Book Review: Nate the Great and the Hungry Book Club by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat

Nate the Great and the Hungry Book Club
by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat
Nate the Great

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73695-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73695-4
Publication Date: November, 2009
List Price: $12.99

Review: Nate the Great and the Hungry Book Club by: Marjorie Weinman, and Mitchell Sharmat, is a great children mystery. There is Nate the Great; he is a detective, a very clumsy detective to be exact. He is working hard to state HIS case correctly to his friend Rosamond, who thinks her conclusion is correct. Rosamond is one of Nates close friends. Not only are they friends, but she is the president of the book club that she created. When Rosamond goes into the kitchen to get something, she notices that something isn’t right with the cook book she had recently purchased. She read it through before she bought it, and everything was in quite fine condition. But now something has happened to her book. The following day the same thing happens to another one of her books. She is now FURIOUS; she wonders what people could possibly want with her books? Will they ever find out what happened? Or will this mystery stay un-solved?

First thing in the morning Rosamond goes to the book store and buys some books so she can read them to all of the members of her club, and then share their feelings about the book with one another. After checking out all of the books, and closely reading all of them, she walks over to Nate’s house, with all of the books on her head. When she walks in she tumbles and the books she is carrying on her head fall ker plop onto the floor. She picks them up, and tells Nate the exciting news about her book club. Rosamond has some bad news also for Nate; someone is ripping pages out of her books. So that day Nate goes to the meeting with her to collect clues. Nate investigates, determined to make this mystery history.

I have two younger sisters both at the age of four, and I decided to read this story to them. Now they keep asking for me to read it again, and again! This book is a very good book, and is very consistent. It does not go off topic, which makes it much easier for my sisters to understand. With a rating of five, I will give this book a five. I did so because of how much detail is in the book, which makes you feel like you are there, trying to find out what happens. An example is: “I sat down in my favorite chair. I opened my Harvard Hedgehog book. I turned to page fifteen. There was a picture of Harvard getting his photo taken in front of a big clock.” When I was reading that part, I felt like there was a movie in my head, remaking from a book, to the big screen. I would recommend this book to any young reader who is interested in sleuthing, or loves to read. This is only one book from the series of Nate the Great, so if you read the book and you like it, you should check out the rest of the series. I think Marjorie Weinman, and Mitchell Sharmat should keep writing young children’s books, because I see how happy my sisters get when I read it to them, I can’t imagine how many other children get happy when they also read it. So I think they should keep writing, and keep putting smiles on children’s faces!

Review written by Briana (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Nate the Great and the Hungry Book Club for this review.

Have you read Nate the Great and the Hungry Book Club? How would you rate it?

Book Review: I Learned a New Word Today . . . Genocide by Elizabeth Hankins

I Learned a New Word Today . . . Genocide
by Elizabeth Hankins
Non-series

The Key Publishing House Incorporated
ISBN-10: 0-981-16060-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-981-16060-3
Publication Date: October, 2009
List Price: $14.99

Review: Genocide - a topic typically reserved for 8th grade history (at the earliest) is opened up to younger audiences in Elizabeth Hankins novel, I Learned a New Word Today . . . GENOCIDE. Hankins tackles a very difficult task - making a painful mature topic appropriate for children, and she has success. Javier is a 5th grade student who is studying genocide in school, and the novel is his journal that is kept as a class assignment.

At the start of the novel, Javier is introduced to the concept of genocide, and as a preliminary activity he visits the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. He is horrified at what he finds. Throughout the novel, Javier shares his learning about not merely the Holocaust, but also about five other major genocides, one of which is still very much in the present. Through his lessons at school, Javier is taught not only to learn about genocide, but also that it is critical to become active in taking a stand against genocide. He brainstorms several ways to help, and ultimately develops an excellent plan. But, the novel is much more than just a history lesson taught through a different modality. The reader gains a glimpse into Javier's life. Dark secrets unfold as Javier learns more about the people around him and about the tragedies in the world. I Learned a New Word Today . . . GENOCIDE combines history, mystery, and humor in a priceless novel that teaches an invaluable message.

Hankins does a nice job trying to take a history lesson and not only make it appropriate for younger readers, but also make it seem like it's not really a history lesson. Although at times, the reader does feel as if it reads a little like an elementary textbook, the charming antics of Javier keep the pages turning. It is a little difficult at times to buy into the fact that a 5th grade child would be writing this much detail in a journal, and in an effort to make the writing seem like a child, Hankins includes many choppy sentences - definitely a sign of a younger writer. However, the higher-level vocabulary Javier uses, along with the thoughts that go on in his head and the fact that he wins a writing contest, would lead the reader to believe he wouldn't really be writing in such choppy sentences. Nonetheless, that's a small concern. What Hankins did in writing this book is nothing less than commendable. She uses imagery to create such an important message. For example, when writing about the genocide ghosts in Javier's head she writes, "The ghosts are all different just like the people who died in these genocides were. But the thing that they all have in common is this: All of them look like people. And all of them twist and turn in this ugly dance before they just fade away to nothing."

This novel is not a novel for a child to sit and read alone. It should be read with guidance from an adult. There is so much in this book that requires processing with an adult. Actually, I would recommend that any teacher of middle school who is teaching about genocide should obtain a copy of this book. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I Learned a New Word Today . . . GENOCIDE should be a companion book for every child studying genocide. The class discussions would be enriched so much after reading a book such as this. Thank you Ms. Hankins for finding a way to present the atrocities of life to a younger audience. After all, the inner desire to be an activist is planted at a young age.

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

We would like to thank Planned Television Arts for providing a copy of I Learned a New Word Today . . . Genocide for this review.

Have you read I Learned a New Word Today . . . Genocide? How would you rate it?

Book Review: MUCHACHO: A Novel by LouAnne Johnson

MUCHACHO: A Novel
by LouAnne Johnson
Non-series

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-86117-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86117-8
Publication Date: September, 2009
List Price: $15.99

Review: Luane Johnson created a startling book for young adults when she wrote MUCHACHO. Eddie Corazon is a Mexican teenager trying to find his place in New Mexico. Although given the gift of intelligence, he, like so many others, throws is aside in order to "fit in" in a society that is riddled with underachievement, substance abuse, crime and violence. MUCHACHO gets at the heart of adolescence as the reader follows Eddie's thoughts and movements at an alternative school for behaviorally challenged students.

Eddie is a troubled teen who is more concerned about the next fight instead of the future he could be able to create - that is until he meets Lupe. Lupe, a young woman who has transferred from another school in order to get away from bullying, is smart and beautiful - and she quickly sees that Eddie is much more than what he seems to be on the outside. She and Eddie begin dating and gradually Eddie starts to see himself in a very different light. He no longer is the hopeless teen that is just figuring out how to prolong the inevitable jail time, but rather a worthwhile contribution to society. But, Eddie's path to success isn't an easy one, and certainly there are bullies and troubled family members to make life difficult along the way. But, with Lupe's confidence and Eddie's mother's wish for him to be the first Corazon to go to college, Eddie slowly begins to appreciate life and more importantly he begins to appreciate himself. MUCHACHO takes a hard look at the callousness of life and shows that hope lies just below the surface.

Johnson used an intriguing style of writing in MUCHACHO, as the reader is quickly implanted into Eddie's brain. It is written from Eddie's point of view and uses the typical language of a troubled teen. With this in mind, MUCHACHO should be reserved for high school students. Aside from the language, there are also mature themes throughout the novel. This being said, it is a fantastic book for the right audience. Throughout the novel there are hidden messages that the author subtly gets across to the readers. For example, Eddie criticizes the way teachers typically correct pronunciation of a word when a child is reading out loud. In an effort to explain why his teacher, Mrs. Beecher, is better than others, Eddie says, "The other teachers would jump on that wrong word and pronounce it the right way the second you said it wrong because even though they went to college and we didn't, they always have to show how smart they are. But, Beecher was too busy trying to show us how smart we were instead of how smart she was, so by the time we wised up to how smart she was, she was already gone." What a wonderful message! Also, the prose is so enlightening to a life not everyone understands. Take for example being a Mexican trying to be accepted in America. Eddie demonstrates how frustrating that can be when he says, "In Spanish, you say the letters in all the words just like they look. 'A' is always 'ah', and 'E' is always 'ay', and 'I' is always 'eee'. We don't have six different ways to say the same letters, like dough and thought an through and tough which all have 'o-u' but different pronunciations, so that when you're trying to learn English you look stupid no matter how smart you are." Johnson opens the readers to a world many of us have never experienced and makes it so real you hate for the last page to arrive. Eddie's character develops so thoroughly throughout the 197 pages. He goes from a misguided, lost soul to someone with a purpose and goal in life. MUCHACHO is a gem - and one that would be recommended for not only teens, but also for adults - particularly in education. Because for educators, the messages in the novel are priceless.

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

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of MUCHACHO: A Novel for this review.

Have you read MUCHACHO: A Novel? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
by Mac Barnett
Brixton Brothers

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ISBN-10: 1-416-97815-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-416-97815-2
Publication Date: October, 2009
List Price: $14.99

Review: Steve Brixton is a big fan of the Bailey Brothers, a series where two brothers solve crime. When he goes to the library for a boring school report he finds out that he, Steve Brixton, is a real detective and when he thinks things are strange enough, things get a whole lot stranger – especially when he finds out about a secret detective agency called the “Librarians”. So he is trying to solve a case with his friend, Dana and things get out of control. Mac Barnett starts off the Brixton Brothers series with The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity - this fun, exciting book.

When Steve Brixton is assigned to American needlework as a school project, he knows it will be a boring assignment. But when he checks out a book called The History of American Needlework strange men break in to the building and try to catch him. He soon finds out about a secret force called the “Librarians”, and is questioned why he checked out the book on needlework. He quickly realizes that they think he is a spy for Mr. E trying to steal the book and give it to him. When he goes to the police they don’t even attempt to help him. Steve figures out this is his very own case and is off finding out why Mr. E and the Librarians want his book so badly, and also to figure out the mysterious identity of Mr. E.

This book is one of the best I have read this school year. There is not any bad language and is appropriate for school. I would not recommend it for anyone below the fourth grade though. There are some scary descriptions and scary things happening throughout the book. It pains me to say that because I love the book so much. Mr. Barnett did a great job on all of the descriptions, words and everything else in the book. Another thing I really liked was that it had articles of Steve’s favorite book series that say what to do in a bad situation. One example of what to do in a bad situation is “If you are being chased and you can’t find a place to hide, get anywhere above eye level. It will be harder for the enemy to find you because they won’t really think about looking up.” Those entries taught me a lot about what to do if you are in a bad situation. Out of a 5 star rating, I would give it 5 stars because it is a great mystery for children and I loved everything about the book. I hope there are more books coming out for the Brixton Brothers series soon!!!!!

Review written by Sheila (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Simon & Schuster for providing a copy of The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity for this review.

Have you read The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity? How would you rate it?

Enter to Win a Copy of The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

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Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Maze Runner Trilogy

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73794-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73794-4
Publication Date: October, 2009
List Price: $16.99

Review: “He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale dusty air. Metal ground against metal; a lurching shudder shook the floor beneath him. He fell down at the sudden movement and shuffled backward on his hands and feet, drops of sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool air. His back struck a hard metal wall; he slid along it until he hit the corner of the room. Sinking to the floor, he pulled his legs up tight against his body, hoping his eyes would soon adjust to the darkness. With another jolt, the room jerked upward like an old lift in a mine shaft.” This young boy Thomas, is just at the beginning of his problems. Soon he will be facing challenges and tests that he never thought were possible. All of this suspense and action takes place in James Dashner’s The Maze Runner, a book that will keep you running until its end! What challenges will young Thomas encounter? Why is he starting his “new life”? What kind of room is this “shank” in anyway? All of these questions will unravel a mystery that will take you by storm!

As he exits the cold, dark room, Thomas remembers one thing and one thing only about his life. This is that his name is Thomas. Everything else is a complete blur. About fifty other teenagers, who also do not know anything else about themselves besides their first names, crowd around him all at once. These teens call themselves the Gladers and call the land around them the Glade. The Glade looks just like a settlement, but has four huge doors that close every night. Beyond the doors is a maze that is full of Grievers, strange creatures that can make you go through a horrible thing called the changing. This is very painful and will last for days. It was here on his first day of the Glade that he finds his one of very few friends, a boy named Chuck. Day two is even stranger for Thomas. At one point, he discovers that the Gladers have picked up a kind of slang language during their two years of being at the Glade. Shank (as used earlier) is a name that they would use in substitute of your name. Shuck face is a name that is used to insult. Klunk is the sound that they hear when they use the restrooms. I myself was starting to use the Glader’s slang on occasions. The second day is the strangest of all. A girl, the very first, comes out of the dark room with one message before going into a comma. A note in her hand explains that she is the last of the teenagers to come. Everyone now thinks that Thomas has something to do with this although he has no memory of her. Even later in time, the doors stop closing at night and Grievers are taking one Glader a night every night. Will Thomas and this girl be able to help the Gladers escape the Glade once and for all, or will they all die there, in that maze, one by one?

The Maze Runner is an outstanding piece of work that will blow your mind to the very end! James Dashner is a truly talented writer that has the ability to write a book for teens which can hook them on to the very end. Besides his amazing Maze Runner, James Dashner has written The Hunt for Dark Infinity, The Journal of Curious Letters, and The 13th Reality series. I noticed while reading that he has set the book up for the start of a series. From reading this one, I can guarantee to be the first in line for the next book in the series! I would recommend The Maze Runner to children of the sixth grade through high school because of bloody deaths and their detail. While reading The Maze Runner, I did not find these parts as defects, but very emotional parts of the story that made me continue reading to discover what would happen next. This book was so well written that I would not be surprised if it won many awards in the time to come. I would rate this book five stars on a rating of one to five because of its high quality and emotional parts such as the many unexpected deaths. The Maze Runner is on its way to becoming a world-wide best seller. There are absolutely no flaws in The Maze Runner. When the book came to its end, I wanted more. I kept rereading the last paragraph hoping that there would be more. James Dashner, you have impressed me in book one by astonishing levels. I could not expect more from a book. I am completely positive that The Maze Runner, and its eventual sequels will keep me fascinated for many years to come!

Review written by Brandon (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Maze Runner? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix by Graham Salisbury

Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix
by Graham Salisbury
Calvin Coconut

Wendy Lamb Books
ISBN-10: 0-385-73702-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73702-9
Publication Date: September, 2009
List Price: $12.99

Review: Mischievous, fun, funny, and Zippy, these are all words that describe Calvin Coconut-The Zippy Fix. Calvin Coconut is a nine-year-old boy who has a problem. A teenage girl lives with he and hates her. Be prepared for everyday adventure with Calvin and his friends, Julio, Maya, and Willy. Author Graham Salisbury and illustrator Jacquline Rogers did a great job in writing this book. It is a first in the Calvin Coconut series.

When Calvin Coconut’s mom says yes to letting a teenage girl stay at their house, Calvin is mad at her. Too make things worse Stella (the teenage girl) has something against him- He said she looked like a watermelon in a pretty, green dress. She calls him Stump, because when he walks down in his brown PJ’s that is what she says he looks like. Calvin gets so mad that he brings a cat into Stella’s room to make her sneeze (she’s allergic to cats), but something goes terribly wrong. Stella walks out of her room with a puffed face: hives. What gets her really worked up is she has a date with her boyfriend that night. Calvin feels guilty, so guilty that he even considers confessing. At the dinner table Calvin’s mom asks Calvin if there was any way that a cat might have gotten into the house. He says no, but the “crummy feeling” won’t go away. When Calvin finds out that Stella’s birthday is on Monday (it’s Saturday) he want to get her, her idols’ CD, but it’s 18 dollars. What will he do? Will Calvin get Stella the perfect present, or will he fail?

Overall I thought that Calvin Coconut-The Zippy Fix was a good book. I will start with the good points. First of all, the story line is fun, and realistic. The author does a good job of making Calvin’s voice come out. For example, in the story it says: “The Crummy feeling still wouldn’t go away.” Also, if a teacher could easily use this as a read aloud, first because it is appropriate, and second of all her students could use strategies while their reading. For example at the end of chapter 17 it shows that a teacher could use this for practicing predicting. While Calvin Coconut-The Zippy Fix was appropriate, some of it was questionable for a younger age group. For example, the author makes Stella a very vicious character in the beginning, and one of Tito’s (Calvin’s arch enemy) friends is named Bozo, which could be offensive. Overall I thought that Calvin Coconut-The Zippy Fix was a decent book, and I rate this book 3 of 5 stars.

Review written by Kayley (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix for this review.

Have you read Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Going Bovine
by Libba Bray
Non-series

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73397-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73397-7
Publication Date: September, 2009
List Price: $23.00

Review: Do you like off-kilter humor and ridiculous (but great) plots? If you do, Going Bovine is for you. Going Bovine is the fifth book by Libba Bray, but has nothing to do with her previous four books, and a sequel is unlikely.

I found Going Bovine to be a great book. It tells the story of a 16 year old Cameron (Cam for short.) He is very apathetic about life in general and very disconnected from family. Early into the book he has a series of hallucinations that he considers bad drug experiences. But after an unrelated hospital visit, it turns out he has a human form of mad-cow disease, and that he is going to die. After learning from an angel/possible hallucination that his only chance to live is to find a missing scientist, he goes out on a road trip with a close friend.

The great thing about this book is the humor. While humor may be rather cynical and dark for some, those who appreciate it will find the book a classic. The greater part of the story is wonderful, with the majority being a road trip/ buddy comedy. Some of the plot points do seem a little contrived, but do not take away from the book as a whole. The book is excellently paced quickly going from page-turner to easy reading. The plot is broken up with a few welcome (and well done) interludes. Lastly, the characters feel really relatable and human.

The book does have a few flaws. The ending feels very rushed and fails to clarify a few things. This would not be much of a problem if the rest of the plot was not so intricate and well done. Also, many of the minor characters start to feel one dimensional. Many more concrete readers may not be able to wrap their head around some of the book’s concepts. However, these flaws feel small compared to the greatness of the book as a whole.

Review written by Colin (8th grade student).

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

Have you read Going Bovine? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Maze Runner Trilogy

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73794-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73794-4
Publication Date: October, 2009
List Price: $16.99

Review: The Maze Runner - A stunning masterpiece by James Dashner. An amazing confluence of suspense, drama, action, and fear that instantly snags in the reader. This being the first in the series, I expect many great things from this author! This is his eighth book, so greatness is pretty much a standard at this point in one’s writing career.

Thomas finds himself in a strange place with no memory of how he arrived there. While his memory remains in place about basic life functions, he has lost all personal memory about who he is, or who his parents are. He finds himself in a sort of prison surrounded by a maze with only boys inhabiting the place. All supplies are provided through the same hole Thomas arrived through. The maze, however, is filled with monsters that come out at night and keep the boys from escaping.

But Thomas's arrival sets off a chain of events that begin to lead to change. He feels determined to discover the answer to the maze and puts himself at great risk to find out how they can get out from where they are.

I was sucked into the book from page one, and just like the main character, I was dying to learn the secrets of the place where they were. The book took turns I wasn't expecting and kept me in plenty of suspense!

The pacing is quick and the world Dashner has created is very interesting and different. There's plenty of mystery beyond the maze and this, the first book in the series, gives us just a beginning glimpse into the state of the world. Sometimes, the reader might think that something is expected, thanks to the clues given by the author. However, the book is too full of surprises to think that anything is expected! The book does end on a sudden note, but it is book one of the series, so more surprises are yet to come!

It's possible that the emotional landscape of the characters could have been more fully developed, but overall this is the perfect book to lose yourself in!

Rating: 4.5/5

Things You Might Want to Know: Moderate violence, but nothing drastic.

Review written by Milosz (8th grade student).

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

Have you read The Maze Runner? How would you rate it?

Book Review: DWEEB: Burgers, Beasts, and Brainwashed Bullies by Aaron Starmer

DWEEB: Burgers, Beasts, and Brainwashed Bullies
by Aaron Starmer
Non-series

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73705-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73705-0
Publication Date: October, 2009
List Price: $15.99

Review: Eddie is a troubled teen who is more concerned about the next fight instead of the future he could be able to create - that is until he meets Lupe. Lupe, a young woman who has transferred from another school in order to get away from bullying, is smart and beautiful - and she quickly sees that Eddie is much more than what he seems to be on the outside. She and Eddie begin dating and gradually Eddie starts to see himself in a very different light. He no longer is the hopeless teen that is just figuring out how to prolong the inevitable jail time, but rather a worthwhile contribution to society. But, Eddie's path to success isn't an easy one, and certainly there are bullies and troubled family members to make life difficult along the way. But, with Lupe's confidence and Eddie's mother's wish for him to be the first Corazon to go to college, Eddie slowly begins to appreciate life and more importantly himself. MUCHACHO takes a hard look at the callousness of life and shows that hope lies just below the surface.

Review written by Jennifer (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of DWEEB: Burgers, Beasts, and Brainwashed Bullies for this review.

Have you read DWEEB: Burgers, Beasts, and Brainwashed Bullies ? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Fatal Child by John Dickinson

The Fatal Child
by John Dickinson
Cup of the World

David Fickling Books
ISBN-10: 0-385-75110-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-75110-0
Publication Date: September, 2009
List Price: $22.00

Review: By at least 2015 I see John Dickson’s books being made into movies. That’s right I said “books” and “movies” because this book, The Fatal Child, is the third book in the series with two other books entitled The Cup of the World and The Widow and the King. The Fatal Child is about two main characters, Padry and Melissa. Padry is in the army and in high position working for the king. Melissa is a young five year old girl living at home with her Mam and Dadda. Tragedy strikes for both of them.

For Thomas Padry his friend and practically daughter, Atti, wakes up one morning from a dream about Ambrose, otherwise known as the “Prince of the Sky.” So she sets off on an adventure, without telling anyone were she is going, to find him while she is only 14 and her only companion is a sickly maid. So Thomas must go on an adventure to rescue her with only 1 friend to accompany him. They must use witchcraft to find her, even though it is strictly forbidden throughout the kingdom. Meanwhile in Melissa’s life things aren’t doing to good for her either. Melissa is at home with her Mam and Dadda when they get two visitors late at night. Melissa finds out that the visitors are Ambrose and his servant and befriends Ambrose. But Ambrose and his servant must leave so Melissa keeps waiting for them to show up again. They never did come again. Later Melissa is around the age of 10 or 13 and ten knights in red clothing come to their house. Mam and Dadda are against them so the knights attack. They took Dadda, tied a rope around his neck and hung him, kicking and screaming. While they killed Mam and left her lying dead, stripped of clothes next to the river. Melissa barely escapes with the knights laughing and shooting arrows at her as she runs through the trees. She ends up passed out upon the dirt road and is carried to a house. She ends up staying there with Atti and her maid. Now Melissa, Padry and Atti end up at Ambrose’s trial. You want to know what happens next? Then read the book!

When I read The Fatal Child, I personally thought it was a bit to...gruesome. Here is an extract from the story, “They had seen a babe still mewing bloodily on the point of a pike.” I would say they don’t need to go in to so much gruesome detail, but that’s just me. I mean it’s rated for teens (appropriately rated) and I’m only 11 so I’m a bit young to read it. Thomas Padry was a good character and his humor always brightens up the most dreary of moods. Though he’s a bit sarcastic and feisty. He is a great character in the story. Melissa is a great character too. She may have her moods, though but that’s the way I like it. She has an unforgiving hungry for revenge on the knight for killing her parents and in The Fatal Child it states that she was thinking “- squeeze his eyes out” because she thinks it would be a right punishment for him. She is my favorite character and adds spice to The Fatal Child. The Fatal Child goes back to before technology and is fictional with princes and princesses and they all live in a place called Tuscolo. I would say The Fatal Child is a book to never leave until the very end of it. So I would say if you are an adventurer, action and witchcraft lover The Fatal Child and its series would be paradise to you. This is a new release book so it didn’t get any awards yet, but I’m sure it will soon. I’m sure I liked it. They used some language back from the older days that I didn’t really understand but thought was cool at the same time. I would give The Fatal Child four out of five stars.

Review written by Amanda (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Fatal Child? How would you rate it?

Book Review: FAT CAT by Robin Brande

FAT CAT
by Robin Brande
Non-series

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-84449-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-84449-2
Publication Date: October, 2009
List Price: $21.00

Review: When Catherine Locke (a.k.a. Cat) dreams up a science project for the science fair, her life begins to change. She faces popularity issues, hunger pangs, old friends, competition and life as a prehistoric woman. She cannot use technology like phones and ipods. She cannot eat food prehistoric people did not eat, except during emergencies. Will Cat be able to accomplish this extreme project? Find out the answers to these questions in the book Fat Cat by Robin Brande.

In the book Fat Cat, The main character Cat, has a problem. When Cat is assigned to do a project on Homo erectus, (early hominins from 1.8 million years ago) she decides to make the subject of the project herself. Her project is to see what would happen if she took away everything Homo erectus don’t have, because she thinks it could make her skinnier. Cat thinks she’s fat. This incredible task includes food Homo erectus didn’t have, plus, phones, ipods, and TV! Her friends, (Amanda, Cat’s best friend) and Jordan (Amanda’s boyfriend) are all there to support her. Oh, and don’t forget Cat’s arch enemy Matt. He’s her enemy because she is convinced that he took first place from her in a previous science fair and he said something pretty nasty about her behind her back. When she starts going from fat to normal and not cool to popular, her life begins to unfold page by page.

Fat Cat is a pretty good book. In my opinion, this book should be recommended for older middle school students since they will most likely enjoy the book. If I were an eighth grader when I read Fat Cat I would probably have said that the book was interesting because it mixed daily life and science together. From this book I learned that you can’t give up something important just because you think it’s too hard and you should look at things from a positive view. The book shows what happens when you do certain things such as getting off junk food when you have practically been living on it the whole summer. It also shows that maybe trying to cook with only the food that the Homo erectus had is trickier than Cat thinks. In the book it says “Even if my cave woman had grain, it’s a separate thing to say she figured out how to mill it into flour.” I chose this sentence because it shows the problems of trying to cook with only the food that Homo erectus had. I would probably give these book 4 stars. This book was exciting funny and made me laugh. The author did an excellent job with Fat Cat. I hope everyone else will enjoy Fat Cat like I did.

Review written by Sarah (6th grade student).

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

Have you read FAT CAT? How would you rate it?