Book Review: Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys by Norton Juster

Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys
by Norton Juster
Non-series

Yearling
ISBN-10: 0-375-86699-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86699-9
Publication Date: November, 2010
List Price: $5.99

Review: Wisdom, adventure, life lessons… all of these words explains Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys. There are three stories or journeys in this book. One of the stories is about one wise man, the next story is an adventure into a painting, and the last is of two kings whose lives change forever. This book has important themes to remember and help you out in life. This fiction book, Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys, is wonderful and different from most books I have read.

In the first story, chapter, or journey, there is a man, Alberic, who lives on a farm. He has no knowledge. Alberic only knows how the world operates around him, such as the seasons and when grapes are ripe or not. He soon wonders what lies beyond his farm, only after an old, homeless man tells stories of wonderful towns and palaces. When Alberic leaves his farm, he takes on many jobs and fails at every one of them. After many years, he has experienced every job, and is soon known as Alberic the Wise. Another adventure occurs soon after for Alberic, and this reveals one of the important themes.

The next journey is about a little boy who cares about nothing; only because he is afraid he will get too attached and will end up heart broken. This little boy, Claude, visits the art museum every day after school and on the weekends. He knows every painting and sculpture there is in this art museum. That is until one day when he spies this one small painting he has never seen before, and soon he is drawn to it. Claude gets sucked into this painting, and meets the little girl who is the subject of the painting. Next, Claude learns of a battle going on near the edge of the valley. The princess is said to cry because of the horrible story behind this battle. Claude soon becomes a gigantic part of the army in order to help the girl. Claude comes to the museum early one morning, eager to travel inside the painting once more, but finds something even more heart breaking than expected.

In the last chapter, two kings, one poor and one rich, change forever. The poor king has a poor kingdom and almost all of his subjects don't even know who he is. His castle is poor, his clothes are poor, and the king, R. N. P., is constantly depressed. In the other kingdom, the king is rich and all of subjects adore and praise the king Magnus. Magnus has everything any king wants. But, both kings feel they have something missing. Both kings set out to each other's kingdoms, without knowledge of each other's existence. King Magnus' subjects are aware of King R. N. P.'s horrible kingdom and completely redecorates King R. N. P.'s kingdom. When both kings arrive at each of the kingdoms, their reactions and what they find is unexpected.

What I like about Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys is definitely how unique it is from other books I have read. I don't remember reading a book with such clear life-lesson themes. Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys is different from any other book I have read. Also, the text sends an important message to its readers. This is important to have in a book because that means the book was worth reading and that you will remember it for a while. This is because when a situation comes along and you remember the important message that comes out of this book that you read and it helps solve your problem, you will definitely think back and think to yourself that this was a fantastic book. I also love the creativity it takes to explain these themes. I admire the author's way of describing the traits to each theme. It is very creative and ingenious. One negative thing about this book is at the beginning of every chapter, story, or journey, it is slow moving. It always takes a while for the plot to arrive and the meaning to come. This makes the story boring to read at times and this isn't a good characteristic for a book to have. Overall, I believe Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys is worth reading over the more dull parts because it is a fantastic book.

Review written by Abby (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys for this review.

Have you read Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Trash by Andy Mulligan

Trash
by Andy Mulligan
Non-series

David Fickling Books
ISBN-10: 0-385-75214-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-75214-5
Publication Date: October, 2010
List Price: $16.99

Review: Would you ever think a story about boys who go through garbage would be interesting? Trash is better than the average book about dumpsite boys. Andy Mulligan has written a very suspenseful non-series novel about kids that venture through several towns and meet many interesting people after rummaging through Trash and discovering something "important". The main characters are Raphael, Guardo, and Rat (Jun Jun).

Raphael has found something that is very valuable in the Behela dumpsite, so he decides to keep it even though the police question him about possessing it and offer him a very handsome reward. He finds that his decision was definitely the wrong decision to make! Just like his friends, he is uneducated, and has minimal shelter and money. The teens travel around to escape the police. While travelling, they also uncover mysteries about robbery and death. Their adventures take them through various fascinating places including a police station and a prison. Each adventure gives them new experiences and teaches them about life. In the end Raphael realizes some of the things he did were well worth it.

This novel symbolizes how you can always work through tough times. The boys have countless exhilarating adventures in a life of poverty. The story is very suspenseful and Andy Mulligan did a terrific job transitioning through chapters. Trash is easy to understand and I never got lost. The book flows nicely through all of the crazy adventures and the author uses very expressive dialogue which makes you feel like you are at a movie. I personally like how he uses different narrators in each chapter. It helps to show different points of view of the adventures. One thing I did not enjoy is that numerous characters enter and exit the story without a sufficient explanation. I recommend Trash to anyone 10 and older, especially if you like mysteries or adventure- type novels. I rate this book a 9 out of 10.

Review written by Sahil (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Trash? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner

Museum of Thieves
by Lian Tanner
Keepers Trilogy

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73905-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73905-4
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $16.99

Review: Action! Adventure! And….Wait! What are slaughterbirds? Museum of Thieves, by Lian Tanner, is book 1 in the Keepers trilogy. It is 312 pages of pure adventure! The main character is Goldie Roth; she's a girl with golden hair. She lives in the city of Jewel, during the late middle ages.

In the beginning, Goldie is in the punishment chains. The punishment chains are chains that children wear to cuff their hands when they get in trouble. It's just the rule in Jewel. She really hates them along with Guardian Hope, one of the seven Guardians. The seven Guardians are like seven gods. The seven Guardians call her impatient and dangerous (though she's not). All she wants is to be separated from her parents on separation day. But it's canceled for a mysterious reason. But then, Goldie finds the perfect plot. On her chance, she bolts out the door. Goldie then realizes that was a bad idea. Now she's alone, and to make things worse, her parents are in jail because of her. Can Goldie stop this crisis and save her parents?

Museum of Thieves is a great adventure. The ending will keep you asking for more! If you love the action-adventure genre, this book is for you. Museum of Thieves is for ages 10 through adult. If you really love the book (which you probably will), look for the second book: City of Lies. I rate Museum of Thieves 5 out of 5 stars. The reason being it's the kind of action you never thought would have happend. I hope to see City of Lies soon!

Review written by Jake (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Museum of Thieves? How would you rate it?

Book Review: World's End by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski

World's End
by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski
Dormia

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-547-48037-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-547-48037-4
Publication Date: November, 2010
List Price: $18.00

Review: Sleepwalkers, giant trees, and a hidden country called Dormia. The second book of Dormia,: World's End by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski introduces Alfonso Perplexon, now fifteen; involuntarily leading himself on an all new adventure. The second installment of the Dormia series doesn't disappoint.

While just trying to lead a normal life, Alfonso Perplexon starts doing some pretty odd things in his sleep, like being led to a hexagonal hole underneath Paris and stealing doctors' needles. But that's not all. He soon finds himself in Alexandria on a quest to save his thought-to-be-dead father, master hyponogia, and save the long-lost city of Jasber. With a rosewood box teaching him the secrets of hyponogia, a stage between waking and sleeping, he may just save the world.

World's End is full of non-stop action, and never ending suspense. For example, "Moments later, the rope fell into the water and the freighter pulled out of Marseilles' old harbor into the open seas of the Mediterranean." The characters in this book are very well developed. I rate it a 9 out of 10. It is amazingly interesting, and impossibly exciting. I could not put it down! The beginning is a great explanation leading up to the start of the action. I love how well the author describes every little detail.

Review written by Anthony (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of World's End for this review.

Have you read World's End? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Battle of Nashville by Benson Bobrick

The Battle of Nashville
by Benson Bobrick
Non-series

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-84887-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-84887-2
Publication Date: October, 2010
List Price: $19.99

Review: The American Civil War is an unforgettable American event that claimed more lives than any other war in U.S. history. Full of lively anecdotes about George H Thomas, Ulysses S. Grant, William Sherman, President Lincoln, and the lives of every day soldiers, The Battle of Nashville captures the passion and drama behind the military strategies of the Civil War. In this highly readable and moving book, filled with photographs and original documents, Benson Bobrick examines both General George H. Thomas and a battle (which is often overlooked) that was instrumental in reuniting a nation. The book includes a chapter on General Thomas (biography) as well as a chapter on the life of an everyday soldier. These two chapters are just two of many informative chapters well written in this book.

Bobrick has done a great job of including photographs with his writing. These photographs helped me visualize what actually took place because of how graphic they were. Wherever there is a photograph, there is an explanation of what the picture shows, why it is important, and the date the picture was taken. The Battle of Nashville kept me interested in what I was reading, and the writing was very clear. Bobrick did a great job of highlighting the military choices that saved the Union, as well as the causes of the war and the personalities who have shaped our understanding of the war today. One of the interesting facts that I learned is how some United States Generals were willing to sacrifice two soldiers to kill one enemy soldier. Stories of past wars interest me greatly, and Bobrick definitely did a great job keeping me interested throughout this book. I would recommend this book to people who have an interest in learning about past wars. I give The Battle of Nashville five out of five stars.

Review written by Zach (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Battle of Nashville? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Vixen by Jillian Larkin

Vixen
by Jillian Larkin
Flappers

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-74034-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-74034-0
Publication Date: December, 2010
List Price: $17.99

Review: Sometimes when it is least expected, a book can completely change the way history is viewed. Jillian Larkin's debut novel, Vixen (the first book in the Flappers series), will have readers looking at the 1920's in a completely new light. In Chicago during the Jazz Age, the role of women is changing as the rich hop from party to party ignoring Prohibition and engaging in one scandal after another. Gloria Carmody is entranced by the flapper lifestyle, and at age seventeen she'd much rather be visiting a speakeasy than spending another dry moment with her fiancé - even if he is Chicago's most eligible bachelor. But, things are more complicated than they seem in Gloria's little privileged circle.

As Gloria prepares for her impending wedding, she is experimenting with a completely new lifestyle - the life of a flapper. Sneaking out of the house, accompanied by her best friend Lorraine and handsome Marcus, to immerse herself in smoke, alcohol, and other clandestine activities becomes essential to her happiness. To spoil her fun, however, her cousin Clara comes to visit and help prepare Gloria for her high-society wedding. In Gloria's eyes, Clara seems like a stick-in-the-mud, and Gloria is determined to make her visit miserable. But, Clara is nothing like she seems. She comes with a suitcase full of secrets and an allure that entrances Marcus - which only infuriates Lorraine. As Gloria delves deeper and deeper into the life of a Vixen, she finds out this life has more to it that she's bargained for, and Jerome Johnson, a sexy jazz musician, is only the beginning.

Vixen is a highly entertaining and historically accurate book. Why can't textbooks be this interesting? Life in the 1920's is told through the eyes of three young ladies - Gloria Carmody, a socialite who seems to have everything, Lorraine Dyer, her envious best friend who will risk everything for attention, and Clara Knowles, Gloria's cousin who isn't nearly as "goody-goody" as she seems! Each character exhibits a witty persona, intriguing sex-appeal, and most importantly, each character harbors secrets - secrets that might just be better off kept secret! Larkin will change the way teens view one of the most fascinating times in history. A once "boring" topic in school comes to life in her story of these young socialites, and readers can't help get absorbed in the social barriers, double standards, and addictive lifestyles of the Roaring Twenties. Larkin does an excellent job of jump-starting the reader's imagination - "Bastain (Gloria's fiancé) had yet to say a word. He just glowered as if he were going to lunge across the table, knock aside the Venetian glass vase of white tulips, and strangle her with his bare hands. Weirdly, that thought was kind of exciting - she had never seen him this heated before. In the past, he'd always been so stable, so predictable. So dull." Her descriptive and fluid prose leaves readers anxious to learn more about Gloria's exploits, as well as this exciting time in history. Fortunately, they won't have to wait long since the second installment in the Flappers series, Ingénue, will be released in September 2011 as they follow Gloria and her friends to New York City.

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

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

Have you read Vixen? How would you rate it?

Book Review: I Will Save You by Matt De La Peña

I Will Save You
by Matt De La Peña
Non-series

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73827-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73827-9
Publication Date: October, 2010
List Price: $16.99

Review: A thought-provoking story of an adolescent's journey of self-actualization is told in Matt de la Peña's I Will Save You. Kidd is broken and alone - trying to escape from his past and keep from the dangers the future might hold. His best friend and worst enemy is Devon. Devon embodies everything that Kidd is not. He's mean, dangerous, and aggressive. Whenever Devon's around, Kidd's life is turned upside down. The one semblance of normalcy is Olivia - the beautiful girl Kidd meets at the beach, a girl with her own secrets to hide.

Kidd is living and working on the beach with Mr. Red - a boyfriend of a former therapist Kidd had at the home. Unbeknownst to Mr. Red, Kidd was not released from the group home, but instead he's escaped. Kidd is a hard-worker, and he enjoys working beside Mr. Red cleaning the beach area and fixing things, and Mr. Red enjoys it too because Kidd fills a void in his life. Everything seems to be going just fine for Kidd - in fact it is going better than fine when he meets Olivia. But, Kidd is evidently not meant to be happy because just as soon as his life starts to go right, Devon shows up. Devon is the kind of boy that Kidd's therapists warned him to avoid. Devon is destined to destroy whatever makes Kidd happy, and right now that is Olivia. Kidd is determined to not lose the life he's built at the beach, so he must stop Devon. But, in doing so, he might just destroy everything.

I Will Save You is an inspiring story of a boy who has faced the worst life has to offer, but who is determined to not let it keep him down. Matt de la Peña tells Kidd's story through journal entries, lists, and traditional storytelling making for an engaging read. Although it can become difficult to follow the story at times since the journal entries and storytelling tend to jump through time, placing events out of order. However, readers will not be disappointed. Kidd is an exercise in character study. His complexity is what draws readers into the story. On the outside he's like any other boy, but on the inside he is struggling with a sense of hopelessness, depression, and mental illness. Each supporting character is equally complex. Even the "perfect" Olivia is far from perfect and harboring a secret. Through Kidd's interaction with Mr. Red, Olivia, and even Devon, readers can see that in spite of the engulfing depression Kidd faces day to day, something else hovers within reach - something called hope. I Will Save You is not only a worthy read for young adults, it would also be an excellent text for any psychology student. It is not a story readers will easily forget.

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

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of I Will Save You for this review.

Have you read I Will Save You? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman

The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights
by Russell Freedman
Non-series

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-547-48034-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-547-48034-3
Publication Date: January, 2011
List Price: $10.99

Review: I very much enjoyed this story of a person who overcame frustrations and challenges that stood in their way on the path to accomplishing their dreams and ambitions. I also enjoyed the fact that some people are able to overcome hard times and achieve so much success and yet are humble, kind, and outward focused despite the doubtfulness they receive for their hard work they do. Such a person is Marian Anderson, a famous "vocalist who had been applauded by European royalty, welcomed at the White House, and adored by appreciative listeners in concert halls across the United States. But because of her race, she was denied the right to sing at Constitution Hall, Washington's largest and finest auditorium." Her story is told in the Newberry Honor book, The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman. There is no series, but this isn't the first book from Russell Freedman, nor is it by far the first book about the struggles for equal rights. The main person in this book is Marian Anderson, and what amazing accomplishments she made for equal rights.

Marian Anderson not only had to face many problems herself, but astonishingly she helped other people with their racial related problems. She had to overcome people doubting her ability to make all rights equal. But little did everybody else know, Marian was one day going to make at least something happen. The way she helps others with their racial related problems was by actually fighting for equal rights. However, in the end, Marian Anderson made a huge movement towards equal rights for all citizens.

I was very impressed with the strength of Marian's character in the face of injustice. She quietly asserted herself while remaining dignified and charitable to others. This book contains many quotes and pictures that vividly illustrate the kind of person Marian were. I liked how she incorporated her singing into the equal rights moment. I think this author really did get into how he and Marian would feel if they were in the same situations. I also liked how the author specifically added every aspect of her life to the story. I would definitely recommend this uplifting book filled with hope, strength, and exciting moments, to older and younger readers. It will surely fill you with hope as you see how much one person can really make a huge difference, and maybe it would inspire someone else to do something to make a difference, if they just believe and try hard enough to achieve their goal.

Review written by Bianca (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights for this review.

Have you read The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Non-series

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-86659-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86659-3
Publication Date: October, 2010
List Price: $16.99

Review: Romantic! Epic! A twist in every chapter! Dash & Lily's Book of Dares is a must read if you are into romantic, funny, heart-warming, clever and witty novels. The book is a heart-touching romance between a boy and a girl, (Dash and Lily) that are at first complete strangers that meet through a red journal Lily purposely leaves behind at a favorite store of hers. This is a brilliant book written by too fantastic authors, Rachel Cohn (author of Lily's chapters) and David Levithan (author of Dash's chapters.) This story isn't continued in another book, but there is a series of other similar stories by the same authors, such as Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist .

The novel consists of two main characters, Dash and Lily, your average16 year olds. During a time period of 10 days, the two clever teenagers exchange a red notebook notebook containing information on their own lives, and other stories and adventures, never revealing who they are, until Lily panics and accidently takes the book home with her, leaving Dash with no possible way of finding her - so she thought. Unsuspectedly on December 27th while Lily's about to dive into her first kiss with Edgar Theobald, out of the corner of her eye, she sees a young man who identifies himself as Dash, walk into her unclear drunken vision. They meet up in a park, a few days after their first encounter. One event leads to another and before they know it they are in the back of a squad car being taken downtown. After being released from jail on New Year's Eve, they go onto an adventure in the Strand, (a book store) and find themselves locked in the storage room, in a basement trapped together for the rest of the night.

This book is definitely a book suited for mature readers; curses and other inappropriate sayings or words are commonly used in the text. But the book is still entertaining, clever, and easy to read. The characters of Lily and Dash have a lot and common and are the perfect match for each other. They have great chemistry and click easily. The book leaves you wanting more and lets you into the lives that these two adventurous teens live and fulfill. The voices and narrations of Dash and Lily fit there personalities perfectly; the authors do a great job describing them and their own life styles, so the book makes more sense to the readers. Some things that I liked about the book were how there are two different narrators to keep the book interesting and upbeat, and under every chapter title was the date which shows the progress and time of the two characters' lives. The book was hard to put down and one of my favorite books. I recommend it to everyone.

Review written by Samantha (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Dash & Lily's Book of Dares for this review.

Have you read Dash & Lily's Book of Dares? How would you rate it?

Book Review: THE RIVALRY: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game by John Feinstein

THE RIVALRY: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game
by John Feinstein
Non-series

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-86570-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86570-1
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $16.99

Review: Clever, interesting, and funny are three of the many ways to describe The Rivalry . John Feinstein puts together an award-winning story that will keep you wanting to read more. This story falls in with sports fiction books. Susan Carol Anderson and Stevie Thomas are teen reporters who are covering the Army/Navy college football games. Stevie mostly covers Army and Susan Carol mostly covers Navy. This amazing duo writes about lots of different things concerning the Army/Navy rivalry.

After Stevie pleads with his parents to let him cover the Army/Navy game, he heads to Washington D.C for a big Washington Post and Washington Herald meeting. Stevie later goes to the Army Post to dig up stories that the Washington Post or Washington Herald may want to publish. While at Navy, Susan Carol is covering the Navy side of this famous rivalry. When she goes to a Navy/Notre Dame game, the referees call everything badly for an unknown motive. Susan Carol writes a story about the obvious bad calls. At Army, a hole in security lets unknown intruders cause distress at the Army/Navy lunch. When interviewing players Susan Carol and Stevie find that, there could possibly be a threat to the President of the United States. This concerns many people. There are unknown conspiracies that take form from interviews and Susan Carol's dad. Who will win the Amy/Navy game?

I absolutely love this story! The Rivalry kept me on my toes and ready to read. I did not want to put the book down. I feared something interesting would happen and I would have to wait. Not only does The Rivalry have suspense, it also has numerous funny parts. If you want an all-in-one book with suspense, action, and humorous writing, there is no better book. I laughed at the writing of the story. There are many good one-liners and ideas kept through the whole story, such as Susan Carol being so much taller than Stevie. John Feinstein writes in a different format. He goes back and forth between where what is happening at the Army Post and the Navy Yard. He also throws in what is happening on game day. This gives a rounded knowledge of what is happening everywhere. Reading the title of each chapter helps you know the time, place, or big event in the next chapter. I was seriously hooked on the ending. I could not do anything until I finished the book. I was sucked into the world that John Feinstein created and could not bring myself to jump out from the pages of the story. I felt excited every time I flipped the page because I knew the adventure would continue. The ending is extremely unexpected. I thought that it was going to be something totally different. The details in The Rivalry come into play at the end. I imagined the ending to be something with then president but it was not. The story leads in a direction then you look at it in a different way and the ending unfolds. The Rivalry goes beyond five stars!

Review written by Kathryn (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of THE RIVALRY: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game for this review.

Have you read THE RIVALRY: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens
by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce
Magic Tree House Research Guide

Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-86010-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86010-2
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $4.99

Review: Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens is by Mary Pope Osborne. This nonfiction book goes along with Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time. This book describes the poor working conditions, the terrible jobs, and the terrible illnesses during Charles Dickens' times in London.

In the eighteenth century in London, England, kids and adults, rich and poor were walking in the dangerous, hazardous streets, in search of money. All the boys who had jobs were either a chimney sweeper, mudlark, trapper, drawer, factory worker, cloth maker, or a costermonger. If you were desperate for money you would steal money right from people's pockets. A journalist once wrote that in 1856, London police arrested over 73,240 people for stealing money.

The working conditions of most jobs caused horrible lung diseases by the pollution, smoke, and smog. The match factories produced a dangerous substance called phosphorus. Phosphorus is a chemical that lights up in the dark. In the chemical, the fumes caused a disease called phossy jaws which rotted many of the workers' jaws. As soon as the nineteenth century began, London began changing with the rest of the world, and started to improve the working conditions, put in safer equipment, and make factories safer.

In the end of the book, there was a happy ending because the people of London were experiencing working conditions that were better to work in than before. I would give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars because it was very intriguing to read about people of the eighteenth and nineteenth century from London, and about their horrible working conditions and how the conditions improved for the better. That is why I liked Rags and Riches.

Review written by Sam (5th grade student).

We would like to thank Kane Miller for providing a copy of Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens for this review.

Have you read Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell

Trickster's Girl
by Hilari Bell
Non-series

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-547-19620-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-547-19620-6
Publication Date: January, 2011
List Price: $16.00

Review: She didn't think she was crazy," but you will. Trickster's Girl is written by Hilari Bell and is the first book of The Raven Duet. 15-year-old Kelsa Phillips has just lost her father due to cancer and is very frustrated with her mother. When she is approached by a boy her age on a midnight walk, she is taken aback. He claims his name is Raven, and needs Kelsa's help to heal Earth. One of the many things Kelsa is worried about is why does he keep asking her if she believes in magic?

Set in 2098, teenager Kelsa lives in Utah with her mom, and her five year old brother, Joby. On a midnight walk to secretly bury her father's ashes, a teenage boy appears in front of Kelsa and after a short and unwelcoming conversation, Kelsa manages to run away. Eventually, the boy, who reveals himself as Raven, starts following Kelsa everywhere. As well as around the neighborhood, he meets her at school and anywhere she is. Raven tells Kelsa she must save the world to fix the disruption of magic created by humans. Only a human can fix the magical damage of a human. Will Kelsa risk her life to save man (and magic) kind?

I really like the detail in Trickster's Girl . Hilari Bell explains every detail, like the feathers on a raven. Speaking of ravens, the two main characters, Kelsa and Raven are very well developed. How they act and talk is a perfect match with the setting of the story. Even with a story set way out in the future, the plot is very unique and intriguing. Since Trickster's Girl is the first of a two-book-series, the story is kind of left incomplete. All the problems throughout the story are tied up, though. I give Trickster's Girl 5 out of 5 stars because there is an epilogue which has an unexpected ending that surprises you and is left open-ended. You should read this book especially if you like futuristic story plots.

Review written by Sahaj (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Trickster's Girl for this review.

Have you read Trickster's Girl? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate by Lesley M. M. Blume

Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate
by Lesley M. M. Blume
Non-series

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-86203-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86203-8
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $16.99

Review: We have all heard about fairies, dwarves, and elves at least once when we were little. We thought that fairies were beautiful, cheery, creatures. But if you think that fairies, dwarves, and goblins are really like that, then you need a lesson from the fairy expert Miss Edythe McFate. The wise, Miss Edythe McFate, is created by the author, Lesley M. M. Blume. Miss McFate narrates Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties written by Lesley M. M. Blume and is the person to go to for any fairy situation. She has the most vast knowledge of fairies anyone can ever have.

Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties is not just one big story; it is made up of lots of little stories that somehow come together into a masterpiece. Miss Edythe McFate shares her knowledge of mythical creatures showing up in human lives and shaking things up. For example, she uses a story called "The War at the Algonquin Hotel," to show how fairies show up in human lives. In most of the stories, Miss McFate explains how some people can see fairies with "fairy sight" and how some people can not. She is almost like a librarian who knows about fairies and how they live and work. She knows about dwarves and their underground homes. She even knows about mermaids, (which according to her are really fairies). These fairies have their own stereotypical stories. In the beginning, Miss McFate explains that all fairies are not dancing, sugar plum fairies, and dwarves are not all whistling as they go to work. They are really dark, scary creatures.

Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties is a great read for people who believe in or have an interest in mythical creatures. Their actions may surprise you, but also seem logical in many ways. I love the illustrations in the book. The pictures are really not what you would expect fairies, goblins and dwarves to look like. Miss McFate makes fairies and other creatures look almost evil, yet gentle and sweet at the same time. The author of Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties does a wonderful job explaining and giving examples of experiences with fairies. It is very hard to give examples about experiences that might not be real. I think that this book is somewhat humorous, but mostly serious. It requires your imagination in order to fully understand or enjoy the stories. I, personally, think that best parts of the book are the stories that explain how fairies show up in peoples' lives. This book is a great read for anyone who wants to learn about fairies or anyone who has a curious mind and imagination.

Review written by Savannah (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate for this review.

Have you read Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Hacking Timbuktu by Stephen Davies

Hacking Timbuktu
by Stephen Davies
Non-series

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-547-39016-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-547-39016-1
Publication Date: November, 2010
List Price: $16.00

Review: Gigantic amounts of gold, a mysterious clue about where it's hidden, and an extremely brave thief. Does this intrigue you? This is only a glimpse of what Hacking Timbuktu is about. Stephen Davies has written a brilliant novel about stealing, hacking, parkour, and chasing. This non-series book focuses on the characters Danny Temple and Omar (Grimps) Dupont as they go on many thrill-seeking adventures.

Tons of gold has been stolen by Akonio Dolo. Several members of KOAD or the Knights of Akonio Dolo have unsuccessfully been trying to recover the hidden gold for many years. Then, pro praceurs Danny and Omar attempt to get the treasure, but the only clues left are number squares. Unfortunately, they have been taken from the Timbuktu computer by Moktar Hasim, the leader of KOAD. One of their journeys leads them to meet the Dogon street boys who play a strong part in helping them travel safely through the caves. After traveling around through many adventures, Danny eventually thinks the stash of gold has been hidden in a cave where the Dogon bury their dead. As he explores the cave, he stumbles upon a secret door that reveals something that instantly changes Danny's mood.

Stephen Davies does not disappoint us in his writing of this novel. The vividly described action makes you feel like you're actually participating in everything that happens in the story. Each of Danny and Omar's exciting adventures help lead the reader to the ending. Every adventure they experience keeps the reader on the edge of their seat wanting to find out what they will do next. Stephen Davies wraps up the story brilliantly with an unexpected ending in a way no one could have guessed. There are many different aspects of the book which most people can relate to such as gymnastics, action, history and battle. One thing I didn't enjoy was, considering how frequently the boys travelled, it was unclear as to exactly what country they were in at times. Also, French and Arabic terms and phrases are used throughout the book. Some examples of these are salam alaykum (an Arabic greeting) and mon ami (french for my friend). I recommend this book to anyone age 11 or older because of the novel's in-depth adventures and use of different languages. I rate this book a strong 9 out of 10.

Review written by Sahil (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Hacking Timbuktu? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Star of Stone: Century Quartet Book II by P. D. Baccalario

Star of Stone: Century Quartet Book II
by P. D. Baccalario
Century Series

A Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-85896-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-85896-3
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $16.99

Review: Amazing. Inspiring. Gripping. P.D. Baccalario's newest book- Star of Stone yet again demonstrates adventure just seeping through every page. Being book two in the Century Quartet , its four main characters become as clear as they are more mysterious. For those who have read The Ring of Fire - book one of the series, hoards of questions now bat at the brain. Who really was Alfred Van Der Berger? Why has he left so many mysteries only to be answered by even more mysteries and so forth? Why do so few people understand the true power of the artifacts and tops? All of these questions are solved more or less as their answers turn into even more of a mystery.

New York, the big city. Busy streets of wonderment as well as treachery. A place such as this could only be what Baccalario describes as the city of earth. When a new artifact called Star of Stone is discovered here, the four heroes, Harvey, Elettra, Minstral, and Sheng set off on another adventure together. Their quest leads them into finding more than they bargain for, for better or worse, and they soon envelope themselves in another mystery of the now deceased Alfred Van Der Berger. Love begins to transpire between two particular people as well as aggressive arguments between others. All of this begins as the group tears through New York, from musty pawn shops, to the old city hall, to even a boxing gym. But they are not alone. Even as they search, their enemies are closing in, searching for the artifact. They are not what you would call the giving up type. These guys make Jacob Mahler appear to be as scary as a blowing leaf. With this in mind, it becomes a race against time. Will the children be able to stop the villains and claim the new artifact, or will power shift into the wrong hands for good?

Suspenseful as well as mysterious, the Star of Stone is in my opinion yet another successful piece on the part of Mr. P.D. Baccalario. Like The Ring of Fire, I enjoyed the creative idea of putting in special middle pages in the book. This allowed the reader to go along with the book as more and more clues were discovered and truly organized everything perfectly. This book really focused on deep characterization, especially in Harvey, and also plunged into the mystery of Alfred Van Der Berger which began at the very beginning of the first book. I rate this book a top score of five stars because of its imagination, mystery, and characterization. The Star of Stone ties to the ages of eight to fourteen. I would highly recommend reading Ring of Fire and then continuing with Star of Stone . As I have mentioned, this is only the second book in the Century Quartet series, and two more books are yet to come. I am confident that P.D. Baccalario is on the right track to writing a bestseller with phenomenal results. In truth, I already believe he has done so twice.

Review written by Brandon (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Star of Stone: Century Quartet Book II for this review.

Have you read Star of Stone: Century Quartet Book II? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Calvin Coconut: Zoo Breath by Graham Salisbury

Calvin Coconut: Zoo Breath
by Graham Salisbury
Calvin Coconut

Wendy Lamb Books
ISBN-10: 0-385-73704-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73704-3
Publication Date: September, 2010
List Price: $12.99

Review: Calvin Coconut: Zoo Breath is the fourth book in the Calvin Coconut series. Author Graham Salisbury writes about a boy named Calvin who lives in Hawaii with his mom, younger sister Darcy and sixteen year old sister Stella.

Calvin has recently gotten a new dog named Streak that has terrible breath. Now Calvin is afraid that his mom will make him give her away. What happens in this book is Calvin and his friend Julio have to do a science project for school, so they decide to study stinks! They study the stinks of dog breath, a toilet hole, dead frogs, and many more. However, there are some spies in the story that try to make fun of Calvin and Julio's science fair project. Will they cure Streak's bad breath or will Calvin have to return her to the humane society? As you read you might find some surprises along the way.

I think that this is a great book for kids ages 8 through 10. I would definitely recommend this book to other students. They would have a good time reading this hilarious book, especially if you like stinks! You might find some surprises along the way. Make sure to pick up Calvin Coconut: Zoo Breath at your library today! You would never believe how fun it is to read a book so stinky!

Review written by Hayley (5th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Calvin Coconut: Zoo Breath for this review.

Have you read Calvin Coconut: Zoo Breath? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Case of the Mysterious Countdown by Fred Rexroad

The Case of the Mysterious Countdown
by Fred Rexroad
Whiz Tanner Mystery

ISBN-10: 0-9817742-5-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-9817742-5-1
Publication Date: October, 2010
List Price: $8.95

Review: The Case of The Mysterious Countdown is another marvelous, fascinating, and extremely brain catching Whiz Tanner mystery. The Case of The Mysterious Countdown by Fred Rexroad is an action packed suspenseful story for people who enjoy an explosive ending. The Tanner Dent Detective Agency is on the case to stop The Case of The Mysterious Countdown and paste their faces on the front page of the Jasper Springs Newspaper again. This book is an adventurous page turner that will take you through the journey of how two brave middle school kids crack a mystery wide open.

It is an unforgettably slow summer for the Tanner Dent Detective Agency when Whiz Tanner gets a phone call from his uncle in New York City who is reporting a library book he has found, but the problem is that the book is a Jasper Springs library book! Wishing for a good juicy mystery, Whiz and Joey decide to go to New York to investigate the scene. When they arrive at Uncle Wilson's home, Whiz takes a look inside the book and discovers a coded message. When he deciphers the message, it says that the countdown has begun and it gives a location, but the shocking part is that the location is in Jasper Springs! Joey and Whiz eagerly return to Jasper Springs and search for suspicious activity and any clues that will help them figure out how to stop the unknown countdown. After days of research and complicated work at the agency's Crime Lab, Joey and Whiz discover two enigmatic clues that reveal the identity of The Case of The Mysterious Countdown. Now it is just a foot, bike, and car race to see who ends up being triumphant. Read the story to see what the countdown is and how it ends.

Fred Rexroad nails his third book in the Whiz Tanner Mystery series with a great deal of creative writing. I have read all the books in the series, and this one seems to be the best one yet because it is a tremendously suspicious page turner that reveals a puzzle piece on every page. Whoever reads this book will be dashing through all 192 pages to see what happens at the unpredictably shocking ending. Another thing I like about this book other then the suspense is that it is well explained so readers will not be confused if they have not read other books in the series. Readers will notice that the story goes on like a violent rollercoaster showing not just how Whiz and Joey investigate, but also their relationship and how intelligent they really are. The Case of The Mysterious Countdown is a great story for middle school students because the characters themselves are middle school kids. Unlike other books, The Case of The Mysterious Countdown is a book that is attention-grabbing right from the first chapter which is what makes readers continue reading. After reading this book you might be influenced to read the other books in the series because they are also excellent. Last but not least, this mystery has the most enigmatic and remarkable clues that I have ever read which make this book exceedingly fascinating and out of the ordinary. It is nice to know that writers like Fred Rexroad can make two kid detectives as intelligent as Sherlock Holmes. All in all, The Case of The Mysterious Countdown is a magnificent book that is immensely entertaining and suspenseful. Though the mystery eventually ends, I hope Fred Rexroad and his creative series does not.

Review written by Ravi (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Fred Rexroad for providing a copy of The Case of the Mysterious Countdown for this review.

Have you read The Case of the Mysterious Countdown? How would you rate it?

Review: The Phantom Tollbooth 50th Anniversary Edition by Norton Juster

The Phantom Tollbooth 50th Anniversary Edition by Norton Juster.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2011
List Price: $24.00
ISBN-13: 9780375869037

Review: Norton Juster has re-released a book that will blow your socks off - The Phantom Tollbooth. In this classic tale, Milo, Tock (a helpful watchdog), and Humbug are on a mission to bring Rhyme and Reason back to Wisdom. Milo is a typical boy who is bored with school and bored with life. However, in The Phantom Tollbooth, Milo's world is turned upside down.

One afternoon, Milo comes home from school and finds a package with his name on it. He opens it and finds a note stating that the package contains a tollbooth that will take him to one of two places. He picks Dictionopolis. Milo gets into the provided car and begins his adventure. Milo quickly finds that something is not quite right in this new world. For instance, his car only goes if he is thinking. Eventually, however, Milo makes it to Dictionopolis where he is given the ultimate task to bring back Rhyme and Reason. However, both the King of Dictionopolis and the King of Digitopolis banished Rhyme and Reason, and Milo needs both their approval to bring Rhyme and Reason back. The Kings, however, haven't agreed on anything since they banished Rhyme and Reason. Will Milo be able to convince the warring brothers that Rhyme and Reason need to be released? What other adventures will Milo and his newfound friends face along the way?

The Phantom Tollbooth hooked me right from the beginning with all of its twists and turns. The author built up suspense by putting the three main characters into dangerous situations. I tried to guess what was coming next, but I was way off. He also uses a lot of figurative language. For example, Tock is a watchdog that has a body made out of a watch. I never wanted to stop reading. The craziness and excitement of this fantasy made it a must read. This book was one of the best books I have ever read.

Review written by Michael (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Phantom Tollbooth 50th Anniversary Edition for this review.

Have you read The Phantom Tollbooth 50th Anniversary Edition? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Crazy Beautiful
by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Non-series

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-547-40310-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-547-40310-6
Publication Date: January, 2011
List Price: $7.99

Review: Centuries ago, Gallowglass were elite foreign military soldiers. Really, a person couldn't do better than to have a Gallowglass for a bodyguard, because they would suffer greatly themselves to protect those they served, they would die if need be while upholding honor. Aurora's Gallowglass comes in an unsuspecting boy with hooks for hands in Lauren Baratz-Logsted's book Crazy Beautiful. Her Gallowglass is Lucius, she just doesn't know it yet. Lucius is starting his sophomore year as a new student, not because his parents got new jobs, or because they wanted to move. No, he's starting at a new school because he blew up his old house and lost his hands in the process. Lucius is brilliant, but he's a nobody, and now everybody thinks he's crazy. Aurora is also starting at a new school this year. But she's there to get away from memories that haunt her, memories from when her mother died. She and her dad are starting their new lives together at the high school. Aurora is a ray of sunshine - always looking for the best in people and being the kind of girl her mother taught her to be. She is beautiful inside and out. Crazy Beautiful is the tale of these two unlikely people who find their way through high school drama, and through their own personal pain to a sense of hope.

Crazy Beautiful is a captivating book. It is written in parallel stories through Aurora and Lucius' eyes. Lucius is the kind of kid people hate to read about in newspapers. He's intelligent, but he's an outcast, and he's tired of being that person. So out of desperation, he turns to explosives to make himself feel better. It's a timely story in that regard. Aurora, on the other hand is the kind of girl everyone wishes they could be. She's beautiful, smart, talented, but most importantly she is beautiful on the inside. She's a model for teenage girls everywhere. As the story develops and Aurora and Lucius find their way through a new school, Lucius starts to change and develop into a person who is possibly less disliked by others, but more importantly, he develops into a person who he might just be able like as well. The author has not created a novel where readers will brush it off as fantasy, but instead she wrote a book that could really happen in every high school across America, and it's the kind of book that will bring a sense of hope to every teenager who has ever felt that life is more like a crisis than a picnic. Crazy Beautiful will have readers feeling pain, searching for hope, and overcome with emotion. It's the kind of book readers will read over and over again.

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

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

Have you read Crazy Beautiful? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher by Wendelin Van Draanen

Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Sammy Keyes

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-86107-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-86107-9
Publication Date: October, 2010
List Price: $16.99

Review: Have you ever read a book that is just so good, you just don't want to put it down? Thinking along these lines, if you'd like to read a book like that, I highly suggest Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher. Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher, written by Wendelin Van Draanen, is one book out of a series, the Sammy Keyes series. In this novel, Sammy Keyes, a middle school girl, is asked to attend a wedding, to be precise, Officer Borsch's wedding. Everything is hectic and Sammy is convinced that she's having the worst. At school, her new science teacher that everybody hates, Mr. Vince, is going nuts over threats that have been planted all over in the classroom. Sammy's arch enemy, Heather, took a photo of Billy writing Die-Dude on the chalkboard. Heather is also trying to pin all of the blame on Sammy, so she'll have to clear herself. Billy admits to writing it, but he swears that he didn't plant a dead rat in the room. Who did if Billy didn't do it? Did he do it? If so, why? Somebody also planted the items in Mr. Vince's room. Later in the book, Sammy almost discovers a lead but not quite. Will they capture the criminal(s) before the culprits leave town? They happen to spot the criminals on the wedding day, 5 minutes before it starts. Will they get married after all?

Wendelin Van Draanen blends emotion and adventures into this book. I'd recommend it more for kids, especially ones in sixth grade. Sammy's life is just like mine; she goes to middle school and faces some of the problems that I've faced. Even though it is part of a series, you can read it even if you haven't read the preceding books. I love the way she keeps you tied in to the story and you'll even melt into the story like I did. I could even imagine myself standing in the classroom being screamed at for planting horrifying things there. If you don't read it, you'll surely miss out on the fun...

With the holidays coming up, I'd highly recommend it as a book to purchase. Just be careful: once you start reading it, you can forget about all chores until it's finished!

Review written by Colleen (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher for this review.

Have you read Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher? How would you rate it?