Review: City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Books of Ember Series.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780375868214

Review: Imagine living in a city, not knowing where you are, but only knowing that something is not right. The City of Ember, The Graphic Novel by Jeanne Duprau is a great book that is filled with mystery and excitement. In this story, it is said that the city of Ember is the only light in a dark world, but when the lamps that keep Ember lit start to flicker it is up to Lina and Doon to decipher the code in order to find the way out of Ember.

Lina lives with only her grandmother and little sister. But lately her grandmother has not been feeling well. She suffers from short term memory loss and when Lina comes home one day, her grandmother is found scrambling around the little apartment, murmuring about how she needs to find something. When they do find it, they find it in her little sister Poppy's mouth. It seems to be some sort of mysterious document that they believe can hold the answer. Not only are the lights flickering but supplies are also running low and everyone believes that the mayor is behind it. In this story everyone is depending on Lina and Doon to find the way out of Ember before it is too late.

If you have read the City of Ember then I highly recommend you read The City of Ember, The Graphic Novel but if you haven't, I still think you are in for a treat. I think that this book is very inspirational to younger kids because it lets them know that even though they are young and aren't always expected to make a difference that it doesn't mean that you shouldn't try. I also think that if you are the type of person who just loves a good heartwarming mystery then you will love this book. I rate The City of Ember, The Graphic Novel 5 stars for the way it captivates the reader and feels like it takes the original book and brings it to life.

Review written by Lauren (6th grade student).

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

Have you read City of Ember? How would you rate it?

Review: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385742016

Review: Do you love a book about mermaids, love, and family? Well if you do then Lies Beneath is the best book for you. These characters are Maris, Pavati, Tallulah, Calder, and Lily.

Calder, Maris, Pavati, and Tallulah are all mermaids and they are family, none of them have the same fathers. Calder doesn't have the same mother or father as the girls do because their mother restarted his heart when he was little when he fell into the water and drowned. This is how he became a mermaid that was one of the ways to become a mermaid. Lily is Mr. Hancock's daughter. Calder and his family are trying to kill Mr. Hancock because his father killed their mother. Mr. Hancock's father promised his sons life but instead he drives away. So Calder's mother follows them she got caught in a fishing net. When Calder meets Lily he falls in love with her. So he follows her everywhere and makes sure she is safe from his own sisters because they will kill her instead of her father.

This book is an amazing story about a merman and a human's life together. Lies Beneath made me almost cry because Calder is trying to protect Lily but Maris didn't want him to get close to her. I felt so sad for Calder because he loves Lily but he didn't think she loves him. I love the part when Calder goes to Mr. Hancock's bon fire and Lily is standing really close to Calder. When he has to leave, she gets really sad. That showed me that she really does like him. She even wants him to turn her into a mermaid so they can stay together forever. I love how the author uses so many emotions in this story. She uses love, anger, sadness, and many more feeling to describe the setting, characters, and the whole book. The characters are so realistic that you believe that they could actually be real people. If you read this you would probably think this is a really good book to read. I would recommend Lies Beneath to all of my friends because it is a perfect book for anyone.

Review written by Skyler (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Lies Beneath? How would you rate it?

Review: Immortal Lycanthropes by Hal Johnson

Immortal Lycanthropes by Hal Johnson.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547751962

Review: Do you like books full of adventure? Well if you do you would probably like the book Immortal Lycanthropes by Hal Johnson. The main character is named Myron who is said to be ugly but he possesses the power to turn into an animal and is immortal. Another main character is a girl named Alice who is just like Myron when it comes to being immortal and turning into a animal.

The book is about a boy named Myron that doesn't know that he is immortal until a girl named Alice tells him that he is. Along with telling him that he is immortal, she tells him that he will stay the same height, same age, and will never hit puberty like every one else in the world. After they talk about his new discovery about himself, she says that he needs training, so she knocks Myron out and leaves him in a ditch. When he wakes up, he meets Mr. Rodrigues who helps Myron out of the ditch, while making him drink fruit juice and aspirin to ease his pain. But after he heals, he finds Benson who is the villain of the story and is like Myron. They meet on the railroad tracks where Myron is still really hurt. With all of the obstacles in his path, what is in store for Myron and will he ever be the same again?

In conclusion, I would say this was a good book over all mostly because of the story's suspense. But even with suspense, I would say this books ending could use some work because it didn't tell me what happened to Myron and the rest of the characters. It certainly leaves the book open to a sequel. Overall, I seriously recommend Immortal Lycanthropes to anyone that likes a good adventure.

Review written by Eric (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for providing a copy of Immortal Lycanthropes for this review.

Have you read Immortal Lycanthropes? How would you rate it?

Review: The Candy Smash by Jacqueline Davies

The Candy Smash by Jacqueline Davies. A Lemonade War Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780544022089

Review: Are you the kind of person who dives right into an amazing book about Valentine's Day and love? Well, if so, The Candy Smash by Jacqueline Davies is the book for you! As you are reading you will witness the secrets unveil in Mrs. Overton's class about love with the help of Jessie and Evan Treski.

Jessie and Evan Treski are brother and sister and in Mrs. Overton's class together. Jessie writes the newspaper for class 4-O, and she wants to create a blockbuster newspaper in time for Valentines Day. But when Jessie starts breaking rules and taking things people want to be kept as secrets, for example a love poem Evan has written for someone things get out of hand! In the new edition of The 4-O Forum Jessie will be spilling secrets about who likes who, along with poems that people have written. Lastly, the new edition will reveal the person who puts the mysterious candy hearts in their desks. Who will it be?

The Candy Smash has original characters that made me want to keep reading. It is an educational book, but is also exciting! At the beginning of each chapter the author writes the definition of a poetry term, but the author also puts in some pictures so you can imagine what is going on in the story! This book is appropriate for all audiences but, someone who has a crush will probably appreciate the well-developed ideas of this outstanding book! For someone who is having trouble with a crush, or is being teased for liking someone they will be able to relate to this story better, and may even learn how to deal with it. The Candy Smash deserves five stars because the writing style is lively and full of action, which will make you want to keep reading!

Review written by Katie (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Candy Smash? How would you rate it?

Review: Fury's Fire by Lisa Papademetriou

Fury's Fire by Lisa Papademetriou. The Sequel to Siren's Storm.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375868627

Review: Have you read Fury's Fire yet? If you haven't read an engaging book lately, this is the book for you. Fury's Fire is written by Lisa Papademetriou, and it is a sequel to Siren's Storm. Fury's Fire is book number 2 in the Sirens series.

Gretchen and Will, great friends, have just begun their senior year of high school in Walfang. Gretchen doesn't remember the events of ÒSiren's Storm,Ó but Will does. Gretchen had saved their lives, but now she doesn't understand what is going on. She is trying to focus on fitting in at her new school. She also keeps having weird dreams. The only people who can help her are Kirk, a boy who had a nervous breakdown, and Mafer, a girl who is thought to be a witch. What will happen next?

In my opinion, Fury's Fire is more suitable for teens than adolescents because there were a couple of inappropriate words in the book. What I liked about Fury's Fire is that it had a lot of suspense, which made me want to read more. Also, there is a twist in the story that you will not see coming. What I didn't enjoy is that the plot was kind of confusing to me. Also, I think that you would have to read Siren's Storm to understand Fury's Fire since it is a sequel. I recommend Fury's Fire to teens because it has an interesting plot. Once start reading the book, you can't stop!

Review written by Jessica (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Fury's Fire for this review.

Have you read Fury's Fire? How would you rate it?

Review: Island of Doom by Arthur Slade

Island of Doom by Arthur Slade. The Final Installment in The Hunchback Assignments Series.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385737876

Review: The Island of Doom, written by Arthur Slade and with your favorite character, Modo is the fourth book in The Hunchback series, as well.

In the fourth (and maybe final) book of the series, Modo continues to try to track down his parents, while also continuing fighting the Clockwork Guild, a horrible ÒkingdomÓ of monster-makers. Old friends and enemies return to either aid Modo..... or the Clockwork Guild. As usual, Octavia (his almost-wife mate) is there to fight with him, with even a few tricks of her own!

What I liked was the action, the details, and the allusions. The action was very fast-paced and detailed. In my mind, I could imagine the whole battle: Their faces, feelings, and weapons. Next, it's the details. There are so many details that it's like watching a movie in 1080p HD! Every feeling, action, and point of view you can see and feel like you saw it. (For example, "as he lunged; it was as though a mountain falling toward her." This shows how heavy the monster was and how heavy the force is. It's also an example of a simile.)

Last but not least, are the allusions. If you don't know what they are, they're references to other books or stories. Sometimes, the main character will note that it's a reference themselves! (For example, "Do you remember who Typhon was? "Typhon was the name of a Greek god of monsters." This is an example of an allusion.)

I recommend this book for audiences 10 years or older, as its words are complicated and some of its details might be somewhat gory.

Review written by David (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Island of Doom? How would you rate it?

Review: What Came From the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt

What Came From the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547612133

Review: Can Tommy Pepper save a planet's last hope or his own? Read What Came from the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt to find out.

Tommy Pepper is in the 6th grade at William Bradford Elementary School in Plymouth, Massachusetts when he receives a green and silver necklace. Strange things begin to happen to Tommy and the people of Plymouth. Tommy's mother has died, and the necklace he received brings back memories of his mom. The chain is from a planet called Valorim, and it has special powers. Unfortunately, Lord Mondus is seeking the necklace, and he will stop at nothing to get it.

In my opinion, What Came from the Stars is an average book. There were a few suspenseful parts, and I enjoyed the storyline, but there was not enough action to suit me. I prefer less dialogue and more thrilling events. If you like books about special powers, you may appreciate this book. Check it out the next time you visit the library.

Review written by Jacob (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for providing a copy of What Came From the Stars for this review.

Have you read What Came From the Stars? How would you rate it?

Review: May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose.

Schwartz & Wade Books
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9781582463933

Review: "I don't want to leave!" said Mavis Betterly."It's only until Christmas," answered her mom. May Betts, a young girl, has to live with strangers for six months because it will help her family bring in a few extra dollars. May B., a novel by Caroline Starr Rose is a fascinating cliffhanger that kept me flipping the pages! Keep reading to find out more!

In this story, a young girl has to live with strangers, the Oblingers, who live about six miles away from her home. This story is set in the 1900s, and back then six miles was a considerable distance. When May arrives, she longs for home. She views the Soddy, a home made out of soil used in the old times, and she knows that the Oblingers are new to the prairie life. Upon meeting Mrs. Oblinger, she hates her right at that moment. As the story goes on, Mrs. Oblinger decides to return to her former home because she can't stand this Òawful lifestyle." Mr. Oblinger goes after her and leaves May all by herself. She waits and waits. Days pass, weeks pass, until one day a blizzard comes. Snow is piled around the Soddy, including around the door. May is stuck inside with only one apple and a pie. One day, May B. hears a sound at the door. She realizes it is a hungry wolf. Will May survive? Will anyone find her?

I couldn't take my nose out of this book! If you like suspense and adventure, this book is perfect for you! Caroline Starr Rose is an amazing new author that keeps me engaged and surprised. Without food or hope, and with danger lurking outside, what will happen to May B.? I recommend stopping at a library and checking out this book! It was perfect!

Review written by Monica (6th grade student).

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

Have you read May B.? How would you rate it?

Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375866562

Review: Seraphina is a good young adult fantasy book written by Rachel Hartman. It is appropriate for ages twelve and up. The story focuses on Seraphina Dombergh, who is a very talented musician that has a secret she is desperate to keep. Although it is not clear if this book will become a series, after reading the book it is really hard to believe that the story won't be continued in a second book.

This book is about a world where humans and dragons are trying to live together in peace. Dragons can change into human form called their saarantras so they don't scare the humans. In truth though, the humans don't trust the dragons, the dragons who are very mathematical, feel that humans are weak because of their emotions, but are amazed by their music and art. Shortly after Seraphina starts her job as assistant music mistress at the palace, a member of the royal family is killed and it seems to be the work of a dragon. Seraphina, along with Prince Lucian Kiggs, the captain of the palace guards, work to figure out the truth behind the murder. Meanwhile Serephina finds herself trapped by her secret and fears that in solving the murder, the truth about her might come out. She has spent her life trying to conceal the fact that she is a half-dragon. People like her are not supposed to exist and she lives in fear of what may happen if anyone were to find out.

Although I really did enjoy this book, there were a couple of things that I didn't like. First, the beginning of the book is difficult to get through because the story moves very slowly. Due to the premise of the book, a lot of background and explanation has to be done before the actual story can get underway. I also had a hard time with some of the big vocabulary words in the story. I think it is necessary to have a dictionary nearby while reading this book.

Overall, though, I really liked this book. The premise behind it is fascinating and I thought it was very suspenseful. About halfway through the book, I found it extremely hard to put the book down. The characters are well developed and entertaining. I said before that it is hard to believe that the story won't be continued in a second book and that is because the reader really becomes attached to the characters. After I finished the book, I found myself wondering what the future held for Seraphina and I imagine most readers would feel the same way. I think a second book is almost a necessity.

Review written by Justin (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Seraphina? How would you rate it?

Review: Moon Pie by Simon Mason

Moon Pie by Simon Mason.

David Fickling Books
Publication Date: November 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385752350

Review: Do you like edgy, new, and fascinating books? Well Moon Pie would probably interest you! This book is family-friendly, modern, sometimes even sad, but mostly very funny! This book is filled with dreams, and being true to yourself. Simon Mason has written another amazing book!

Eleven-year-old Martha lost her mother. Now she is in charge of everyone because she is the lady in charge in the house. Soon after her mother's death, Martha's father started acting weird. He fell off of a roof, went to the doctor, and he didn't come back that night. It was up to Martha to make her baby brother, Tug's, favorite pie that night. Later, they went to visit Marcus, a friend that is in love with Hollywood and everything about it. Marcus makes a nice jacket for Martha, but for some unknown reason, she hates it, even though she personalizes it. Something gets Martha in a mood! She starts having many tasks that keep getting harder and harder. Martha would like to solve almost all of her problems by baking some delicious pies.

In my opinion, Moon Pie is a brilliant book. It has many descriptive scenes and in interesting ways the book comes alive. If you don't like it at first, I bet that after 50 pages, you will love it as much as I do! Moon Pie contains many spectacular details and it is written beautifully! The plot of this story is so interesting, that I wanted to keep reading and reading. The characters were also so fabulous and entertaining! This story makes a lot of sense and is an interesting read for people that are fascinated by action-packed books! Go to a library and check it out now!

Review written by Caroline (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Moon Pie? How would you rate it?

Review: Laugh With the Moon by Shana Burg

Laugh With the Moon by Shana Burg.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385734714

Review: Clare wished she were anywhere else in the world than an African village, with no friends, no pizza, no phone reception, or any of the comforts of her home, smack dab in the middle of nowhere. In Laugh with the Moon by Shana Burg, Clare's dad is a doctor, and when he packs up to travel away from everything Clare has ever known, she has to come along.

In Laugh with the Moon, we learn that Clare has been through multiple hardships in her life, as her mother has recently passed away. Going to an African village isn't exactly the vacation of choice. When Clare arrives at the little African village where she will be staying, Clare's dad introduces her to an orphan girl named Memory. Memory knows what it's like to lose loved ones, though Clare is not ready to talk about her mother. She doesn't fit in at her new school, but that's where she meets new friends. When Clare's friends decide to show her the beautiful beach, they set out. However, the trip is not as they had expected, and when Clare finds her heart broken once again, she turn to Memory who is also hurting. Read this story to find out what happens next as the two girls deal with the hurt that life has thrust upon them. Laugh With The Moon is a vividly detailed book that shows emotions and characteristics that make the reader feel like they are in the story. When the characters cry, the readers' hearts will swell with emotion. When the characters laugh, the readers will smile. The characters seem realistic, and when the readers finish the book, they will feel like they actually know the characters. The plot was never boring or tiring, and nothing went on for too long. Although, I would have liked more suspense, the story was overall exciting. As I read the story, I was never confused; I felt like the background of each of the characters was explained. In conclusion, Laugh With The Moon is a well developed, clever, and colorfully written book, that is appropriate for people that like heartwarming stories about love, loss, and the power of friendship.

Review written by Krista (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Laugh With the Moon for this review.

Have you read Laugh With the Moon? How would you rate it?

Review: Racing the Moon by Alan Armstrong

Racing the Moon by Alan Armstrong.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375858895

Review: Have you ever snuck into a very heavily guarded rocket building facility? Have you tried to fly a plane and crashed into a river? You will want to read about the adventures of Alex and her brother Chuck in Racing the Moon by Alan Armstrong.

Alex is an adventurous and daring young girl, and she has a brother named Chuck. He is naughty, mischievous, and he always gets into trouble. He enjoys climbing radio towers and messing with school microphones. The story starts when Alex goes to the new neighbor's house to sell plants. The neighbor, Ebbs, invites her inside and gives her a bomber bar that she invented for people to pilot bomber planes. Alex sees pictures of Ebbs with rockets next to a German scientist. Alex becomes curious and asks Ebbs about the picture, and she excitedly tells Alex that she made food for astronauts. After that, Alex and Ebbs become good friends. Later on, Ebbs sails a boat named the No Name and she invites Alex to go on a sailing trip to Tangier. When they arrive, Alex hears of Wallops, a secret facility where rockets are launched. Alex finds out that she can get there on a mail boat, and decides to go there. She sneaks on the mail boat and hitchhikes with a guy named TJ to reach the facility. You will want to read the book to find out what happens next!

Racing the Moon is a great story that I think young adults and children would like to read. I think it is appropriate for all because it is funny, happy, suspenseful, and has a satisfying ending.

Review written by Ignacio (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Racing the Moon? 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 nightmareÓ and "We have to helpÓ 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: Phoenix by Jeff Stone

Phoenix by Jeff Stone. The Five Ancestors Out of the Ashes Book 1.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870187

Review: Have you ever wanted to read a book with excitement, action, and suspense? Then Phoenix is just the book for you. The book I did my review on is Phoenix by Jeff Stone. The main character is a boy named Phoenix. The book is book one in part two of the Five Ancestors series. The second part is called The Five Ancestors: Out of the Ashes.

This story takes place in modern times both in China and in the U.S. It starts with Phoenix and his ÒgrandfatherÓ (who was really another of his ancestors, born in 1638) living in Indianapolis. Grandfather got robbed of his supply of dragon bone, a mysterious substance that helps both physical performance and the ability to live longer. Since grandfather had none left and was more than 370 years old, he would die within a month. Phoenix had to go to China to get more of the necessary dragon bone. Phoenix encounters many exciting events along the way like meeting a girl named Hu Die, and an encounter with the temple leader, Grandmaster Long, and even a battle scene with flash grenades and motorcycles! What was most exciting was a shocking truth revealed at the end, but you'll have to read the book to find out what it is.

I like this book for several reasons. The plot is really suspenseful at times like when Phoenix was fighting another bike racer and suddenly, the other racer lashes out and knocks Phoenix out with his leg. The characters are believable in the story based on what they do. Their actions are something we would do in real life. I think the theme is, Òcheating never gets you anywhereÓ. The robbers tried to cheat by taking the dragon bone for themselves, but they failed. The theme is an important message because in real life, people often cheat to get what they want. Learning the negatives of cheating is a powerful lesson. The author's writing style is extremely descriptive and you can picture the whole book because every scene is filled with imagery. This novel contains a lot of fast paced action; with exciting events like when Phoenix encounters Grandmaster Long, and there is a huge ÒfightÓ (Phoenix is proving himself worthy for Grandmaster Long). The setting is pretty realistic because the story is set in modern times. Another thing I like about this book I can connect a substance like dragon bone to steroids because they both boost people's physical performance. There's nothing I don't like about this book because it was so good. I think this book would be good for kids 10-12 to read.

Review written by Nathan (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Phoenix? How would you rate it?

Review: Sons of the 613 by Michael Rubens

Sons of the 613 by Michael Rubens.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547612164

Review: Do you like books with adventure and comedy? Then you should read Sons of the 613 by Michael Rubens!

The main character in the story is a boy named Isaac who is about to have his bar mitzvah. But then his parents abandon him; they leave him for a trip to Italy. His brother, Josh, who never lost a wrestling match and gets in bar fights, is put in charge. When his brother finds out that Isaac's tutor hasn't been showing up to teach him about his bar mitzvah, he decides Isaac shouldn't have to give a speech to become a man. Instead, he is given a quest involving many different challenges and hardships. Along the journey he gets into various, unusual situations. He starts to fall in love with his brother's friend, Lesley, goes to bars, and almost gets killed by dogs.

Sons of the 613 is literally the best book I have ever read! It has constant humor, action, and suspense and was very thrilling. It is written very well and would be appropriate for kids 14+ because it has some inappropriate parts. I give it 5 stars because it is a very great book that will keep you wondering until the end, with the constant question: Will Isaac survive?

Review written by Josh (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin for providing a copy of Sons of the 613 for this review.

Have you read Sons of the 613? How would you rate it?

Review: The Wednesdays by Julie Bourbeau

The Wednesdays by Julie Bourbeau.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375868900

Review: Have you ever been walking through a bookstore, not sure what to buy? If you ever see The Wednesdays by Julie Bourbeau, tear it off the shelf and buy it! This is a humorous, witty, and just plain phenomenal book starring an average boy named Max Bernard. But pretty soon, he'll be anything but average! You'll have to read the book to get the full story though.

Max's village is like any other ordinary little town. People bustle around, go to work, and go to school. Normal things. Every day of the week. Well, except for Wednesday. On Wednesdays, the townsfolk shrink back into their houses, lock the doors and windows, and close the shutters. Why, you might ask, do the citizens do this every third day of the week? Because of the Wednesdays, of course. The bringers of bad luck. If you go out to walk your dog on a Wednesday, there is a very good chance that you will trip and scrap your knee, and your dog will run away. Everyone in Max's town fears them. Max is determined to find and capture a Wednesday, but gets more than what he bargains for when they find him! Short, squat, and plump figures with large silver eyes, squarish heads, and long, gangly arms is a way of describing the Wednesdays. And then, bad things start happening every day of the week! Max fears he is becoming a Wednesday, as he begins to get the complexion of one! He is afraid of being near his own family, as bad things always happen when he's around. Will he ever get his normal life back?

I loved this book because it can entertain you through and through, and it's nice and short. The characters are all different from each other, and some of them are pretty wacky. If I were to rate this on a scale of one to ten, I would give it a 9, for sure. If you have a road trip or vacation coming up, I would definitely recommend bringing this book along as a quick read. I wouldn't recommend this to older kids or adults, as it is short, larger font, and pictures. I would suggest kids 9-12 to read this book. This book is sure to deliver a few good laughs, though. You never exactly know what the characters are going to do, as they are almost all as wacky as the other. Overall, I loved this book, and I think you should consider reading it!

Review written by Andy (6th grade student).

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

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

Review: The Book of Blood: From Legends and Leeches to Vampires and Veins by HP Newquist

The Book of Blood: From Legends and Leeches to Vampires and Veins by HP Newquist.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780547315843

Review: The Book of Blood is a nonfiction book. First, it shows how blood is important, how it goes through your body and makes sure you are healthy; second it explains how people discovered how important blood really is. The book starts out explaining red blood cells and how your heart works along with your arteries and veins. Then you go back to ancient times, when the Nile floods and when Aztecs sacrifice people to their gods. Then the story progresses through time.

This is a book that at times captivates you and keeps you interested with juicy and interesting facts. However, sometimes I felt tempted to skip the selection because of how boring it was. The book was exceptionally gruesome. I do understand the book is all about blood, but sometimes it goes over the limit. For example, the book shows pictures such as a stream of blood bursting from a man's arm or a picture of a brain of someone that was dead. I skipped some of the pages because the pictures were too disturbing. I also felt like it was a textbook. I did learn a lot from the Book of Blood though. Many interesting facts forced me to continue reading. Something I thought was very interesting was how the history went through time and explained how it was kind of like evolution. Some parts left me wanting more information, and that led me to look online. The book had some humor in it, and when it did, it nailed it. Many parts of the book made me laugh.

Review written by Luc (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Book of Blood: From Legends and Leeches to Vampires and Veins for this review.

Have you read The Book of Blood: From Legends and Leeches to Vampires and Veins? How would you rate it?

Review: Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck

Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547681009

Review: Malcolm at Midnight is a story about a rat named Malcolm who is different from others due to his size. One day, when Mr. Binney came to the Pet Emporium and bought this small rat, Malcolm knew things were going to change. When school ends the "mouse" then meets the Midnight Academy including a series or other animals like a talking iguana that wear's the librarian's glasses after she leaves, "Honey Bunny", and a more. The bad thing is that rats have a bad reputation so when the iguana goes missing, Malcolm's the one to blame-but is he?

I gave Malcolm at Midnight a five star review because the story itself was full of excitement and feelings that made me want to read on. Also, the plot was suspenseful with well developed ideas from when Malcolm got the school at McKenna all the way to the end. And the theme was an important message to me, that you should never judge a book by its cover due to the fact that the animals were stereotypical to Malcolm. Another thing is the characters from the evilness on the forth floor to the fish in the tank in the library, they were all multidimensional and well- rounded. Even though Oscar (one of the fish in the tank) is not in the story much, I knew what he was like. Lastly, the author's writing style was descriptive; I knew what the classroom looked like in Mr. Binney's class and what the inside of the skull felt like to Malcolm. It was also full of action because when I was reading I felt the book pulling me in as I was reading and when the description and action came together it felt like I was in the book. If you are deciding if you should read this book, I say you should because if you are a person who likes action and suspense then this is the book for you because this story contains that kind of plot with well devolved characters. Also I think this is a great book for teachers who are looking to read out loud.

Review written by Caitlyn (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Malcolm at Midnight for this review.

Have you read Malcolm at Midnight? How would you rate it?

Review: May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose.

Schwartz & Wade Books
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9781582463933

Review: "Ma and Pa want me to leave and live with strangers. I won't go,'' May said. Mavis Betterly just found out that her parents are sending her away to live with strangers for five months, until Christmas comes around. This is the beginning of May B., an engaging book by Caroline Starr Rose. May B. is getting sent to live with the Oblingers in their new home, where she will help them and earn money for her family. Even though it will help her family, May dreads going away.

The reader soon learns that Mrs.Oblinger isn't too thrilled about May coming. Mrs. Oblinger and May hate each other as much as they both hate the sod house. When May thinks things couldn't get any worse, Mrs. Oblinger gets upset and disappears, forcing a lonely Mr. Oblinger to run after her. He leaves May alone in the sod house, which is located in the middle of an empty prairie, miles from the nearest town or single home! Then a blizzard hits, trapping her in snow. Will May be able to hold out by herself until the Oblingers' return? Will anyone come to May's rescue?

Caroline Starr Rose's unique writing style keeps you glued to the book. It gets hard to stop turning the pages when you are always left with a cliffhanger! Every page leaves you wondering how the situation will develop. Also, Rose demonstrates incredible character development as she shows how May struggles through the blizzard and the challenges of learning to read. The author created May to be such an inspiring young girl. Through her struggles, May learns to overcome her fear and just think about herself. She finds her courage and shows that it's all up to her to save herself because who knows how long it will take for someone to find her! May finds her own voice, and I think Rose hopes to show readers how to find theirs! May B. deserves five stars for its excellent story line, development, and for giving readers a new inspiration---a girl named May Betterly!

Review written by Gianna (6th grade student).

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

Have you read May B.? How would you rate it?