Book Review: February by Gabrielle Lord

February
by Gabrielle Lord
Conspiracy 365

Kane Miller
ISBN-10: 1-935279-50-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-935279-50-1
Publication Date: February, 2010
List Price: $10.99

Review: Tick, tock, tick, tock. The last few minutes of Callum Ordman’s life are fading away. In this exciting sequel to the first book January in the 365 series, written by Gabrielle Lord, Cal is still on the hunt to solve the Ordman riddle. His sister still in a coma and he is still being blamed for it. Cal struggles to keep going on. This book is guaranteed to keep you reading.

Cal is struggling in a tank of oil to keep his head above the surface. He knows he’ll either die of lack of air or die from the oil. At the last second the cover to the hole is opened. Cal climbs out to see a girl named Winter. Winter helps him and Cal goes back to his hideout in an old house. He hangs there for awhile then his friend Boges comes by. He suggests a blog for Cal for some public appeal. Cal goes with it and does get some support from people. Later Boges tells Cal that his mom moved into his uncle’s house. Days later Cal thinks his hideout has been compromised so he moves and finds a part of a sewer where he thinks no one would look. Wandering around, he finds a familiar house. He finds out it was where he was interrogated by the first gang. He runs, and after a series of hair-raising events, you won’t believe what he falls into. He barely escapes his latest predicament and is chased by the goon. He ends up in a railway station. Cal looses the goon but gets stuck on a train track, seeing a train bearing down upon him. Could he be at death’s door once again?

This sequel deserves 5 stars. It releases suspense from the first book, but adds more in the end. So when you think Cal would die from the oil, you find out he won’t. But then you know he is stuck on a train track. The pages and chapters are in the same format as the first book. I couldn’t just put this book down once I started. I recommend this to thrill lovers and people who read the 1st book. Do you think Cal can outwit his pursuers once again?

Review written by Zach (6th grade student).

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

Have you read February? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History by Adam Selzer

The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History
by Adam Selzer
Non-series

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73650-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73650-3
Publication Date: December, 2009
List Price: $12.99

Review: The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History written by Adam Selzer is a very funny but factual book. The book has factual information about American History like what I learn in school but it is more fun to read than a normal history book. Before I knew what this book was about, I thought,”Nonfiction? Boring!” But this book changed the way I view nonfiction books.

There are eleven chapters in this book. The first chapter starts with early settlers to America. It includes what the historians thought happened before Christopher Columbus "discovered" America. The rest of the book takes the reader throughout history: the Revolutionary war, the late 1700's - early 1800's,the Civil War, the 1900's including the industrial revolution, WWI, the roaring 20's, the Great Depression, WWII, 1947-1989 which included the space race, a change in pop culture, and the civil rights movement. The book concludes on a chapter of recent events such as 9/11, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the election of Barack Obama. You can learn all of this from the internet, text books, and class lectures but what makes this book unique is the funny parts in it which were written or pictured in each chapter. For example there are pictures with captions that are funny because they depict history in an unexpected way. In the chapter about the late 1700's and early 1800's there was a humorous “try at home” experiment about flushing corn down a toilet because John Quincy Adams liked corn and was the first president to have a toilet in the White House. All history books have review questions at the end to help you review the chapter this book has a review about silly facts or jokes in the chapter.

I thought this book was great. I would recommend this to sixth graders and older. I say this because a lot of the jokes you have to know a little bit more about history than a child younger than 6th grade would know. An example is when it kind of makes fun of Christopher Columbus and how he knew the world was round. I give this book four out of five stars because it was funny and informational. Something I did not like about the book was the book did not tell all of the background to the jokes, which made the book confusing at times. This however could be an example of why the reader needs to have solid background knowledge before reading the book. Also there were some failed attempts at jokes within the book like the pickle jokes. However if this book were my history book I would want to do my history reading every day!

Review written by Kevin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History for this review.

Have you read The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History? How would you rate it?

Book Review: FDR's Alphabet Soup: New Deal America 1932-1939 by Tonya Bolden

FDR's Alphabet Soup: New Deal America 1932-1939
by Tonya Bolden
Non-series

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-85214-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-85214-5
Publication Date: January, 2010
List Price: $19.99

Review: Tonya Bolden’s FDR’s Alphabet Soup is a well-written nonfiction book where she paints a clear picture of what America’s economic situation was like six decades ago during the great depression. The author elaborates on many programs/agencies that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, along with his administrative staff, developed to tackle the economic depression. The metaphor called "Alphabet Soup" was coined due to vast amount of acronyms utilized to name FDR's New Deal programs such as FERA - Federal Emergency Relief administration, PWA – Public Works Administration and the FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation etc.

Several months after Herbert Hoover became President in 1929, the Great depression was triggered by the mammoth stock market crash. Since the Republican strategy for prosperity in America is via trickledown economics and Herbert Hoover was a republican president, his economic recovery plan to help Big businesses instead of common man did not improve the economy. His economy revival plans lead to even more unemployment, poverty and homelessness. To show their disgust towards President Herbert Hoover’s economic policies, the homeless people called their shantytowns “Hoovervilles”. It is circa 1933 and Americans are desperately longing for a new direction for their economic wellbeing. Enter new President elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his “out of the box” thinking. FDR introduces bold plans for a sweeping economic recovery. His trickle up economic plans are met by stiff political, ideological, and legal challenges but he prevails and successfully improves American economy during his Presidency.

This book is an excellent read not only for learning American history but the grave similarity of trying times six decades ago to the current economic crisis. The author’s use of 1930’s era pictures, primary source documents and slang words/phrases gives an authentic feel to the narrative. Those who read this remarkable book will not be disappointed. I would recommend this book for readers 10 and above due to the subject matter complexity. All in all, this book deserves 4 out of 5 stars!

Review written by Ohm (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of FDR's Alphabet Soup: New Deal America 1932-1939 for this review.

Have you read FDR's Alphabet Soup: New Deal America 1932-1939? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves
by Carrie Ryan
Sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73684-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73684-8
Publication Date: March, 2010
List Price: $17.99

Review: Tragedy, romance, and a great plotline. Do you love all these great characteristics in a book? Of course! Then you should read The Dead-Tossed Waves, a sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. It’s a great book about friendship, and the importance of never abandoning friends- even in hard times.

The book starts off with a girl named Gabry, whose best friends Cira and Catcher want her to come with them out past the Barrier that separates the town of Vista (where they live) and the forest. Gabry knows this is dangerous, because Mudo (zombie-like creatures) wander the forest to look for humans to bite, and therefore Infect. When someone is bitten by a Mudo, they become Mudo. Gabry is anxious, but instead crosses the Barrier with her friends and others to an old amusement park. They turn around, and see a Mudo-like Breaker stagger into the clearing. Catcher tells Gabry to run, but she sees an Infected lurching over to her. Catcher saves her, but is bitten. He forces her to go back home before she's hurt. The next day Gabry tries to find Catcher; she travels past the Barrier on the beach and meets Elias, a boy who she later finds out is in a mysterious cult that worships Mudo, and when she finally finds Catcher, he tells her he is immune to Mudo. A few days later, Gabry must enlist the help of Catcher and Elias to find her mom who has disappeared. Gabry, Catcher and Elias traverse to find her, and when they finally do, her mother tells a tale of Gabry's mysterious young years. Trying to experience more than the world they already know, they come across Mudo, foreign strangers, and a heartbreaking love triangle that revolves around them.

The Dead-Tossed Waves is a great book filled with apprehension and pauses in the storyline. I personally thought it was an amazing page-turner suspense thriller that I couldn't put down until you read through it all (which is what I did in one night!). I liked that some parts left the reader hanging, like the time in between when she was at home and visiting Catcher. The author also threw in a lot of twists, like Gabry meeting Elias, Catcher's immunity, and other things. It was also really helpful that the author explained the Mudo, Infected , and Breakers, because I didn't read the first book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Otherwise, I wouldn't have understood the concepts very well. Also, I liked how she made Catcher be immune to Mudo bites, because I liked his character. In the beginning, I thought Catcher was really brave and it hadn't changed by the end of the story. In addition, I LOVED Gabry's 'hush-hush' past, because it totally changed the story and made it infinitely more interesting because Elias is wrapped up in it all. One last thing I liked was that Gabry was daring, brave, and willing to break the rules for her best friend Cira when Gabry looks for Catcher in the old run-down town. Some things I found unnecessary were all the blood, and violence at some points. I also disliked how the author made Gabry's mom seem so irresponsible, the way she just left Gabry all alone to take care of herself and the lighthouse. Nonetheless, all in all, The Dead-Tossed Waves is an amazing book. I can't tell you any more, but if you like how it sounds, read it! I can guarantee that you will love it.

Review written by Emily (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Dead-Tossed Waves for this review.

Have you read The Dead-Tossed Waves? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Ortega by Maureen Fergus

Ortega
by Maureen Fergus
Non-series

Kids Can Press
ISBN-10: 1-55453-474-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-55453-474-6
Publication Date: March, 2010
List Price: $16.95

Review: Humorous! Fantastic! Thrilling! Ortega, written by Maureen Fergus is a grand tale of a smart mouth gorilla and a demanding, self-centered scientist. How the two vastly different characters come together is no mystery at all once their stories are known. When there is trouble there will most definitely be Ortega with an angered scientist and a loving mother trailing behind. Right about now you would hear Ortega’s booming laughter and smug smile and then find yourself laughing with him.

All Ortega remembers of his childhood is that he was taken away from his mother at a young age because he was needed in a scientific lab. Painful surgery results in him having the ability to speak English. Growing up shows Ortega to be the worst trouble maker Dr. Whitmore, a head scientist, has ever seen. For his whole life until the age of eleven, Ortega has been living in his room all alone. Then, when Ortega is being forced to go to school, he faces a challenge that he fears. With riots to harm him and people to ridicule him, he is expected to make friends and do well in this strange new habitat. After a terrible start, Ortega believes that he may actually survive school and be able to complete this session of Project Ortega. But like the many things in Ortega’s life, trouble finds him once again and this time, he may not be able to get out of it.

A sensational read, Ortega shows how anyone can make friends no matter how different the person may be. Like many great adventures, Ortega finds himself gliding through every danger he comes across and always barley makes it past that danger. What makes Ortega such a wonderful read is that after starting off in the book as a smart mouthed, sarcastic, trouble making gorilla, Ortega learns important life lessons that change his attitude of people as well as life. I give this book five stars for its phenomenal humor and life lessons. Maureen Fergus has made reading a pleasure more than anything else. I also recommend this book to the ages of 9 years of age to adulthood because the humor found in the book is truly funny stuff - such as the cat and dog battles of Ortega and Dr. Whitmore. Books like Ortega are going to keep children reading for a long time, maybe even forever. If these books are like Maureen Fergus’s Ortega, I would not be very surprised at all.

Review written by Brandon (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates, Inc. for providing a copy of Ortega for this review.

Have you read Ortega? How would you rate it?

Book Review: I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It by Adam Selzer

I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It
by Adam Selzer
Non-series

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73503-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73503-2
Publication Date: January, 2010
List Price: $7.99

Review: Do you like zombies and werewolves and vampires and romance? That is what you get in the book I kissed a Zombie and I Liked It by Adam Selzer. In this story Algonquin “Ali” Rhodes doesn’t live your typical human life. She is the newspaper music critic in her high school. In her town, Cornersville, zombies and vampires go to school with her. Unlike other teenage girls Ali does not like the vampires and zombies at her school. While on an interview Ali meets Doug, a singer in a band. Ali falls for Doug and starts dating him, but what she didn’t know is that Doug isn’t the guy she thinks he is.

This book foreshadows future events at certain times. Every time this happens you are on the edge of your seat wondering what’s going to happen. You keep on reading because you want to find out what’s going to happen. Ali is different type of girl. She isn’t the type of girl that does everything everybody else does. She does and likes her own things. She doesn’t care if people think she is dumb or weird for not liking vampires and zombies. If Ali had the choice she would have all the zombies and vampires gone. There is also romance in this book. The zombies in this book are considered to be the emo type. Most of the girls fall for that. Ali is pretty much the only one that doesn’t like the emo zombies. Living creatures and dead creatures are mixed and living in the same world of high school. The teachers are afraid to tell the zombies and vampires to stop doing all the bad things that they do in school. There is only one strict teacher in the school named Mrs. Smollet. She is also a vampire. Mrs. Smollet is the only teacher that everybody listens to, both the dead and living.

I give this book 11 out of 10 stars for its romance and suspense. Do you want to know what happens with Ali and Doug? Does she keep seeing him after she find out who he really is? Read the book to find out.

Review written by Abby (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It for this review.

Have you read I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Very Little Princess by Marion Dane Bauer

The Very Little Princess
by Marion Dane Bauer
Non-series

Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-85691-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-85691-4
Publication Date: February, 2010
List Price: $12.99

Review: Porcelain skin with rosy red cheeks and golden hair. A pretty pink gown with glitter and a rose. The Very Little Princess is written by Marion Dane Bauer who is the Newberry honor winning author. The Very Little Princess is one of the best children’s books I have read. This great book is about a very little princess and her experiences with, a little girl with orange curly hair and freckles, named Zoey, that little girls mom, and her grandma whom she never knew she had. This story has all the makings of another award winning story with action, and a life lesson in the end.

This little princess though beautiful at the skin has a mean and snobbish personality. In this story this little princess and the little girl have to put their differences aside. They have to find out what the other likes and become friends. But there is a twist, if the two “frenimies” can’t put their differences aside the princess will freeze into an eternal sleep. Will the little girl and princess become friends? Or will the princess go to sleep forever? You can find out in The Very Little Princess.

As I said before I love this book because of the way it transitions from one event to another. Also this book just in general has a sweet story about a girl whose mom just needs a break and time alone. The doll is mean at the beginning though at the end of the story they are more of friends that foes. On a one to ten rating this story deserves a 10 because of everything I’ve said about this wonderful story. This story has love, compassion, and friendship all of this is why I love this story so much. This very little princess whom at the beginning worried so much about how she looked became a loving, caring person with a friend and a heart.

Review written by Gabrielle (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Very Little Princess for this review.

Have you read The Very Little Princess? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Adventures of Jack Lime by James Leck

The Adventures of Jack Lime
by James Leck
Non-series

Kids Can Press
ISBN-10: 1-55453-364-3
ISBN-13: 978-1-55453-364-0
Publication Date: February, 2010
List Price: $16.95

Review: Detectives, mysteries, and twists are all in the thrilling book, The Adventures of Jack Lime. Written by James Leck this book is fantastic. Jack Lime is a detective who solves other people’s problems. This book is a combination of three of Lime’s most interesting cases. If you like mysteries and suspense this book is for you.

Jack Lime is a detective, Private Investigator. He solves problems for people for a favor in return. Sometimes the cases get hard, but he never gives up. One adventure he has involves a banana-streamer-small bike, a little boy, and a sister who is very protective. This case has a much unexpected turn towards the end. Another case is of a missing hamster, or did it really go missing? Maybe it got stolen to black-mail someone, but who really knows? He only stays in the business of solving mysteries because of one person, Tobias. Tobias is a smart, scheming person who will do anything to get some money. Jack Lime will always try to catch Tobias in the act of stealing money or something valuable. Jack Lime is a smart detective. Will he stay in the business and keep solving problems or live a normal life? What will happen to Jack Lime?

The Adventures of Jack Lime is a spectacular book! It is thrilling and has many twists. I couldn’t put it down for a second. I liked how James Leck made it so there are a lot of twists and unexpected endings. For example, there is an unexpected ending in the case of the broken lock. It made the whole story better. Although The Adventures of Jack Lime is a fantastic book, there is one thing I didn’t like. In the cases Lime was working on, it skipped to things that didn’t make much sense. For example, in the case of the daily telegraph, Tyrone didn’t have his hamster and Lime was talking to the guy who took his hamster, Wally. Then, the next part Tyrone had his hamster back. So I was confused there until I read it over a couple of times. Other than that the book is amazing. I like how James Leck wrote the book. I can’t wait to read another one of James Leck’s books.

Review written by Jennifer (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates, Inc. for providing a copy of The Adventures of Jack Lime for this review.

Have you read The Adventures of Jack Lime? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Northward to the Moon by Polly Horvath

Northward to the Moon
by Polly Horvath
Jane

Schwartz & Wade Books
ISBN-10: 0-375-86110-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86110-9
Publication Date: February, 2010
List Price: $17.99

Review: Polly Horvath’s Northward to the Moon, the sequel to My One Hundred Adventures, is an exciting and adventurous book. The main character, thirteen year old Jane, has a vivid imagination, and uses it to describe her family’s many adventures as they travel by car from their home in Saskatchewan, Canada, across the United States, to return to their beach house in Massachusetts. The family’s long road trip leads to a journey into Jane’s stepfather’s family background, and to a journey in growing-up and the importance of family.

Jane is the oldest of her four step siblings, and she, along with her mother, a Pulitzer-prize winning poet, Felicity Fielding, and stepfather, Ned, moved to Saskatchewan because Ned found a job teaching French in an elementary school. Unfortunately, within a year of moving there, Ned gets fired from his teaching job when it is discovered that he does not know how to speak French. Then, an old family friend of Neds, Mary, an elderly member of a Native American tribe, asks to see Ned again because she is dying. Ready for a strong spirit for adventure, Ned, Jane, and the rest of the family pack-up their things into their station wagon and head out on a road trip. Their travels initially take them to an Indian Reservation to see Mary, who had actually sheltered Ned when he was a young boy. From Mary, Jane and the family learn secrets of Ned’s past, and Ned is given a bag full of money which was supposedly left to him by his long lost brother. This mystery money leads the family on yet another adventure to meet a really funny character, Shirley. Shirley tells Jane and the family that Ned’s estranged brother is a famous magician who often disappears for weeks without notice. They also discover that Ned’s brother sometimes visits their mother’s ranch in the nearby town of Elko, Nevada. This news of his mother’s horse ranch catches Ned by surprise, and the family decides to continue on their road trip to pay her visit. During their visit to the ranch, Jane continues to use her imagination to find adventure in the smallest things, and continues along her own journey in growing-up. For instance, Jane develops a crush for a farm worker which, unfortunately, humiliates her and does not materialize into a formal romance. Jane’s broken heart takes her on a ‘healing’ horseback ride with her mother, Felicity, where Jane realizes that she and her stepfather, Ned, may share the same adventurous spirit, but that Ned used adventure in order to ‘get away’ from things in life, whereas Jane utilized adventure to ‘get to’ things in life. The remainder of the book continues to describe Jane’s vivid imagination and a number of other exciting family adventures along their journey back to Massachusetts.

Overall, Northward to the Moon, is a really good book. The author really amazed me with the level of humor and compassion that she put in developing all the characters, especially Jane. I have not read the prequel, My One Hundred Adventure, but I was still able to fully understand Jane’s character. However, even though this is a very well written book, the author leaves several unanswered questions to the story, such as: where did the bag of money come from, why did Jane’s crush steal the money, and is Jane’s younger sister, Maya, susceptible to mental imbalance? I believe the author has another follow-up book in the works that may help to answer some of these questions. Those who read this remarkable book will not be disappointed. Even though Jane’s adventures in growing up are things that most all kids can relate to, I would recommend this book for kids ages 11 and up due to some racy scenes like the description of Jane’s romantic dreams. All in all, this book deserves 4 out of 5 stars!

Review written by Ohm (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Schwartz & Wade Books for providing a copy of Northward to the Moon for this review.

Have you read Northward to the Moon? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Keening by A. LaFaye

The Keening
by A. LaFaye
Non-series

Milkweed
ISBN-10: 1-571-31694-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-571-31694-3
Publication Date: April, 2010
List Price: $8.00

Review: The Keening, written by A. LaFaye, is a truly outstanding book with all of the details and scenes weaved through the pages. When thirteen year old Lyza loses her Mater (mother) who falls ill to a fever and dies in her sleep, it is up to Lyza to take care of her Pater (father) who carves the dead into wood and stone.

Lyza has lived with her Mater and Pater for as long as she can remember. Her Pater has carved people into stone and wood for his entire life. She has always helped her Mater with cooking and cleaning, but when her Mater suddenly falls ill and dies from the disease, Lyza knows that she has to do her best to defend her Pater from angry relatives and townspeople. As she scampers all over the town to find Mr. Penwarren, she bumps into a few obstacles and also finds out the she can see and speak to those who are dead. Join Lyza on her stimulating journey to help her Pater keep safe from those who want to kill him.

I think that The Keening was a great book, but isn’t appropriate for all aged readers. There are some parts in the book that are pretty scary, even to me! One scene is when Pater is telling Lyza about when her Uncle Marl hat cut Mater across the forehead with a knife because of Pater. He thought that Pater was a fool and he didn’t need to be married to Lyza’s Mater. I would say if I had to set an age limit that you would need to be in fifth grade, at least, to read this book. The Keening is also a good book because of all of the details it has swimming around on the pages. For example when it describes Portland, it described the people there, what they look like, some of the stands and trolley cars and the scenery. Finally, The Keening is a good book because it is a type of story that you don’t get to hear every day. It is not like the Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief series or Warriors series. It is just its own unique story that is stands in a class of its own, and that quality makes me fall in love with this book every time I read it. The Keening deserves a ten out of ten rating for its details, unique style and the scary parts that kept me reading on the edge of my chair until I fell off from fear. This book has definitely earned a place in my top fifteen books of the year.

Review written by Sheila (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Milkweed for providing a copy of The Keening for this review.

Have you read The Keening? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

The Princess and the Goblin
by George MacDonald
Looking Glass Library

Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-86338-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86338-7
Publication Date: January, 2010
List Price: $12.99

Review: Goblins are strange, misshapen creatures that are more clever than ever before, hiding deep within the mountain on which the King’s house is perched. Over the decades they have been planning an oh-so-secretive plot of revenge against the King overhead. This evil plot of theirs will befall upon the King’s 8-year-old daughter, Princess Irene. One day Princess Irene stumbles onto a stairway leading her up through a maze of doors, only to have her find her Great-Great-Great Grandmother, Queen Irene, whom she simply calls, Grandmother. Grandmother gives Irene special gifts to guide her through trouble. Meanwhile Curdie, the miner’s son, has broken through the part of the mountain separating the goblins and miners. He finds it amusing to go in after the goblins to observe their inner workings, only to find and figure out the King Goblin’s plan of revenge. Curdie must now warn the King and Princess Irene, while also spying on the goblins and trying to stop them at all costs. Will Curdie be able to save Princess Irene in time? Find out only in The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald.

I found The Princess and the Goblin to be a very interesting read. This book explains to its readers how a true princess should act, and that being courageous may help not only yourself, but others as well. This is a valuable point and should be acknowledged. The story of the Princess and the Goblin tests friendships, beliefs and rights to all creatures. It sheds light on tragedies no one could see coming. This book is great for families, for its way of speaking is quite enjoyable. It feels as though you are sitting with the storyteller, listening to his every word right from his mouth. The tale is a classic and shall be treasured by its readers. I give this book and its author a 5/5 star rating followed by a round of applause. It has truly made me value the way I speak to others, talking with grace and humbleness. After reading The Princess and the Goblin, I began to talk with the same fashion as in the book! It was an astonishing experience on my part, and I feel as though this book has had an amazing effect on the way I think. I would love to thank the author for creating this story.

Review written by Lynnea (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Princess and the Goblin for this review.

Have you read The Princess and the Goblin? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Secret of the Bradford House by Albert A. Bell

The Secret of the Bradford House
by Albert A. Bell
A Steve & Kendra Mystery

Ingalls Publishing Group, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-932158-87-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-932158-87-8
Publication Date: April 2010
List Price: $11.95

Review: What is that light in the window of the spooky Bradford House? Could it be a ghost? Hidden stairways and secrets from the past lure Steve Patterson (a boy of age 11) and Kendra Jordan (a girl of age 11) into investigating the mysteries of the small town in Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes in the book The Secret of the Bradford House, written by Albert A. Bell, Jr. Could Steve and Kendra figure out what the light is or will they have to find some help from their new and au courant neighbor?! This book is second in the marvelous series with a flaming hot plot, visualizing all the things you could think of that give people the creeps!

I think this book is awesome because just like the first one in the series it is packed full with suspense. Since, this book is second in the series, I would advise the reader to read the first in the series; The Secret of the Lonely Grave. It, too, is a wonderful book. Anyway, the phenomenal author of both these books is Albert A. Bell, Jr. my favorite part in this book is when Kendra and Rachel (the new neighbor of theirs) are trying to work together in the tournament for doubles but instead of working together they are working apart and are messing each other up! This is my favorite part because it is funny and embarrassing to read about them messing up in front of their parents! This book, like its younger brother, The Secret of the Lonely Grave is very imaginable, and upholds good character contrast. No wonder this book got 4 praises for the whole series, that’s pretty good. One reads – “Gripping, powerful and genuine. … pacing and engaging plot all while that author incorporates history, family values and new friendships formed. Bell’s characters are well defined and believable. … interesting and entertaining read … 4 plus stars.” – Armchairreviews.com. I hope Mr. Bell makes a 3rd book in the series, and if he does I can’t wait!!!

Review written by Karan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Albert Bell for providing a copy of The Secret of the Bradford House for this review.

Have you read The Secret of the Bradford House? How would you rate it?