle school reader.

Review written by Max (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Kane Miller for providing a copy of The Bloomswell Diaries for this review.

Have you read The Bloomswell Diaries? How would you rate it?

Review: The Mask Wearer by Bryan Pero

The Mask Wearer by Bryan Pero. An Amos Daragon Fantasy.

Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385739030

Review: Adventure, excitement, and dedication are the three words that describe Amos Daragon: The Mask Wearer. The Mask Wearer is the first book in the Amos Daragon series. The main character is Amos Daragon and he is an intelligent boy who has outsmarted two lords/kings. The author of this book is Bryan Perro.

Amos Daragon was just a farm boy whose parents have lived under Lord Ednof's rule. Amos has helped his family survive by bringing them the food he hunts. His parents work under Ednof's rule so they pay their debt by working hard. Then one day when Amos is off doing his daily work to collect food, he ends up into talking to a mermaid who asks Amos to deliver a message to her friends. So he sets off on his journey where he faces many dangers and makes new friends. Along the way, he ends up saving guy's childhood which had been taken away. He also, fools a King and plays smart with an innkeeper and a leader.

I really appreciated Amos Daragon: The Mask Wearer. The characters are funny and smart. The main character even outsmarts a few people. Also, in the story there are mythical creatures from various early cultures like the Greek, Irish, Egyptian, the Middle Eastern and Europe. There was a lot of adventure and action. One example is a small battle at the end. There was a lot of suspense when medusa set off to trick the Mask wear. The character became more heroic at the end of Amos Daragon: The Mask Wearer. I admired the book very much.

Review written by Vraj (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Mask Wearer? How would you rate it?