Review: The Twinning Project by Robert Lipsyte

The Twinning Project by Robert Lipsyte.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547645711

Review: Do you like to read books about two earths? Well, then you'll like The Twinning Project by Robert Lipsyte. In the There are two main characters, Tom and Eddie. Tom gets in trouble a lot and he makes gadgets. Eddie is really good at sports, and unlike Tom he doesn't get into trouble.

The plot of The Twinning Project is that Tom and Eddie are twin brothers, but not on the same planet. Tom is living on Earth One, and Earth one is the original earth. On the other hand, Eddie is on Earth Two, the second earth. The only problem is that Eddie's earth is 50 years behind Tom's earth. That means that Eddie doesn't have the things Tom has and isn't familiar with the devices Tom has. They soon learn that there really is a planet two and one, so they switch places with each other. People called watchers are on both earths looking for Tom and Eddie. Read the book to find out what treacherous situations the boys face!

I really liked about the adventure in this book. Also, I enjoy the plot, two brothers on a different earth. Another feature that I like about the book is that Tom and Eddie are being chased by the watchers. The action component makes the book exciting. In my opinion, this book is 5 stars and two thumbs up!

Review written by Amit (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Twinning Project for this review.

Have you read The Twinning Project? How would you rate it?

Review: Eighth Grade is Making Me Sick by Jennifer L. Holm

Eighth Grade is Making Me Sick by Jennifer L. Holm.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780375868511

Review: Are you in eighth grade? Do you like reading about people your own age? If your answer to those questions were yes, then you would definitely love the book Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick by Jennifer L. Holm.

Ginny Davis is starting eighth grade and she has a lot of things she wants to accomplish this year. She wants to tryout for cheerleading, convince her mom to let her bike to school, work on art, look good in her family's Christmas photo and much more. Some of these things don't work out for her, but some work perfectly and some work, just not the way she had expected. For example, she wanted to have a cool Halloween costume but ended up being a worm! Join Ginny as she goes through many hardships with her family and at school.

Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick was not one of my favorites. The beginning doesn't really make sense and there are a lot of confusing parts. It really wasn't what I had expected. I got home to start reading and I found out it isn't like a normal book. It is made out of letters and pictures and texts. Some ideas were not clearly explained or seemed really random! For example, one letter is explaining that a refrigerator broke. It is signed Òthe management.Ó I had no idea who the management was! I eventually guessed that it was Ginny's mom. Although 8th Grade is Making Me Sick is targeted to readers ages 12 and up, I think that this book is not appropriate for anyone below eighth grade. It could be viewed as inappropriate. Eighth graders might be able to connect with it but I couldn't. Personally, I prefer a traditional book, and I did not like how this book is organized.

Review written by Lilia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Eighth Grade is Making Me Sick for this review.

Have you read Eighth Grade is Making Me Sick? How would you rate it?

Review: Jump Into the Sky by Shelley Pearsall

Jump Into the Sky by Shelley Pearsall.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375836992

Review: I did my book report on Jump Into the Sky by Shelley Pearsall, published by Alfred A. Knopf. This is about the life mostly that Levi was living. Also if you are wondering there are no more books in the series at least one that has been made that is getting ready to be published or is published. Now what will happen to Levi in the book? Especially considering he's going into the south and he's colored and the south still doesn't give fair rights to black people. Does anything happen to Levi, what occurs, and will he ever find what he's looking for? Read on to learn more and read the book to learn exactly what happens.

It all started out when Levi, a 13 year old boy, was living in Chicago with his Aunt Odella. Aunt Odella went off of ÒsignsÓ. For example, her dead cactus plant that wasn't supposed to grow again grew fully in 1 day, so she guessed that the war was coming to an end which was right when the Germans surrendered. The Japs just wouldn't stop though so that war continued on. Anyways Levi's dad was colored and in the army in the 555th battalion of paratroopers. Or in other words people that parachute or people who jump into the sky. Levi's mother left when Levi was a baby and they had a family with a history of leaving. So as it turns out Aunt Odella got a sign so she sent Levi (He's colored) into the south to find his dad. As it turns out he had already left secretly with the army so Levi couldn't find him. Will Levi ever find his dad and what will happen? Read this book to find out.

Well if you are wondering which you probably are what happens read the book! I would actually rate this book an 8 out of 10 stars because the plot was interesting, but the beginning was kind of boring. It was a little dry due to the lack of action so. So a note to all you considering reading this book, stay with it to the middle or around page 60 it gets more interesting. You'll see that if you stick with it. Anyway, again stick with the book while you kick back and enjoy all the action and you'll surely enjoy this fun-packed book. So for the last time: READ IT!

Review written by Ryan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Jump Into the Sky for this review.

Have you read Jump Into the Sky? How would you rate it?

Review: Poison Tree by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Poison Tree by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385737548

Review: Do you love supernatural, blood curdling, suspenseful stories about vampires and shapeshifters? Then you have to read Poison Tree by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. Sarik, a normal girl who's dad wanted her to become someone she's not is living her own life in fear. A stranger, Alysia, who can't be the person she is trying to be, tries to tell herself that she has to put her job behind her. Alysia has always tried to call herself something more than a mortal.Both Sarik and Alysia must handle the situation and decide what price must be paid about what happened on a stormy night.

Throughout the whole book, Sarik and Alysia both face their own problems. For Sarik, being a shapeshifter can't be easy. She sees her own sister get killed right in front of her and then watches her dead human body just lay there hopelessly. A few other characters pop up throughout the book and tell their stories. Alysia even gets back in touch with an old friend, Christian, who tries to help her with her problems. At the end of the book Sarik also runs into someone familiar. You'll just have to read and find out what happens!

Poison Tree is not my favorite book, but I liked it. I thought the book was a little slow for me but it does keep the suspense flowing. If you are like me and read a lot of supernatural type books, then it may interest you. This book is appropriate for kids ages 11+ because It describes very graphic scenes and has mild language. Some people may be able to relate to this book because the main characters face their own personal problems. I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5, because like I said, I thought it was a little slow but still likeable. All in all, Poison Tree is an enjoyable book and I think many people will enjoy it. Go grab a copy today!

Review written by Morgan (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Poison Tree? How would you rate it?

Review: Winning Team by Dominique Moceanu and Alicia Thompson

Winning Team by Dominique Moceanu and Alicia Thompson. Book One of The Go-For-Gold Gymnasts Series.

Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: April 2012
List Price: $5.99
ISBN-13: 9781423136330

Review: Did you ever have to move far away from what you called home? Or start fresh in everything? Well, that is what happens in Winning Team to the main character, Brittany Lee Morgan. This book, Winning Team, is written by Dominique Moceanu (an actual Olympic Gold medalist) and Alicia Thompson. It is first in the new The GO-FOR-GOLD Gymnasts series. The main character, Britt, is an Elite gymnast in Ohio. But then, her entire family moves to Texas just for her to train at a world class facility with the Texas Twisters team. The girls on the team, Christina, Noelle, and Jessie, are getting along fine and practicing well at the gym until Britt arrives. Conflicts arise when Britt comes along, especially when she can do moves that none of the other girls can do yet. But, when they try to sort things out, the relationships get messed up even more. Can these four girls get over the yelling, crying, and overall drama, to grow stronger as a team?

The characters are so believable; they are normal people, under a lot of pressure. Even though I'm not a gymnast, I could still relate to this story, as an athlete and a kid. The gymnastics gym, the girls' houses, the mom's day care, and the competition are all described in fabulous detail. The setting description makes me feel like I'm there with them. As far as suspense, when Britt is practicing her acrobatic moves on beam unsupervised, Noelle can tell trouble is coming. She says, "You will get into huge trouble, and I don't want to be dragged into it with you." I most definitely would read this book again because it really drew me in. Winning Team really, truly, deserves 5 stars for its drama, action, suspense, and overall unique story. I loved it! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, called Balancing Act!

Review written by Ali (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing a copy of Winning Team for this review.

Have you read Winning Team? How would you rate it?

Review: Daughter of the Centaurs by Kate Klimo

Daughter of the Centaurs by Kate Klimo. Book One of the Centuriad Series.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375869754

Review: "Sometime in the future. An earth populated with half-animal, half-human creatures. A girl who may be the last human." Malora Thora-Jayke, a lover of horses, wanted to follow her father's path of a master horseman until disaster stuck the small settlement where the last of the human race resort to. In Daughter of the Centaurs, written by Kate Klimo, Malora receives a first-hand account of the thrills, wonders, and perils that wreck havoc beyond of the borders of the settlement that she had once called her home.

In the comforts of the settlement, Malora is comfortable with her living style. While her yearning to become a horseman like her father, Jayke, her mother, Thora, constantly urges her to take up medicine and herbs like herself. Malora resisted, thinking that she had time to persuade her father to teach her how to become a master horseman. She was wrong. While her father was out hunting with the other men in the settlement, they were attacked by the Leatherwings as they were returning from the hunt, but he worst thing was that Malora watched every second of it with widened eyes from the safety of her home. She watched her father, along with the other men and horses get carried off into the distance. All except one horse. Sky. Sky was her father's horse, and the moment that Malora saw the dust clear away and catch sight of Sky, she knew instantly that Sky was for her. She also knew that the Leatherwings would return for more of the People. Sent on a journey away from home, not only to protect herself from the Leatherwings, but also to protect herself from the truth, Malora sets of on her own into the wild, with only the provisions her mother had packed for her, Sky, and her knowledge. From the young age of twelve to fifteen, Malora roamed the wild, building up a herd for her own. When she returned to the settlement to learn the truth, she was shocked. Burdened by grief, she once again galloped through the wild with her "boys and girls", right into the trap of the centaurs.

After finishing up this story for the first time (indicating that I reread Daughter of the Centaurs more than once), I was slightly disappointed. Not of the writing; it was, in fact, beautiful, but of how I only read the first book. I was shocked the intensity in which I had yearned to read more Based on where it said "Book One" and that I still have no idea who the heck Ash even is, I am sure that it will become a trilogy or series at the most. I rate Daughter of the Centaurs five stars, because though I could hardly contain my excitement, Daughter of the Centaurs was still an amazing book. I think that it is quite original that Malora Thora-Jayke became Malora Ironbound. Kate Klimo definitely has plenty of surprises up her sleeves for those like me who want to continue to follow up on her books. The title of Daughter of the Centaurs made me think of a more literal meaning, that the main character was actually the daughter of centaurs, that she was a centaur herself. It made me wonder about what the conflict could have been. Oo! Rebellion, I remember predicting before I even began reading the summery. Eventually, I figured out that it wasn't literally a daughter of centaurs, but rather about how Malora's mother called her "Daughter of the Mountains", how Malora herself preferred to be called "Daughter of the Plains", but eventually became the "Daughter of the Centaurs" despite her various names.

Review written by Tam (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Daughter of the Centaurs for this review.

Have you read Daughter of the Centaurs? How would you rate it?

Review: Till Death Do Us Bark by Kate Klise

Till Death Do Us Bark by Kate Klise. A 43 Old Cemetery Road Mystery.

Sandpiper
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $5.99
ISBN-13: 9780547850818

Review: Are you the type who likes mystery, adventure, and suspense? Do you like to read books that you can't put down? If so, read Till Death Do Us Bark, the third book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series by Kate Klise. A puzzling page turner with twists about main character Seymour and his adventures to keep the late Noah Breth's dog after following him home all while Kitty and Kanine Breth, children of late Noah Breth try to hunt for their father's secret stash of money.

Seymour is a boy who now lives in Spense mansion on 43 Old Cemetery Road with ghost Olive C. Spense and Mr. Grumply after his biological parents went to jail. After Secret, the late Noah Breth's old dog follows Seymour home. He falls in love with him and is determined to keep him forever. Meanwhile, bratty Kitty and selfish Kanine Breth go on a scavenger hunt to find the hidden coins that their father left that were worth millions. While talking through letters and messages, Seymour, Mr.Grumply, Olive, Kitty and Kanine uncover secrets to lead to the truth. Will Seymour get to keep Secret? Will Kitty or Kanine find the jackpot? What mysteries will be revealed?

Unlike in some books you can relate to these characters. Aside from the fact that there are ghosts, I can connect to Seymour, feeling stuck or confused. The characters in the book are fascinating and full of feeling. Kate Klise (author) did a great job of describing the characters, feelings and actions. I could actually hear their voices, different voices for each as I read them back to back. I think that this book could appeal to wide range of audiences. It's not just for kids. It's a different short book that will keep anyone's attention with its out of the ordinary thrilling plot, cliff hangers and many secrets. Till Death Do Us Bark is also full of engaging language that helps keep your attention. Like for example, in the story in a letter to Sheriff Mike Ondolences, Kitty says, ÒNothing gets up my danger like injustice. That is why I am writing to you that I have proof my stupid brother is trying to swindle me out of my share of my father's money.Ó Not only does it have alluring vocabulary, but after almost all the lines I read, I got chills. Do not get me wrong; this gripping story is full of mystery, but has many jokes and humor that makes you crack up. After reading, I got an important message to face your problems and don't run away, and to not keep secrets but to talk to people about them. Kate Klise, author, deserves five of five stars for her tempting, suspenseful dialogue, original characters, memorable theme, and action packed writing style. As if you did not want to from the first line, go out and buy or borrow your own copy today! Enjoy your soon to be favorite book ever!

Review written by Megan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Till Death Do Us Bark for this review.

Have you read Till Death Do Us Bark? How would you rate it?

Review: The Ghost Roads by Eoin McNamee

The Ghost Roads by Eoin McNamee. A Ring of Five Book.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385738217

Review: Do you like fast-paced, suspenseful, and giant battle types of books? Well if you do The Ring of Five: The Ghost Roads is the perfect one for you. The Ghost Roads is the overwhelming conclusion in the Ring of Five trilogy. It is written by Eoin McNamee who has also written The Navigator trilogy and Resurrection Man. The main character is Danny Caulfield who is a spy.

The treaty has been broken and two worlds (the Lower and Upper worlds) are about to go to war caused by Ambrose Longford, the leader of the Ring of Five. Danny Caulfield is the only one who can stop them. Danny is the most powerful human being alive, considering he has the power of the fifth, a power like no other. When Danny realizes that his ÒmotherÓ was captured he goes to rescue her and that is when uses his power, destroying everything there. He then is on the run and meets the travelers who guide him to Longford in the Upper world. There Longford corners Danny and tries to make Danny use his power to start the war but it backfires on him. He then meets up with a friend named Nala and quickly travels by boat to Wilsons, a school for spies that is the thread still holding the two worlds together. They arrive at Wilsons to find it is almost at its doom. Will they survive? Find out in The Ring of Five: The Ghost Roads.

I would rate this book an 8.9 from a scale from 1-10. What I loved about this book is the plot that will grab you and not let go. It was exciting, suspenseful, and fast-paced, like the giant battle at the end. I also like the mind-blowing description used by the author to help me visualize the setting and characters. His work also created a mood, for example when Les and Dixie were on the roof about to die it was heart-breaking. Another thing I love about this novel is the characters traits. For example: the main character, Danny, is round and dynamic since he changes at the end. Because he is round it helps me understand why he does what he does. Danny is also my favorite character because I like the way he acts and reacts to things around him, plus I like his guts. I treasured the cliff-hangers that were present at the end of the chapter, it left me not wanting to put the book down and not stop reading. There was one bad thing in this book, too. There was one time when I didn't even know what was happening. That was when the plot was a little too confusing.

I would think this is a book for kids 10+ because it would be hard for kids under 10 to understand the book. All in all this was one of the best books I have ever read. This is a must read book that everyone will love.

Review written by Ronak (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Ghost Roads? How would you rate it?

Review: The Master of Misrule by Laura Powell

The Master of Misrule by Laura Powell.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375865886

Review: Have you ever read the book the Hunger Games or watched the movie? Did you like it? If so you might like the book The Master of Misrule by Laura Powell. Master of Misrule is about a young girl named Cat and her friends Flora, Blaine, and Toby. All they want are their prizes that they earned fair and square after winning the sinister games of Triumph. But, everything goes wrong when they tried to claim them.

Cat lives in London with her Aunt Bel because her parents had happened to die when they were picked to play the deadly game of Triumphs. Years later, Cat and her friends are also picked to play Triumph. If Cat wins, her prize is to get her kidnapped sister back so she and her friends really want to win. The story begins right after Cat wins Triumph and expects to have her sister returned to her. Unfortunately for Cat and her friends, the Master of Misrule double crosses them and makes them go through many more exciting obstacles to claim their prizes like crawling through a mud pit, fighting off a monster and climbing up a bush filled with tiny swords and knifes. Are they brave enough and tough enough to be able to claim their prizes? You will have to read the book to find out!

I thought The Master of Misrule was an OK book but it wasn't the best. In some parts of the book it was easy for my mind to sway away from the plot and focus on something else. This book was actually a little too hard for me to understand. Also, it has quite a bit of inappropriate language. Although The Master of Misrule is geared to readers age 12 and up, I would recommend this book be read by kids 14 and older because of the inappropriate language. My favorite part of the book would have to be when Cat tries to claim her sister the second time. All in all, The Master of Misrule has an interesting premise and might be enjoyed by teens who enjoyed the Hunger Games.

Review written by Anthony (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Master of Misrule? How would you rate it?

Review: Hanging by a Thread by Sophie Littlefield

Hanging by a Thread by Sophie Littlefield.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385741040

Review: Be careful. Stay in groups. Lock the door. And don't be Winston's next murder victim. That is the advice parents give their children in the cozy little coastal town of Winston, California. Sophie Littlefield's Hanging by a Thread, which is not in a series, takes place in the town of Winston. On the outside, Winston is just a normal, fairly small town. But truly, there is something horrid going on inside. Clare is a high school girl who ends up moving back to her childhood town of Winston. But what the rest of the town doesn't know is that Clare also has a secret.

Clare Knight is a seamstress who puts together pieces of vintage clothing into something new. But what practically no one knows is that she has a blessing- or a curse, if you think of it that way: by touching a person's clothing, she can see parts of their past. No one knows about Clare's gift, except for her eccentric grandmother and her non-understanding mother. Everyone, including Clare, prays that this summer will be different from the last two, which have proved horrifying. The past two 4th of Julys haven't been exactly festive; each time, someone was murdered. While the town is trying to convince the media nothing is wrong, at the same time trying to calm themselves, Clare finds something that has the potential to uncover the mystery: the jacket of Amanda Stavros, last 4th of July's victim.

Sophie Littlefield's Hanging by a Thread is the perfect mix of mystery, romance and suspense. I felt like I was in the place of Clare Knight, going through everything in the book, and I'm sure you will too. The characters were realistic and well rounded, and I could picture and feel everything that was happening. I give this book four-and-a-half stars out of five. The story has a meaningful moral, and shows you that things are never really what they seem. While Clare is busy trying to figure out exactly what happened on the 4th of July, her social and home life is falling apart as well. Clare suspects that her new crush may have something to do with the mystery at hand, and terror is the least of what she feels. Teens will relate to the problems in Clare's life, while enjoying the fantastical hints of magic and legend, curses and blessings. I would recommend this book to anyone 12 and up, although some parts may be inappropriate for children under sixth grade. Nevertheless, this story captivated me from the first word to the last. Very well written and packed full of suspense, Hanging by a Thread, is one of the best books I have ever read. The story has a meaningful moral, and shows about the dangers of holding a grudge and seeking out revenge. I enjoyed this book immensely, and I know you will too when you step through into the world of Clare Knight and watch as she deals with her life unraveling and soon merely hanging by a thread.

Review written by Amina (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Hanging by a Thread for this review.

Have you read Hanging by a Thread? How would you rate it?

Review: The Jade Notebook by Laura Resau

The Jade Notebook by Laura Resau . A Notebook Series Book.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385740531

Review: When a girl who has been traveling all over the world in search of her lost father accomplishes what she has been yearning to accomplish her whole life, she finds that even paradise has its dark side. The Jade Notebook, the third book in the Notebook series is written by Laura Resau, tells the tale of a girl who seeks the truth. A girl who seeks her truth.

All her life, Zeeta and her mother have been traveling the world, to experience the different cultures, but also in an endless search of Zeeta's father. Until it finally does come to an end. Zeeta and her mother, Layla land themselves in Mazunte, Mexico, her father's homeland. Zeeta had always dreamed of a place much like Mazunte, a place where she could relax in the bright sun, dip in the cool ocean, and feel the gritty sand between her toes whenever she takes a walkÉparadise. Her true love, Wendell, had an internship photographing rare sea turtles in Mazunte as well, but after decided that she wanted to make Mazunte her home permanently, she discovers that everything and everyone have their dark sides, even Mazunte. As Wendell and Zeeta dig deeper, they discover that Zeeta's father had a hidden past, a dark secret that has been buried for years. Maybe paradise isn't all that great. Maybe the howling in the jungles isn't just the wind, and the sharks that Òglide in the crystal watersÓ aren't just satisfied with seafood. And what about the poachers that raid the beach at night for turtle eggs when everyone- almost everyone is asleep?

Laura Resau's writing style is spectacular, and I loved the plot! Who would have guessed? I certainly didn't, and I am quite surprised that I had no trouble understand the plot despite the hard fact that this is the third book. The story had so many intricate twists and turns, I could hardly keep up! But since I did, I'm glad, because The Jade Notebook is certainly a book I would recommend for kids and adults of all ages. This book really shows the importance of family, and the power of perseverance. I rate The Jade Notebook five stars, and cannot wait to read the books that come afterwards. I loved how descriptive Resau was, and I could practically see the scenes be played out in my mind.

Review written by Tam (7th grade student).

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

Have you read The Jade Notebook? How would you rate it?

Review: Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385737432

Review: Are you the type of person that likes hanging at the edge of your seat? Then, Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead takes you to an apartment in Brooklyn and tells about a seventh-grade kid named Georges (Pronounced George. The -s is silent). To many people he is different and he also bets bullied. He then meets Safer while moving into his new apartment. Safer is a twelve-year-old who likes to drink coffee and does not go to school.

Georges is a kid who is bullied by the so called popular kids. One of those so called popular friends used to be his best friend, but he doesn't bully Georges. Georges has to move from a house with a custom bed to an apartment with his father's old and boring bed. While entering the apartment lobby, Georges's father sees a sign that says ÒSpy Club TodayÓ which obviously told that the sign was old by the way the paper was crumbled up at the edges. His father wrote on the paper Òwhat timeÓ and later that day Georges walked by and noticed the sign said 1:30. So Georges went to the basement at 1:30 and that is when he meets Safer. So they start to train Georges to try to stop the Mysterious Mr. X who they believe is taking bodies in and killing those people. They also believe that he puts them into a large suitcase. So all of his training with Safer helps him in school with all the bully trouble he has. In the end everyone who gets bullied for being different, they all come together and form a group. This group makes all those people that are different, the new normal.

Liar & Spy is a really good book, but in my opinion it does start off with a slow start. Do not let this confuse you. Even though it does start off on a slow start, it does have many dramatic moments that make it flow very smoothly. The whole book is was very suspenseful with many shocking moments. Liar & Spy would be great for kids 10 and up. Liar & Spy does include just about 3 or 4 bad words, but the words are very minor. It also includes a couple of confusing words that are in about one every two chapters. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 because of the tiny slow start, but do not let the slow start deter you. Liar & Spy is an excellent book that I would recommend to you.

Review written by Luis (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Liar & Spy for this review.

Have you read Liar & Spy? How would you rate it?

Review: Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel. Book One in The American Fairy Trilogy.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375869389

Review: Suspenseful, mysterious, and chilling describe the plot of a both freaky and amazing story about a girl. But she's not any ordinary girl; she is part fairy. In the story Dust Girl, by Sarah Zettel, Callie LeRoux goes on many wild and crazy adventures!

Callie and her mother live in a town called Dust Bowl. It is exactly as it sounds. There are dust storms going through there constantly! Her mother is convinced that the man Callie believes is her father is coming for them but Callie knows he will not. Her mother begins to go crazy and then Callie feels like she is going crazy too! She is hearing voices inside her head. ÒThere she isssss.Ó Suddenly, there is a terrible storm and Callie's mother goes missing. She puts her hope in a mysterious man who gives her some clues. Callie befriends a boy and they go on a quest to find her mother. She finds out that she has a unique power that the Warring Fairy factions are trying to take from her. What is she going to do?

I love this book! I would not recommend it to anybody under the age of 10. There are some creepy parts in it that might give kids nightmares but if you really like creepy books then I definitely recommend this! Dust Girl has an incredible beginning! A lot of books have slow beginnings but as soon as I picked this book up I could not put it down! It begins with a very interesting part, saying, ÒOnce upon a time, I was a girl called Callie. That, however, ended on Sunday, April 14, 1935. That was the day the worst dust storm ever recorded blew across Kansas. That was the day Mama vanished.Ó Every time I read that part I get chills running down my spine! If this kind of book sounds interesting to you then you should definitely read the book Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel. This is the first book in the American Fairy Trilogy series. Sarah Zettel is an amazing author!

Review written by Lilia (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Dust Girl? How would you rate it?

Review: Super Surprise by Patricia Reilly Giff

Super Surprise by Patricia Reilly Giff. A Zigzag Kids Book.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780385738903

Review: Silly, adventurous, and creative are three words that describe an outstanding book. In Super Surprise, a Zig Zag book written by Patricia Reilly Gift, Destiny and Yolanda go to school at Zig Zag Elementary School, and are best friends. Destiny Washington is an amazing helper; she helps the lunch lady give out snacks, and helps out in the Afternoon Center. When Destiny finds out that her favorite teacher, Ms. Katz might have to leave the school, she wants to help her stay. Since, Destiny is good at rhyming, and Yolanda is good at art. They will put their talents together. What terrific plan will they come up with?

Super Surprise has realistic characters that made me want to keep reading. The author uses personifications in the book that makes it lively and full of action, for example, Ò Bus Thirteen coughed up onto the street,Ó Destiny said. Super Surprise is appropriate for all audiences, but kids in Kindergarten through 3rd grade would be fonder of satisfying ending of this incredible book! For kids who have a favorite teacher that is retiring or moving to a different school can easily relate to the characters in this book. Super Surprise deserves four stars because of its well-developed ideas and characters, which will make you, want to keep reading.

Review written by Katie (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Super Surprise? How would you rate it?

Review: Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen

Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen.

Charlesbridge Publishing
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781580892605

Review: Death, remembrance, and laughter are three words that describe Last Laughs written by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen. Last Laughs is about animals that remember other animals and how they died. After that, they laugh about it.

Here's an example: ÒWin some. Lose some. Venison.Ó From the deer's point of view 'win some' means that the deer avoided the shots from a hunter, and 'lose some' means that sometimes the hunter hits the deer. Venison is deer meat.

There are aspects I like and do not like of this book. What I like is that the epitaphs are funny and they rhyme. The part that I did not like is the main idea because it's all about animals that have died. I like animals, so reading about them dying is sickening to me. If it were up to me, I would recommend this book to 4th graders and up because the vocabulary is hard. I honestly think that 3rd graders would not like to read about dead animals. Last Laughs is not one of my favorite books because I like animals. Some people could find Last Laughs humorous, but I did not. I don't think animal lovers should read Last Laughs.

Review written by Dalton (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Charlesbridge Press for providing a copy of Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs for this review.

Have you read Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs? How would you rate it?

Review: Heart of Stone by M. L. Welsh

Heart of Stone by M. L. Welsh. The Sequel to Mistress of the Storm.

David Fickling Books
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385752435

Review: Do you like books that are suspenseful, mysterious, and thrilling? Then Heart of Stone by M.L. Welsh is the book for you. This book contains it all with the characters of Verity Gallant, Henry Twogood, and Martha Platt. The author creates the suspense that will grab the reader out of their seat. Mysteries are waiting to be uncovered and thrills are trapped in this book seeking a way out. This is the second book in a series; the first is Mistress of the Storm.

Crystal clear waters, nature everywhere, and magic in the air creates the scene where it started, the old town of Wellow. Everyone thinks it's just another normal year at the town of Wellow, but what they don't know is the truth. There is a hidden enemy attacking the town, making sure no good will come out of this year. The only people who know what's happening is Verity Gallant and her friends, Henry, Martha, and the librarian. Will Verity and her friends be able to save Wellow from destruction? Unless the force is acted upon fast enough, there can be no good forever. The kids will have to go back to the beginning and locate the four keepers--- water, fire, wind, and Earth to save the town from total elimination.

Along with the vivid and engaging setting, the characters and relatable and interesting. For example, Verity Gallant is the kind of person who is not self-centered when help is needed. She is in a competition and when a great conflict occurs, instead of trying to win, she helps the people who are in danger. Not only does Verity help the others, but her friends are pitching in too. In addition, she and her friends and her are have differences, but when it come to helping Wellow they worked together as a team. All the characters have mixed personalities which make them unique and interesting. This story is great for everyone it has thrills , action, mystery ....... it creates suspense because you never know what will be discovered next. A memorable quotes are, "It was a scene like a nightmare" and "We have to help" The engaging words create suspense which makes sure the reader never wants to stop reading. I always wanted to know what would happen next . The Heart of Stone deserves 5 stars because I learned life is like a rollercoaster; you never know what comes next, so always be prepared.

Review written by Jill (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Heart of Stone? How would you rate it?

Review: A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan

A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: June 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547668529

Review: Do words like hilarious, unique, and independent describe you? If so, you can relate to Farrah ÒDigitÓ Higgins, a high school student living in L.A. with a bit more than a ÒlittleÓ secret. A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan is an entertaining story that is impossible to put down. It is a book that is like nothing anyone has written before, an amazing tale of a girl overcoming the largest obstacle of her life and helping others in the process.

Farrah ÒDigitÓ Higgins has a huge secret. She has an extraordinary ability to see codes in everyday numbers and detect any imperfect occurrences in everyday objects. She is a genius and sometimes her smarts get in the way. When she unearths something odd going on as she is watching her favorite teen drama show, she doesn't realize that she is solving one of largest FBI cases and relocating criminals part of a world renowned terrorist group. Her excellent clues help a young and attractive FBI Agent get sent to attack the case along with the na•ve young girl, Farrah ÒDigitÓ Higgins.

A Girl Named Digit is a remarkable book including original characters, well-developed and creative ideas and hilarious dialogue. Details are a very important part of this story because if you don't pay attention well, you could easily get lost. But, for a reader who keeps a close eye out for important details, the book read extremely smoothly. A Girl Named Digit includes some mature vocabulary and occasionally includes some mature ideas so I think it would reel in any middle school child or older! This book is very well set up and includes humor, suspense, mystery, romance and action all wrapped into one amazing book. Any pre-teen, teen, or adult can relate to any of the characters' feelings or situation. The author did a spectacular job creating suspense throughout each chapter and ending each one with a cliffhanger. The author also does a magnificent job with realistic humor that is guaranteed to make anyone laugh out loud. An example of this humor is when Farrah cannot distinguish whether she is thinking or actually saying anything, which creates some awkward yet hilarious times. Altogether, A Girl Named Digit is a fabulous book that many people could easily enjoy.

Review written by Savannah (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of A Girl Named Digit for this review.

Have you read A Girl Named Digit? How would you rate it?

Review: Precious Bones by Mika Ashley-Hollinger

Precious Bones by Mika Ashley-Hollinger.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385742191

Review: Fights, southern hospitality, and friendship all describe the book Precious Bones written by Mika Ashley-Hollinger. Precious Bones' main character, Bones, lives in a small town during the summer of '49. Come follow Bones' journey as she goes through love, family, friendship, and most of all heartbreak.

Bones is a 10-year old girl who lives in a swamp within a small town near Jacksonville, Florida. She has a best-friend named Little Man and they love each other very much, you can always tell that he loves Bones because he follows her throughout all of her crazy stunts. Bone's dad is very protective over their land so when two Yankees come onto their property asking a bunch of questions, he chases them off with a pistol. Bone's and her dad run into them again with the Reemses brothers. The next day one of the Yankee men is found dead near their house. Bone's and little man are the people who find him along with a hunting knife that looks exactly like Nolay's. Little Man comforts Bones saying that all of the hunting knives in Florida look a-like. Bones and Little Man go to see one of their friends who is an army veteran, Mr. Speed. Soon another man is found dead and all of the signs point to Bones' dad Nolay. One sign leads to another and they find the killer for the murderÉ Do you think Nolay killed them or did someone else? Precious Bones is an okay book throughout most of itÉ But at the end it felt worth it even with all of the less interesting parts in the book. Mika Ashley-Hollinger drags on through most of the book being very descriptive but boring. Once I got used to the southern accent of the book I seemed to get the book more which cause me to enjoy the book overall. Now if you like the descriptive, southern kind of book, I encourage you, read on! But, if otherwise this book might be a book to skip. The only thing appealing to me throughout Precious Bones is the mystery. Hollinger keeps you guessing so that might be worth reading Precious Bones but it might just be a mystery not worthy to read. I only give Precious Bones 3 stars for the descriptiveness throughout the book but the plot and storyline? Not so muchÉ I also give Hollinger props for the way she makes you feel throughout the book. If Bones is sad, you are sad. You feel everything that the characters feel during the book. I was very disappointed during the book until the end where everything was tied together where I felt was ended perfectlyÉ

Review written by Abby (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of Precious Bones for this review.

Have you read Precious Bones? How would you rate it?

Review: Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave by Deron R. Hicks

Review: Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave by Deron R. Hicks

Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave by Deron R. Hicks.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547840345

Review: Fast paced action, adventure, and mysteries. If you like these kinds of books, you came to the right place. Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave, by Deron R. Hicks is the right book for you. The main character of this spectacular book is Colophon Letterford.

In Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave, a business named Letterford and Sons is burned down. A tall, bald and thin man named Treemont gives Mull Letterford, the father of Colophon until Christmas Eve to get enough money to pay for the failing company. Treemont has always been jealous of Mull's accomplishments and has always wanted to steal the company from him. If Mull cannot get enough money by Christmas Eve, Treemont will take the company over. Colophon tries to save her Dad's business with Julian, Mulls first cousin. In order to save it they become involved in a mystery. When Colophon and Julian solve some of the clues, one of the clues tells them that the next clue is in Stratford-Upon-Avon, which is just outside of London. Colophon's mom is going there anyway to start planning for the Christmas party, so Colophon and Julian will go with her.

While Colophon and Julian are at Stratford-Upon-Avon, Mull Letterford goes to a meeting with an author, Roger Scornsbury. Treemont knows about the meeting so he tries to mess the meeting up and he knows exactly how to do that. Roger has a phobia of balloons and Treemont orders balloons for Roger. Luckily, Case is there to try to stop the people from getting to Roger, but there are too many people delivering the balloons and they get past Case. When the people get the balloons to Roger he freaks out and flees out of the building. Fortunately, he has two more meetings to go to. The next meeting is also with an author, Patrick O'dally.

The strange thing about Patrick O'dally is that he has to have breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same time, at the same table if going out. The problem is that Treemont also knows the author's habit and tries to make Mull late to the meeting. Mull hires someone to clean his shoes and Treemont knows someone who has a chemical to put in the shoes that when the person's feet start to sweat, the shoes will give off a horrible stench. Treemont hires the person to put that chemical in Mull's shoes. When Mull gets the shoes back he thinks he thinks the person did a great job cleaning his shoes. At the hotel they are staying at Mull realizes the time and quickly has to go. While he is rushing to get to the meeting he starts to sweat and the shoes start to stink. When Mull is driving Case notices the smell and dogs are chasing the car. He tells Mull to try to lose them, but can't. They get out of the car and start running. They are not able to lose the dogs and see a boulder. They rush to get up the boulder, but the dogs are able to get up it also. Their only way is to go through a forest. When they get to the restaurant they see Patrick waiting but leaves because they were only a few seconds late. The next author rejects publishing because apparently, someone videotaped their experience and the author saw it.

Colophon and Julian uncover clues about the location of the treasure. They find a key that they believe is for a bank lockbox. Will the key open the box? Will Colophon and Julian find the treasure in time to save the company? If you read this book, you will know all of the answers.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave. I did because I am a person who likes reading mysteries and this is one of my favorite books. It was one of my favorites because it was full of suspense. I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. One thing I wished there would have been was more humor because it would have made the story not as serious. All of the characters were serious. I thought the names of the characters were interesting also. They were not common names. The setting does not really go with the story because the setting was close to Christmas and it is a time when you are happy and it is not supposed to be a sad time. It is not happy when you lose a company. So if you are a person who likes mysteries, you will love this book. To me, this book deserves five stars because the story doesn't slow down or get boring. It gets more and more interesting every page.

Review written by Justin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave for this review.

Have you read Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave? How would you rate it?

Review: Peaceweaver by Rebecca Barnhouse

Peaceweaver by Rebecca Barnhouse. A Companion to The Coming of the Dragon.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375867668

Review: Castles, kings, and townspeople, have you ever dreamed about them when you were little or even now? Peaceweaver by Rebecca Barnhouse is a very exhilarating read. Hild, the main character, is the king's Òsister daughterÓ living a good life. Her daily life is easy. She has been held in high respect until one unconscious decision changes everything. Read how this unintentional decision alters her life forever.

Hild is a good, normal child who has a special chance for great honor. She gets to present the raiding party with curved drinking horn filled with mead a type of liquor. But she doesn't follow the correct steps in presenting it and embarrasses herself. Later she practices sword fighting with her cousin, the prince. During the practice, she has a reaction based on her instincts that changes her life. This causes an unintentional visit to her uncle, the king. He has her kept away in her house until he can decide what to do with her. Once he decides what to do. He summoned her to the hall. Hild is confused when she gets there because everyone is all cheery, even her uncle. What will happen to Hild?

Peaceweaver is one of my all time favorite books! The beginning may be a bit slow for the first section, but it pulls you in pretty quickly. I've easily read it for two to three hours straight. Peaceweaver is captivating if you like adventure. Personally, I think Peaceweaver deserves five stars. I recommend this book as a self-read for kids aging from 10 to 15. If someone a bit younger is interested in this book, they may need some assistance from their parents with the vocabulary. Parents should be warned that there is some violence that is a little graphic. Peaceweaver has so much feeling that if Hild was sad, I was sad. If she felt awkward, then I felt awkward. This book is a must read! I would recommend giving it a chance.

Review written by Karissa (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Peaceweaver? How would you rate it?

Review: A Passion for Victory: The Story of the Olympics in Ancient and Early Modern Times by Benson Bobrick

A Passion for Victory: The Story of the Olympics in Ancient and Early Modern Times by Benson Bobrick.

Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2012
List Price: $19.99
ISBN-13: 9780375868696

Review: Historical, political, and competitive are three words that describe this detailed book written by Benson Bobrick. A Passion for Victory is historical because it covers ancient Greece and ancient Rome and the beginnings of the modern Olympics. A Passion for Victory is about politics because Germany hosted the summer Olympics in 1936. The Nazis were in control of Germany and Adolf Hitler wanted to show off. Germany had the finest Olympic Village and had a brand new stadium built 5 miles from Berlin. A Passion for Victory is also competitive because all the countries that compete in the Olympics try to get the most gold medals. Some countries hate each other so they just try to beat each other.

Ancient Greece started the Olympics as a peaceful contest between two rival city -states called Athens and Sparta. There was only one event, the two hundred yard foot race. Ancient Rome soon took over Greece and the first Olympics under Roman control occurred. Runners eventually ran naked because they believed that you would run faster naked because the clothes back then acted like a parachute. The Olympics added more events like long jump, javelin throw, discus, boxing, and wrestling. In 680 B.C. a chariot race was added in. Thanks to the Olympics, other sport championships were founded, these championships are, tennis opens, World Cup soccer tournaments, and Super Bowls. In 328 B.C. a man named Aegus won a two and one-fourth mile race and then ran sixty miles away to his home to tell everyone that he won. In 67 A.D. emperor Nero joined a chariot race and fell off in the beginning, but, bribed the judges to let him win. In 1912 a dominating American, Jim Thrope won many events, pole vault, long jump, and the discus throwing in the Olympics. In 1936 the summer Olympics were held at Berlin, Germany. Hitler was in charge of Germany by then. A new stadium was built along with a new Olympic village. Some Americans wanted to boycott because of the Nazi regime. Jessie Owens, a black runner for the U.S., dominated the 'white men races' according to Hitler. Jessie Owens performed so amazingly, that Adolf Hitler was embarrassed.

There are parts I like and do not like about A Passion for Victory. The good things are learning about the history of the Olympics and learning about sports. I enjoyed learning facts such as ÒIn 328 B.C., a man named Aegus won a 2 _ mile race, and then ran to his home, 60 miles away. He wanted to tell everyone what he had done. Then shortly after he got home, he died.Ó I also enjoyed learning about methods they used in their athletic events, such as ÒTo throw a discus an athlete has to put a discus under his/her forearm. An athlete put his/her fingers under the discus.Ó It tells you how to ride a chariot because it says ÒTo ride a chariot the rider has to hold on to all of the reins of the horses on your 'team'.Ó However, some parts are confusing because it says that a man named Aegus ran to his home 60 miles away. But my parents say that someone ran to tell people that someone else won, or, that someone ran to tell everyone that someone won a war. It just isn't consistent with other stories I've heard. I recommend A Passion for Victory to 4th grade up kids who like sports (probably boys) because younger readers might struggle with the vocabulary and information. Overall, A Passion for Victory is a well-rounded book, so I applaud the author.

Review written by Dalton (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of A Passion for Victory: The Story of the Olympics in Ancient and Early Modern Times for this review.

Have you read A Passion for Victory: The Story of the Olympics in Ancient and Early Modern Times? How would you rate it?

Review: His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II by Louise Borden

His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II by Louise Borden.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780618507559

Review: Would you be willing to stare death in the face to save somebody you didn't know? Raoul Wallenberg has done this every day of his life in Hungary during World War Two. In the book His Name was Raoul Wallenberg Louise Borden tells a great story of this hero,

Raoul was born in August 1912, near Stockholm, Sweden. Because his father died from cancer before Raoul was born, his grandfather became his mentor. Gustaf Oscar Wallenberg was a man of bold ideas. From an early age, Raoul liked to read and draw and through that his parents discovered that he was colorblind. Raoul Wallenberg stood apart from his classmates because of his curiosity. His grandfather wanted him to become an independent citizen of the world so Raoul traveled to Turkey, England, and France, and found his talent for languages. Raoul studied architecture at the University of Michigan, discovering his talent in that too. After graduation, he traveled to South Africa, Palestine, Genoa, France, Athens, Egypt, and Haifa. When WWII's first shots were fired, Raoul was working in an import-export business. The War Refugee Board wanted a courageous man who spoke German or Hungarian and had been to Budapest to organize help for the Jewish people in Budapest. Raoul was the man for this job. To find out what happens to Raoul in his conquest to save the Jews, you should read this book.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5 because I generally like stories about wars. Even though I knew that Raoul's fate has not been found, I was still disappointed to be in the dark about his death, which made this 1 star short of perfect. Students 8 years old and older will enjoy reading His Name was Raoul Wallenberg, especially if they enjoy war stories. Louise Borden sets up the text of His Name was Raoul Wallenberg almost like a poem which adds a touch of creativity and breaks the text into easier to read phrases. Louise Borden included fascinating facts, like "he was given no clear instructions... and no one really knew how or if he could succeed." A task is hard enough when you are given specific instructions, even harder if you don't know what to do. Raoul had the creativity to make the schutzpass, a fancy document used to put Jews under the protection of the Swedish government. Reading this book made me want to meet Raoul Wallenberg because he was courageous, even though he had a disability, color blindness. He was as cunning as a fox in tricking his foes and he was brave to ignore the consequences of being caught helping to save thousands of Jewish lives. If you read this book, you may be able to come up with a theory of Raoul's outcome but I'm sure you'll be impressed with this detailed account of this World War II hero's life.

Review written by Ian (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II for this review.

Have you read His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II? How would you rate it?

Review: The Twinning Project by Robert Lipsyte

The Twinning Project by Robert Lipsyte.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547645711

Review: Have you ever wondered about the stories your parents told you? The ones where they told you about aliens? Did you laugh about them and think they were all a joke? The way you laughed at them will change after reading The Twinning Project! This story will make you question your doubts about aliens. Robert Lipstyle takes you on an adventure to a distant planet called Earth2 where two boys realize that they are twins, but they have been living worlds apart.

The story begins on Earth, with Tom, a boy who doesn't play by the rules of his school. When he is told to do something, he does not do it if he thinks it is stupid. After being expelled, Tom has to attend a new school, where he meets Alessa, a girl who is constantly being picked on by Britsky. Tom protects her from Britsky, the school bully, by using the same arsenal of weapons that got him expelled from his previous school. He is a one man war machine with all his gadgets, including a grease gun and a sling shot.

On Earth2 everything is set back 50 years in the past. There, Eddie, the twin brother of Tom, is living the good life of being a jock at his school. Eddie is just one minute younger than Tom, but he is the exact opposite, of Tom. Eddie loves sports, but Tom hates them. Tom is sneaky, but Eddie is honest. He follows the rules and always does what he is told to do. Nothing out of the ordinary happens except that both boys are able to chat mentally with each other. One day, Tom and Eddie discover each other in Tom's room on Earth.

Tom suspects weird activity is going on all around him, when, all of a sudden, the boys' grandpa says that the monitors or aliens have landed. Grandpa tells Tom to switch places with Eddie on Earth2. Then, two monitors, Dr.Traum and Merlyn show up. Although, they act just like humans, they both have green eyes that are used as a camera to show other monitors at home-base what is happening with Tom and Eddie on Earth and Earth2. Things get extremely complicated when Dr. Traum starts asking questions about Eddie. Both boys are having trouble adjusting to the new environment. What happens with Eddie? How will Tom and Eddie survive the monitors? Read Robert Lipstyle's The Twinning Project in order to find out.

In The Twinning Project I liked how the aliens are realistic and the characters are really believable. I had a clear image of the interactions between the aliens and the characters. The plot and characters are very descriptive and the author's writing style was full of action. However, there are some unrealistic parts to the plot. Many well-developed ideas by the author caused the reader to actually feel the adrenaline while reading. The story is completely action packed with a side of humor. Robert Lipstyle shows different perspectives by switching from one character's point of view to another's point of view throughout the story. This really helped me understand what was going on in the story since it took place on two planets. The plot is so suspenseful that, at times, I couldn't put the book down. I really enjoyed the ending. It is very satisfying for me, because I could imagine things that would really take place here on Earth. I look forward to more of Robert Lipstyle's books. You should add this unique sci-fi fiction themed book to your reading list!

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Twinning Project for this review.

Have you read The Twinning Project? How would you rate it?

Review: Diva by Jillian Larkin

Diva by Jillian Larkin. The Conclusion to the Flappers Series.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385740418

Review: Humor, romance, and mystery are hiding in the 1920's New York, and also in the latest book in the Flappers series, Diva by Jillian Larkin. This story has all the main components needed in a romance novel. You'll fall in love with flappers Clara Knowles, Lorraine Dyer, and Gloria Carmody. These 3 glamorous women try to pull off one of their biggest over the top schemes yet.

Clara Knowles recently broke up with her handsome, charming and rich boyfriend, the love of her life, Marcus Eastman. Now he is already engaged to another young woman! Since Clara can't have her happily ever after, the least she can do is stop Marcus from marrying someone who isn't what he thinks she is. Clara wonders and questions Marcus's faith in her. After all, she lied to him countless times. Even worse, she can't stand her boss who keeps flirting with her, and her disgusting job of writing about celebrity gossip. Clara Knowles is going to have work with what she has, and somehow save Marcus.

Gloria Carmody was in jail for loving an African American and for killing a man who was about to shoot the love of her life, Jerome Johnson. Gloria is looking for help to get out of jail and get justice from her cousin, Clara Knowles. Now, Gloria has to work for the FBI to get back together with Jerome. A simple task from the FBI is making her life more difficult. More importantly, she wonders if she will ever see Jerome again.

Lorraine Dyer is cleaning up her act, turning over a new leaf. She attends a university across from the university where blonde and perfect Marcus Eastman lives. Normally, Lorraine Dyer would be staring holes into Marcus Eastman, but she decides that she will get to the bottom of things with Marcus's shady but gorgeous fiancŽe, Anastasia. There is only one problem with her figuring out Marcus's case, and it involves two people, Clara Knowles and Gloria Carmody.

Diva by Jillian Larkin is an entertaining book, focusing on each young woman's main problem and winding the three women and their problems together beautifully. Though I am not fond of or avid reader of romance novels, Diva still met my expectations. Jillian Larkin balanced the elements and made the reader want to keep reading to quickly find out what was going to happen next. No book can be perfect, and the only downfall to this book is the clichŽs. They kept reappearing throughout the story. For example, the characters act without thought, and their actions are a little too exaggerated. Yet I couldn't stop reading this compelling novel, Diva.

In conclusion, if you decide to read Jillian Larkin's, Diva, which I highly recommend, you will be lost amongst the maze of pages that submerge you in 1920's New York, ÒWhere love is hiding in every corner, music is thriving in every club, and, of course, anything goesÓ.

Review written by Sachi (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Diva? How would you rate it?

Review: White House Kids by Joe Rhatigan

White House Kids by Joe Rhatigan.

Imagine Publishing
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $14.95
ISBN-13: 9781936140800

Review: "Everyone who lives in the White House to some degree feels like they are living in a goldfish bowl," said Luci Johnson, daughter of Lyndon B. Johnson. White House Kids by Joe Rhatigan is full of quotes like this, along with educational and entertaining facts about the sons, daughters, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews of the American presidents.

White House Kids includes four chapters. The first covers the first kids who lived in the White House, which is about the earliest presidents' kids. The second chapter is about media coverage and people's interest in the kids and First Ladies. As far back as the 1790s, a newspaper reports that Nelly and Little Wash, the Washingtons' grandchildren, went to a circus. After President Obama's inauguration, many people searched for coats just like the ones Malia and Sasha wore that day. Chapter three is about the fun that kids have in the White House. Many presidents' kids had lots of pets. Teddy Roosevelt's children had badgers, raccoons, pigs, parrots, baby bears, snakes, a one-legged rooster, and a kangaroo rabbit, among others. Chapter four is about the positives and negatives of living in the White House. Positives include not having to do chores; negatives include having Secret Service agents wherever you go.

People who like history and presidents and want to learn more about them and their families would like this book. Another thing I liked was the format of the book because it has extra facts about the First Ladies and what happened to the children after they left the White House. The many photos and pictures helped me understand some of the stories. I also liked the book because it was entertaining, and I learned something too. Having four chapters worked well for the organization of the book. I wanted to keep reading even though the book ended. White House Kids was one of the best books I've read about the U.S. presidents. I would give the book four stars out of five because I like the format of the book and it covers lots of families who made the White House their home.

Review written by Luke (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Charlesbridge Press for providing a copy of White House Kids for this review.

Have you read White House Kids? How would you rate it?

Review: Dead is a Killer Tune by Marlene Perez

Dead is a Killer Tune by Marlene Perez. A Dead Is Book.

Houghton Mifflin Children's Paperback
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $7.99
ISBN-13: 9780547608341

Review: Dead is a Killer Tune by Marlene Perez is the seventh book in the Dead is series. The series is about a freshman in high school, Jessica Walsh, who is also a virago, a female warrior. She must protect her hometown, in this case Nightshade, from danger.

Nightshade has different magical creatures such as werewolves and witches. At an estate sale in Nightshade, Jessica is looking for sheet music when a priceless flute is stolen. There are rumors that the flute belonged to the Pied Piper of Hamelin who led rats out of the city of Hamelin. When the city did not pay the Pied Piper, he lured away all the city's children. Soon after the rumors begin, a competition is being held at Nightshade called Battle of the Bands. As the competition gets closer to the end, some of the musicians start doing fatal things and claim they are compelled to do these things because of strange music they hear. Will Jessica and the rest of Nightshade's viragos be able to track them down?

All of the characters in Dead is a Killer Tune are very unique. For example, Jessica's best friend, Eva, loves horror movies and plans on making her own. Jessica's older brother, Sean, is a werewolf currently in college. Harmony is an interesting character who manages to get into difficult situations. Marlene Perez created suspense so that I couldn't put the book down. Overall, this book was very interesting and exciting and it is a great read for mystery and adventure fans.

Review written by Kyle (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Dead is a Killer Tune for this review.

Have you read Dead is a Killer Tune? How would you rate it?

Review: The Witch's Revenge by D. A. Nelson

The Witch's Revenge by D. A. Nelson.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385736312

Review: Flash! Poof! Zap! The Witch's Revenge is by D.A. Nelson is a fantasy book with talking dragons, rats and birds, wizards and witches.

In the story, Morag, a little girl, is having nightmares about Mephista, the witch, and her father, the Devlish, coming back to get her. So her friends Shona the dragon, Aldiss the rat, and Bertie the dodo bird try and help her. They think a visit to Montgomery the wizard could help her. As soon as they arrive they find the wizard in a strange state, staring at a tiny black tornado forming above him. Then, all of a sudden, he is sucked in to a mini-tornado. So Morag and her friends set out to find Montgomery. Soon they find out the only way to find their friend is to travel to the Dark Isle. Shortly after, they realize that they have to travel to the Dark Isles by boat. So they find a friend, Kyle, who has a boat. Quickly Morag finds out that Mephista wants to bring the Devlish, her father, back to life. Morag runs into a multitude of problems that put her life in danger.

The Witch's Revenge is a great book for all ages. I would rate this book four stars because the beginning is somewhat confusing, but the middle and the end of the book are great. After I read the beginning, I couldn't put the book down. I was on the edge of my seat! This book has suspense from the middle to the end. I was continually concerned for Morag, wondering what tragedy or calamity would happen next! All the characters are different and interesting, For example, Shona, the dragon, is scared when to stand up to people alone, but when one of her friends were in danger, she is confident and forceful. Aldiss the rat is always nervous, but he likes to lead the way. Bertie the dodo bird is rarely scared unless his life is in danger. Lastly, Morag is brave and scared when a normal person would be. I think that everyone who reads this book could relate to at least one of the characters in the book. The title, The Witch's Revenge, makes sense because Mephista is coming back for revenge on Morag. If you read this book you will not be sorry!

Review written by Katie (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Witch's Revenge for this review.

Have you read The Witch's Revenge? How would you rate it?

Review: Alice-Miranda on Vacation by Jacqueline Harvey

Alice-Miranda on Vacation by Jacqueline Harvey. An Alice-Miranda Book.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2012
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9780385739955

Review: The wondrous tale of Alice-Miranda on Vacation by Jacqueline Harvey is full of adventure, mischief, and just a hint of romance, all turning out as a dastardly scheme. The main character, Alice-Miranda is an outgoing 7 year old coming home for the holidays after a long first term at her boarding school. She may have a more exciting trip home than she has ever expected.

Alice-Miranda is thrilled to finally see her mother, Cecelia Highton-Smith, and spend the holidays with her best friend, Jacinta Headlington-Bear, after a long school term. Once she gets home, she visits everyone she had dearly missed including Mrs. Oliver and Shilly, both cooks and cleaners in large mansion where Alice lives. Her father also arrives home and greets her daughter. The next few days, Alice and Jacinta visited Alice's 2 cousins, Poppy and Jasper. Apparently, a rude boy by the name of Lucas had been staying with Poppy and Jasper, and Jacinta and Alice tried to find out more about him. There was eventually a surprise party for Alice's dear Aunt Charlotte, the girlfriend of the charming Lawrence Ridley in the mansion. An incident occurred on the night of the party when Mrs. Oliver took Aunty Gee, the Queen, into Mrs. Oliver's lab where she kept all her inventions and the most important formula to the FDF or Freeze-Dried Foods. Mrs. Oliver went out of the lab for a split second to grab the key to her invention but it was too lateÉAunty Gee had disappeared. She was taken by two strange men who wanted the formula to the FDF. The men meant to take Mrs. Oliver for the formula, but instead they took the Queen! Everyone was worried sick as to whether they would ever see dear Aunty Gee again. As the mystery continues, everyone wonders if Aunty Gee will eve be found!?!

Alice-Miranda on Vacation is a book that will leave readers in suspense. The descriptive setting of this story helped me create a mental picture. An example of the detail is found in the author's quote describing Alice's home, ÒA grand Georgian mansion set over four levels, including a labyrinth of cellars, Highton Hall sat atop a rise in the middle of a vast six-thousand-hectare estate.Ó I think readers can relate to the characters in the story; Alice is a very kind, adventurous girl who loves to just get into things! Jacinta is very kind and polite, but she is more cautious and not as mischievous as Alice! In my opinion, this book would appeal to a younger audience looking for a mystery and just an enjoyable read! The beginning is slow moving, but once you progress beyond the exposition, this story will definitely keep you in suspense. At a point when Mrs. Oliver was searching for Aunty Gee in the lab and found a strange clue, the author writes, ÓMrs. Oliver spied something under the bench. It was a white cloth- and not one she recognized. Oh no! Mrs. Oliver dropped the cloth and exhaled. I hope this isn't what I think it is. Hugh walked over to inspect it. What do you think it is? Chloroform, Mrs. Oliver replied.Ó I would give the selection Alice-Miranda on Vacation 4 stars for an intriguing end, descriptive characters, and a thrilling plot!

Review written by Jillian (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Alice-Miranda on Vacation for this review.

Have you read Alice-Miranda on Vacation? How would you rate it?

Review: Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi

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Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi.

Charlesbridge Publishing
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781580894340

Review: Do you like reading? If you do, then you might like the book, Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi. It is the story of two distant families that have not seen each other for 12 years, until now.

Sorano, a 12-year-old girl who goes by the name of Skye, has had a great American style life. She attends school, has friends, and is even on a soccer team, but now she gets the news that she is able to join the All-Stars soccer team. Hiroshi, a 12-year-old boy who lives in Japan, is Skye's cousin. He is on summer break for school. So with his free time he flies his dragon kite. But not just for fun, for practicing because he is has registered for the annual kite championship. So these two kids are happy with what they are doing, but they don't know that that could all change. It changes because as Grandpa living in Japan grew older, he becomes so sick. The doctors said that they couldn't do anything to help. The Japanese doctors find help for Grandpa, but it is in America. So that means Hiroshi has to go too. In America, Skye is doing better than ever in soccer. When the news comes that Hiroshi's family is coming to America, she is ok with it until her parents tell her she would have to take Japanese classes to be able to talk to them. As Skye and Hiroshi get to know each other, they become good friends, but will they get to follow their individual dreams?

In my opinion, Flying the Dragon is entertaining and balances the action and events. This story has many messages about life, such as how life has ups and downs. Also, the book shows the reader that the downs in life can result in great friendships. I recommend this book for teens that enjoy realistic fiction.

Review written by Andy (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Charlesbridge Publishing for providing a copy of Flying the Dragon for this review.

Have you read Flying the Dragon? How would you rate it?

Review: The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle.

Graphia
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $8.99
ISBN-13: 9780547859262

Review: With the darkness coming, an Amish community is the last safe place on Earth. This is the storyline for the horrifying, action packed novel, The Hallowed Ones, written by Laura Bickle.

Katie is days away from her Rumspringa, the time when an Amish teen gets to experience the outside world. Then disaster hits when a helicopter crashes lands in the middle of a cornfield. News spreads that there are mass killings of people around the world. There is something out there. The Amish elders decree that no one comes in and no one goes out. When Katie finds a seriously injured man in the field, she doesn't listen to the rule, and secretly brings him to the community, but what else is she bringing with him?

The Hallowed Ones is amazing because it will fill you with suspense and at the same time, maintain a good pace from scene to scene. The style of writing is unique, very original, and very descriptive making you read on. The characters are very well developed, interesting and believable. The most memorable part cannot be revealed in this review! It will shock you. If you like action and adventure you have to read this book it will surprise you with its content. On the other hand, the beginning lacks action; the majority of the action is towards the end. However, once you get past the beginning there is nothing but exciting exploration. If you read this book, you have to be prepared to read a few boring parts, but then the adventure awaits you!

Review written by Gianni (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Hallowed Ones for this review.

Have you read The Hallowed Ones? How would you rate it?