Review: Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde.

Magic Carpet Books
Publication Date: June 2004
List Price: $6.95
ISBN-13: 9780152051259

Review: Rassuman Gaming Center can be fun; however, it's also very dangerous. It depends if anybody breaks in and ruins the equipment. That happened only once, but of course, they had to be when Gianinne's hooked up to a game called Heir Apparent, which is also the title of this tragic, mysterious novel, written by Vivian Vande Velde.

Gianinne visits the Rassuman Gaming Center and all is fine, until some people - who are wrong to believe they are civilized- break into the control center, and alter the technology while Gianinne is hooked up to a game! As a result, she is trapped Heir Apparent, and she cannot get out unless she wins this impossible puzzle. That means Gianinne must find the magic ring, answer a sort of dwarf, troll, wizard thing and his stupid riddles, create a poem for the head-chopping statue, make dozens of ghosts disappear, and return to the barbarians the crown that turns objects into gold. Oh! Did I forget to mention that the crown is guarded by a man-eating dragon? And that Janine, Gianinne's character, has limited life... and time? Yeah, there are way too many ways to get killed. Unfortunately for Janine, this is her first time playing this game, so the odds are against her. Is it possible that she will win the game in the limited time she has? Or will she be mentally demented for the rest of her life? Read Heir Apparent to find out!

I personally, strongly, believe that I've been blessed with great books. Vivian Vande Velde is a better author than I can ever imagine. If there is a sequel to this book, I'll be sure that get my hands on it; I can promise anybody that. Not only does the book have a setting that in a technologically advanced world, Velde also manages to make it mimic medieval life too! However, as much praise I give, I still have to admit that I rate this book 4.999 stars. First of all, the characters are not developed enough for my liking. When I was trying to sketch the characters, I really struggled. It was like a mystery to me. On the other hand, I loved her writing style. For instance, "It was my fourteenth birthday, and I was arguing with a bus. How pathetic was that?" Another example of just plain fun writing is, "Just then, her desk dragon pooped on the desk. I should have taken it as an omen." She reveals a lot about her characters though the dialogue, "Ouch. Not a very good first impression on my family. And what was that awful smell? Oh yeah. That was me."

Review written by Tam (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Heir Apparent? How would you rate it?

Review: Dogs in the Dead of the Night by Mary Pope Osborne

Dogs in the Dead of the Night by Mary Pope Osborne. A Magic Tree House Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2011
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780375868245

Review: Have you ever had to search for something small in a large, uncommon place? In the book, Dogs in the Dead of Night (Dogs in the Dead of Night #46 in Magic Treehouse series) by Mary Pope Osborne, brother and sister Jack and Annie have to travel back in time to the Swiss Alps during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. Their task is to find a rare flower to save their friends. On their quest, they then meet a dog named Barry and offer to train him, but he runs away. Now they have a new task…. To find Barry!

Jack and Annie better prepare for the worst! After they are sent back in time to the Swiss Alps in search of a wild flower, Jack and Annie are caught up in an avalanche. Fortunately, they are rescued by monks and Saint Bernard's who live at a nearby monastery. It is there where Annie makes a big mistake. One of the mischief-making Saint Bernard's named Barry is causing ruckus around the monastery, so Annie offers to train him. While attempting to train him, Barry accidently rips up a book and runs away from the monastery out of shame. Scared and worried, Jack and Annie head out to search for Barry. Will Jack and Annie find Barry and the flower to save their friends?

Dogs in the Dead of Night is a very entertaining, funny book with many thrills. I liked how the author describes the characters emotions. For example when Barry tears up Jack's Alps book, Jack is enraged with anger as he walks in the room and sees the mess. I also really liked the setting of the story. For example, the Swiss Alps and the monastery are an unusual and interesting setting for the story. But the setting also gives it a twist because of the effect it had on the problems that jack and Annie faced. For example, when jack and Annie were searching for Barry, an avalanche occurred and became an obstacle. Although the book is fantastic, it seemed as if the book was rushed and before I knew it was already the ending. I this book would be for kids who are new to chapter books. All in all, I think that this book is great for a reader who loves good laughs and adventures. Dogs in the Dead of Night deserves 4 out of 5 stars.

Review written by Sam K. (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Dogs in the Dead of the Night for this review.

Have you read Dogs in the Dead of the Night? How would you rate it?

Review: Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas by Gary Paulsen

Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas by Gary Paulsen.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385746847

Review: Everyone always has something, some object, thought, or task, they do or think of to get away from unfortunate things in their lives. Whether it's loving animals, reading a book, or hiding somewhere; there is always something; that being said, what do you do to escape reality? I have read many Gary Paulsen books; therefore I know he's an unbelievably talented author. To me, Paintings from the Cave by Gary Paulsen is quite possibly one of his best novels yet. Like many of his books, the main characters include kids, teenagers, and or animals.

One aspect of this book is that it was divided into three stories. Each 40-64 page story includes three different characters: in the first story the main character is a boy named Jake, the second story is a girl named Jo, and in the third story's main character was a boy named Jamie. Each story is incredibly different however, all of the stories have one thing in common; they are all about kids facing difficulties within their families and aren't exactly living the life they would want to live. For instance, in the first book, Jake, who has always believed that if "you stop moving, you're done", lives with an aunt that is an alcoholic and doesn't pay any attention to him. Jake adapts this motto because of the fear he feels toward a character named Blade. Blade is a criminal, a drug dealer who scares the living daylights out of Jake, so Jake does everything in his power to avoid him. Blade is never arrested [not that the police wouldn't bother to show up to those run down apartments], and is always on the lookout for more henchmen to do his dirty work. Jake has learned to keep a low profile, but that isn't enough. The infamous criminal Blade wants him now. But the real question is, can he escape from Blade, or will he end up working for the criminal, like most of the other young kids in the apartment complex for the rest of his life? Read the Paintings from the Cave to find out.

Secondly, the next story is about a girl named Jo who like Jake isn't living how she would like to live. Joe lives in a trailer with her mom and dad who are horrific parents and alcoholics. They are constantly screaming at each other and fighting. Luckily, she too learns how to fly below the radar and passes by unnoticed. Joe's way to forget about her life is to surround herself with dogs of any kind. Like any other dog owner, Joe takes her dogs for daily walks. Unlike many dog owners however, she takes her dogs to the woods where she met another girl that love dogs just as much as she does, her name is Rose. Jo and Rose quickly became best friends but sadly isn't long before Joe discovers that Rose has been diagnosed with leukemia. The more time the girls spend together the more affectionate Joe's dogs become towards Rose. Rose is embarrassed by her illness and tries to isolate herself. Can their friendship be saved? Will Rose survive through her experience? Read the Paintings from the Cave to find out.

Lastly, the third and final story included in this book is about a girl named Jamie. Like the second story, this girl has a special love for dogs. Unfortunately Jamie and her older brother are being physically abused .so they decide to move out of that house. Her brother Erik is very serious and understands that in order to support his sister and himself he needs to work two jobs. Erik relentlessly works around the clock to provide and is very strict about money. In contrast, Jamie is loving and more of a free spirit. She finds herself drawn to a local dog park; where she spends the day sketching dogs. She is noticed by a volunteer from the pet shelter and is offered a deal. His offer is to give her ten dollars per portrait, he believes that her drawings will aid in finding dogs new homes. Things seem to be looking up for the siblings, or so it seems. Are Jamie and Erik really capable of balancing their new life? Can Eric keep working two jobs or will he start to crack? Will Jaime take the generous offer and sell her sketches? If you truly want to dig down deeper read Paintings from the Cave and find out what mysteries lay behind the cover of this book.

In closing, and as I mentioned earlier, I think Paintings from the Cave includes many elements essential for a great novel and is a ideal example of what young readers books should be like. One thing I was pleased about was the flow of the book, It is imperative that every book has a good flow and isn't choppy as many books are. Books that go too far off track always make me lose interest. Gary Paulsen has made himself of the best authors of all time. Paulsen has written brilliant book after book including Hatchet, Dog song, and The Rifle. Therefore, I agree with Publishers Weekly when they say "Paulsen writes another touching story about human kindness and humanity…… This emotional coming of - age journey about taking responsibility for one's own happiness and making personal connections will not disappoint". The reason I agree so greatly with Publisher Weekly on this particular quote is because Paulsen's books truly are touching are I can always count on his books to excite, inspire and certainly not disappoint me. Gary Paulsen has created a legacy and it is in fact an honor to be reviewing one of his books. To conclude, I am very eager to dive into another one of Gary Paulsen's epic works of art.

Review written by Kaleb (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas for this review.

Have you read Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas? How would you rate it?

Review: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan. A Heroes of Olympus Book.

Hyperion Books
Publication Date: October 2011
List Price: $19.99
ISBN-13: 9781423140597

Review: Do you ever wonder what it is like to be a child of a god? In The Son of Neptune written by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson has lost his memory. Percy has to fight monsters, go to a camp of warriors, and survive getting attacked by giants. And if you think that is hard, try making some friends along the way. Percy meets a few new people to the Heroes of Olympus series. Those people begin with Frank, Hazel, Octavian, Reyna, Terminus, and last but not least, the giants. But when Thanatos is captured by Gaea, and her son Alcaeus, It is up to Percy and friends to save the day. And what is worse than having a time limit. With the Feast of Fortuna coming up and an attack by a giant's army, will they escape this adventure with their lives?

The Romans and Greeks have never been friends. In The Lost Hero,the first book in the series, Jason is barely kept alive a result of conflict. In The Son of Neptune Percy could have been killed if hadn't been for Juno. They are also very similar. Jason is a son of a forbidden god and so is Percy. They meet up with the rivals to their gods and have to face-off with them. Percy and Jason have unique fighting strategies. Jason forces a god to teleport, but can Percy kill one? And how will the other similarities affect Percy's quest? Will those similarities save Percy and his friends?

The Son of Neptune is a tremendous book. It fills you with all sorts of emotions and surprises you every time you turn the page. This book can be viewed as many genres and is a book for all ages. If your friend says they can't read it because it is so long, then tell them that its length is what makes it so an excellent read. It tells of a great story and its many details keep you up to pace. This book is a must read and will also teach you Roman words. The Son of Neptune is one book that is perfect for a long trip when you can get brought up to date in Rick Riordan's novels. This book was one of the greatest I have ever read. In fact I cannot wait for Rick Riordan's next book. The Son of Neptune sets high standards for authors worldwide. Individual parts of the book shined the most. I would even say Athena's wisdom would be rivaled by Rick Riordan. The quote that I thought was important to the book was when Juno says, "So what will it be? Safety, or a future of pain and possibility?" That meant a lot to me because if he crossed over he could die and if he didn't, he would get chased by gorgons until they find his weak spot and kill him. So he has to make the choice that is better for everybody else. It also shows that he is as selfless as a true warrior that wants to win a battle even if it means he would sacrifice himself. "All hail Rick Riordan" will fill everybody's mind once they read The Son of Neptune.

Review written by Joseph (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Joseph for providing a copy of The Son of Neptune for this review.

Have you read The Son of Neptune? How would you rate it?

Review: The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster with annotations by Leonard S. Marcus

The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster with annotations by Leonard S. Marcus.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2011
List Price: $29.99
ISBN-13: 9780375857157

Review: Fifty years ago, a young architect who was given a grant to write a children's book about urban planning & design felt as if he was "about to be buried alive under a mountain of facts." During an escape he met a young boy who was bound and determined to find, once and for all, the largest number. Completely amused by the young boy, this architect was filled with new life and a new idea for a book. Little did he know his book would still be celebrated fifty years later! This young architect was Norton Juster, and his novel is The Phantom Tollbooth - a book that has not only been a staple in classrooms across the country, but has also been made into a musical! Today, Leonard S. Marcus has made a classic even better. The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth is the original story supplemented by an intriguing introduction and hundreds of annotations.

The Phantom Tollbooth is an exercise in figurative language. It is the type of story that can be read over and over again at different stages of a reader's development and take on new meanings each time! Now with the annotated edition, the depth of understand a reader will have is astounding. Marcus' annotations are clearly the result of extensive research and richly support the text. He includes information that he learned as a result of interviews and his own analysis of the book. He also has incorporated actually copies of notes that Juster took when he was planning his novel. For example, in the story it says "Easy as falling off a log." Apparently Juster did an entire warm-up exercise to brainstorm idiomatic expressions that might lend themselves to comedy. A copy of his notes is included in the annotations! The annotations provide the reader with a much deeper understanding of the story and provide ideas for even further information. Juster uses verbal paradoxes throughout the novel, and Marcus offers a suggestion for further reading on such a literary style. As a teacher, The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth is essential to teaching the novel, however, even for the casual reader, the annotations will make an already amazing story even more thought-provoking and fascinating!

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

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth for this review.

Have you read The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth? How would you rate it?

Review: Show Time by Sue Stauffacher

Show Time by Sue Stauffacher. An Animal Rescue Team Book.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 2011
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780375858505

Review: Have you ever had to deal with squirrels that were too friendly with people terrorizing a college and a veteran's facility and also winning a jump rope competition at the same time? Well, an ordinary girl named Keisha has to deal with both of these. In the book Show Time (from the Animal Rescue Team series) by Sue Stauffacher, squirrels had been scaring some of the students and staff at a local college and it's up to Keisha and the Animal Rescue Team to stop them! But Keisha also has a jump rope competition to win. Can she do it all?

Keisha Carter and her family's problems all change when they get a call from Mt. Mercy College, about squirrels frightening the students and staff! So the Animal Rescue Team (Keisha and her family) arrives at the scene to investigate. In order to gather up more clues about the situation, the team has to make some careful decisions about the squirrel situation. Meanwhile, Keisha has to deal with some of her own problems. The Grand River Steppers jump rope team has a chance of placing in the finals, but Keisha is so nervous that she keeps messing up her routine! While working on the squirrel situation, Keisha meets Sergeant Pinkham, a retired war veteran that is getting used to his new prosthetic. Keisha tells Sarge about her problems with her jump rope routine and her squirrel situation. He encourages her and tells her she will succeed but only if she stays focused and practices the routine. He just might be the person to help Keisha calm down, have fun and do well at the competition. Can Keisha get over her problems and do well in the competition? And will the team finish their problem with the squirrels?

Show Time is a great book for kids from 2nd to 4th grade. It is a book full of laughs and surprises that make the reader want to continue reading. A part of the book that made me laugh was when Razi was performing his tap dance routine at the school performance and he fell on his bottom! Also, I liked how the author made the reader think of how the characters were going to solve their problems and decisions. For example, when they first wet to the Mt. Mercy College they didn't know where to start with their investigation. This made me think of where would be a good place for them to look first. I did not like that in one chapter it would talk about the squirrel situation but in the next chapter it would be something different with a new place and new characters. All in all, I think this book is great for someone who loves a few jokes and many surprises. Show Time deserves 4 out 5 stars.

Review written by Sam K. (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Show Time? How would you rate it?

Review: Also Known as Rowan Pohi by Ralph Fletcher

Also Known as Rowan Pohi by Ralph Fletcher.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: November 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547572086

Review: A once in a lifetime opportunity, an application to Whitestone Prep, and the hands of Bobby Steele. You'd never guess how it ends up. The author of, Also Known As Rowan Pohi, is Ralph Fletcher. Fletcher takes you on a wild and crazy adventure as we follow "Rowan Pohi."

Soon-to-be 16 year old Bobby Steele and his friends, (Marcus and Big Poobs) are sitting at their local hangout, IHOP, when they come across an application to Whitestone Prep. Whitestone is a very fancy private school where only rich kids go. But when the boys decide to mess around and send a fake application in, under the fake name Rowan Pohi, they end up in a sticky situation. The application is actually accepted! And Bobby decides to become Rowan Pohi! But Bobby decides not to tell any one that he is going to Whitestone. Now, Bobby doesn't have the best background either, so when he gets a chance he takes it. Bobby's father went to jail for hurting his wife a year ago. Now he is back, but his wife left. At first Bobby's plan is working well, he even develops a relationship with a few people. But, soon a school bully and his friends figure out his secret! With upset friends and a threatening school bully, what will Bobby do? Will he run away and hide? Or, will he stand up for himself?

Also Known As Rowan Pohi is a great book. It includes drama, comedy, and even a little romance. I love the character that Fletcher made. Bobby sounds like a regular boy just trying to get by. I also very much enjoyed the comedic feel that Fletcher gave it. It helps make the story more interesting. At the same time I would not let an under-aged child read this book because it does have some foul language. Other than that it's the perfect story. The graphics supplied in Also Known As Rowan Pohi allow you to imagine yourself there next to Bobby, experiencing what he experiences. As much as this book is funny, it is emotional as well. Fletcher's amazing detail makes you feel how Bobby feels. And when he's in trouble, you feel sympathy for him. I cherish that in books. One of my favorite things about fictional books is that you get to "live" out your fantasies through the characters. And that is exactly what happened in Also Known As Rowan Pohi. That is my favorite quality in a book. So, if you've got some extra time, pick up Also Known As Rowan Pohi, I think you'll enjoy it.

Review written by Savannah (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Also Known as Rowan Pohi for this review.

Have you read Also Known as Rowan Pohi? How would you rate it?

Review: The White City by John Claude Bemis

The White City by John Claude Bemis. A Clockwork Dark Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2011
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375855689

Review: A fantastic and adventurous tale, The White City, written by John Claude Bemis, is a blast of fantasy in the bustling city of Chicago. Action swarms around every corner as Ray and his friends fight off the darkness that could change the fate of the world. But as this daunting battle transforms to complete war, the World hangs on its final thread. No matter what the result of the war is, Ray's and Conker's lives are about to change forever.

As the Clockwork Series draws into its third book, Ray and his friends work together from both sides in order to bring down the Gog. Ray and Jolie chase after Ray's sister while searching for his father in the Gloaming. Conker and his friends are already in Chicago and are attempting to retrieve the Nine Pound Hammer. Although the numbers are against them, and most of Chicago is under the influence of the Gog, the Ramblers are determined to foil his evil plans. But Ray and Conker are quickly running out of time. The Gog's machine, the machine of death destroyed by John Henry, is almost rebuilt. Ray and Conker must drive the hammer into the machine's heart before it awakes. But killing the machine is not enough. In order for the machine to truly be destroyed forever, the idea of it must be destroyed as well. This means that the Gog must die as well. Will Ray and Conker be able to save the world, or will the world's final thread snap after their failure?

An amazing story of great courage and strength, The White City perfectly drew together American myths and legends into a fantastic fantasy. I would recommend this story and series to anyone who has an interest in fantasy or who wants to pick up a good book. I feel that The White City will attract readers ten and up mainly for its vocabulary. Before reading this series, I had no interest in mythology and very limited love for fantasy. By reading these books however, I have learned to give them a chance and have found that I enjoy them very much. I give this book five stars for its ties to mythology, fantasy, and historic America. John Claude Bemis is an inspiring author and I have high hopes that he will continue his writing career. In fact, I am positive that this is not the last time we will hear his name.

Review written by Brandon (8th grade student).

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

Have you read The White City? How would you rate it?

Review: The White Fox by James Bartholomeusz

The White Fox by James Bartholomeusz.

Medallion Press
Publication Date: December 2011
List Price: $9.95
ISBN-13: 9781605424620

Review: Have you ever been out of this universe to a different planet and had to learn alchemy? Jack Lawson has this experience with his friend, Lucy. When the Cult of Dionysus, the people of dark alchemy, attacks Earth in search for the Door of Darkness, tragedy strikes the town of Birchford. Jack and Lucy flee Earth to go to the planet of Rauthr. After weeks of combat and alchemy training, Jack and Lucy meet up with the Cult once again. In this stand-alone book, The White Fox by James Bartholomeusz, will Jack survive?

Jack and Lucy barely survive on Earth. While traveling to Rauthr, a white fox follows him. Upon arriving there, Jack and Lucy meet elves and dwarves. They look for the leader of the Apollonians, Sardar, who guides the people of light alchemy. Jack and Lucy go through weeks of combat and alchemy training to prepare for battle. The Cult of Dionysus appears unexpectedly and battle takes place.

I rate this book a five out of five. The White Fox is very suspenseful, keeping me on the edge of my seat almost every second. I found it difficult to put the book down. "The beast's body fell into the heart of the volcano and its spirit was fused with the mountain itself." is an example of how the author's writing kept me captivated. The story is also OUTSTANDING. The various planets, creatures and state of involving alchemy are very interesting to me. I like how the author uses his imagination to create this extraordinary story. I would recommend this book to a friend, but only with a high reading level. There are a few words that I stumbled on, but managed to understand. The author should make a series of this story. There are no downsides to this book, being one of the best I have ever read.

In my opinion, The White Fox should win many awards. A good story lies within this book. It was very enjoyable to read and I will read it again.

Review written by William (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Medallion Press for providing a copy of The White Fox for this review.

Have you read The White Fox? How would you rate it?

Review: In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton

In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton. A Goblin Wars Book.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: November 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547435602

Review: Imagine this: you have goblin blood inside you. There's no way to get it out, and you desperately want to get rid of it. Goblins are ready to kill, kill, KILL! You're a good person, and you're in love! But you have a decision ahead of you, that you can change your life. You could kill and pretend that you have no idea, or curl up in a ball and die. But, you can also fight the fight, even though it might be useless. Well, this is the situation that Teagan Wylltston faces, just inside the pages of In the Forest of the Night, from the Goblin Wars series, by Kersten Hamilton. This is, however, the second book, so consider reading the first book before reading this one.

Teagan (or Rosebud, as her dad formally calls her) has recently fallen in love with Finn. However, she cannot lead the life she wants, not until they banish all evil from Mag Mell, a magical place in which magical creatures roam. And she's is becoming sicker by the second, and it just so happens that the sickness is growing because of Fear Doirich. He's not bad, no, he's EVIL! But he's not the only one, Kyle, who's body is asleep in Mag Mell, is dangerous! He, too, is ready to kill, just like others who have goblin blood. The rest? You'll just have to read this book and find out.

For a series like this, I can't think of a better author than Kersten Hamilton. She used such descriptive phrases! In the Forest of the Night includes romance, adventure, and mystery. The combination of all three caused a lot of emotions to explode inside me. Excitement, anxiousness, and I constantly felt on the edge, as if I couldn't stop reading until I finished the book. If my memory was constantly being erased like Mr. Wylltston's memory, I would keep rereading this book. It's that good. At first, I didn't really understand the plot, because I had not read the first book, and maybe, if I looked at the cover closer, I would have noticed that it said "Book Two". However, this is not the first series that I've read the second book before the first one. I WILL, though, make sure that I read the first book, Tyger Tyger. And once the third book comes out, I'll make sure I'll read that one too. I rate In the Forest of the Night five stars.

Review written by Tam (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of In the Forests of the Night for this review.

Have you read In the Forests of the Night? How would you rate it?

Review: The Sign of the Black Rock by Scott Chantler

The Sign of the Black Rock by Scott Chantler. A Three Thieves Book.

Kids Can Press
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $17.95
ISBN-13: 9781554534166

Review: There are many books about thieves, right? True, however, none of the thieves are like the ones we deal with in this story. These thieves are not the parkour action escape type. These thieves are actually much nicer ones. Scott Chantler has written an eye capturing graphic novel that will be good for a wide range of kids and adults. It is a fun and exciting read for a diverse group of people. The Sign of the Black Rock is the second book in the Three Thieves series. The main characters are the Three Thieves (a girl - Dessa, a norker-a small grumpy creature, and fisk- a very large and strong creature), and an innkeeper.

After attempting to steal from the queen's treasury, the 3 thieves, now fugitives are on the run to avoid being caught. It won't be too easy with the queen's dragons after them. They are even offering a "reward" for them. Eventually, they find themselves trapped. That happens after someone tricks them and they do not have Fisk to help them. The innkeeper does not really care for his wife Eudora, and puts her in charge of watching over the thieves but she and Dessa become friends. With dragons after them, escape is far away, but at the same time much closer than they think.

This book is filled with suspense which is one of the many things I enjoyed about this book. You never know what is going to happen next as the 3 fugitives are on the run to safety. The highlight of the book is definitely the suspense because for the most part you don't know what will happen next. Dessa has something "valuable" that was taken. She wants "it" so badly that she has to escape in order to get it. There are only a few negative parts about this novel which actually do not have to do with the storyline. An example of this is that the name of the book does not have anything to do with the story itself, so that kind of threw me off. A title I would suggest for this story is Thieves on the Run . This addition to the first book in the series is an attention-grabbing read. I recommend it to anyone 9-13 who is looking for a fascinating and fun, relaxing read. Overall, I feel this book is well written and entertaining. I rate it a solid 7 out of 10.

Review written by Sahil (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of The Sign of the Black Rock for this review.

Have you read The Sign of the Black Rock? How would you rate it?

Review: Who Cares? by Krista Blakeney Bell

Who Cares? by Krista Blakeney Bell.

Kane Miller
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $4.99
ISBN-13: 9780734404664

Review: Krista Blakeney Bell outdoes herself in this tale of secrets and surfers. Who Cares is a must-read, so start reading. Toby and Rhys are your average 14-year-old boys. They have hobbies of their own, families of their own, and of course…there's always that one big secret hiding behind the walls of every person. Toby attends an all-boys school, which makes his love for tap-dancing something he needs to keep quiet. Rhys, who goes to school with Toby, has a huge secret of his own, something no one can know about.

Toby and Rhys' moms are old friends from college. When they accidentally run into each other at the grocery store, things for Toby and Rhys get interest. Rhys' family owns a beach house in Lorne, and Toby's mom wants him to spend the week there while she's on a business trip in Hong Kong. Toby isn't too keen on the idea, but he goes along for his mother's sake. Toby and Rhys don't know each other very well. Other than the fact that they both enjoy surfing, they have nothing in common. But when Toby tells Rhys of his passion for tap-dancing, Rhys feels the need to keep his own secret far from the ears of his new friend. The only thing is…Rhys' secret is turning ugly, fast. And he has to get Toby out of Lorne before he discovers any more about it. Everyone has secrets. And one way or another, they always come out.

When I look at any other book I have ever read about the bond between children, this has to be one of the best. The author takes some of the most incomprehensible thoughts that almost all children have and turns it into a great novel. When someone tells you to read Harry Potter or something, don't listen. Read this book. Read it, memorize it, and learn all you can from the words of Krista Blakeney Bell. Because what I only just figured out as I closed the back of this book is that a true friend won't care about what secrets you have. Every time you start worrying about what they're going to think, they surprise you by flat out saying, "Who cares?"

Review written by Amber (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Kane Miller for providing a copy of Who Cares? for this review.

Have you read Who Cares?? How would you rate it?

Review: The Undrowned Child by Michelle Lovric

The Undrowned Child by Michelle Lovric.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2011
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385739993

Review: The city is sinking, the seagulls are murdering, and Teodora needs to hasten! In my opinion, The Undrowned Child written by Michelle Lovric is a very remarkable book. This thrilling book is about a thirteen year old girl named Teodora who isn't aware of the fact that she is already part of Venice history and more importantly doesn't even know that she was born in Venice. After begging her step-parents to take a trip to the strangely appealing city of Venice, she finally has the privilege of going to the slowly but surely sinking city. Being the bookworm she is, one of the first things Teodora does when she arrives in Venice is travel to the library. Unfortunately, she gets knocked down by a book [which as it turns out, is not a coincidence] gets awfully ill and enters a very peculiar world known as "between the linings" where only children, ghosts, and of course mermaids can she her. Luckily, she bears a book that gives her knowledge on how to overcome the challenges and tasks she will come across on her journey. She goes on a journey with a conceited; know it all, boy Renzo to attempt to revert Teodora to her ordinary life. But will she be able to overcome all the obstacles that await? Read The Undrowned Child to find out!

The Undrowned Child has a variety of great elements that I enjoyed. For instance, throughout the book, I felt like I was Teodora and was accompanying her in her journey. The book includes great tone and voice and I felt the energy as if I was traveling through the book. While reading the book, I was sucked into the excitement, feeling exactly what Renzo and Teodora felt. I also enjoyed the flow of the book. All of the events occurred in an order that made sense and was suitable to the reader. I agree with Jake Hope, Booksellers' Choice, when he said this book is "a stunning debut novel….. Part fairy tale, part historical fiction, this is writing that is alight and alive." Lastly, I favored the last chapter that includes facts about Venice. It includes sights you could still see in the ever so slightly sinking city of Venice and even more appealing facts of the ever so famous city. Therefore, The Undrowned Child is most definitely a book I'll never forget.

Review written by Kaleb (6th grade student).

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

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

Review: Ankylosaur Attack by Daniel Loxton

Ankylosaur Attack by Daniel Loxton. A Tales of Prehistoric Life Book.

Kids Can Press
Publication Date: September 2011
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781554536313

Review: It was a morning long, long ago - millions of years before humans walked the Earth. As the first rays of sunlight shone through the trees, a young ankylosaur opened his eyes. He looked around. The cool morning air began to warm up. He turned his huge armored body to bask in the sun. So begins Daniel Loxton's book Tales of Prehistoric Life: Ankylosaur Attack. Ankylosaur Attack is the story of a young ankylosaur who meets an older ankylosaur who has been injured. Knowing that ankylosaurs prefer to be alone, he doesn't bother him. However, when a tyrannosaur appears on the scene, the young ankylosaur must think fast if he is to save the older ankylosaur and even himself!

Ankylosaur Attack is a beautifully illustrated book. The pictures pop off the page engrossing the reader into the adventures an ankylosaur experiences. The life-like portrayals of the animals strengthen the story considerably. However, it is not simply a book full of neat pictures. The story itself is both interesting and informative. Loxton weaves in facts about ankylosaurs in such a way that the reader learns about dinosaurs without feeling as if they are reading a nonfiction text. Plus, at the end of the story, Loxton includes a brief section in which both the ankylosaur and tyrannosaur are explained in a more traditional nonfiction format. Tales of Prehistoric Life: Ankylosaur Attack is a perfect book for any young dinosaur enthusiast because it is well-researched and has rich, vivid illustrations; plus it's a great story!

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

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of Ankylosaur Attack for this review.

Have you read Ankylosaur Attack? How would you rate it?