Review: Nothing But Blue by Lisa Jahn-Clough

Nothing But Blue by Lisa Jahn-Clough.

Houghton Mifflin
Publication Date: January 1900
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780618959617

Review: Are you in the mood for a sweet, haunting story about a young girl overcoming loss? Then Nothing But Blue by Lisa Jahn-Clough is the right book for you. This story will lift your heart up about humanity and the different kind of people in this world.

Along the way she meets a telepathic dog-named shadow that becomes her companion. She feels down a lot so she names her self-blue. She comes across a lot of people in a journey to a home that she barely remembers. Some of the people are good people and some people are bad but over all you are left with a good feeling of people. Her story slowly unfolds until you finally find out what happened to her.

Overall I think Nothing But Blue is a good book that tells a strong story about a young girl. I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars because it was just a happy book when you got to the end of it. Although it started out a little slow in the beginning and you don't really know what is going on, later in the book it speeds up and you understand everything.

Review written by Morgan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin for providing a copy of Nothing But Blue for this review.

Have you read Nothing But Blue? How would you rate it?

Review: Proxy by Alex London

Proxy by Alex London.

Philomel Books
Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780399257766

Review: What if the only person you could trust is the person who is trying to kill your friend? That is exactly what Proxy by Alex London is about. Sydney is a proxy to one of the most well known accountant's son, Knox, who is the patron of Sydney. Everything that Knox does wrong or bad, and the punishment is then forced upon Sydney. So when Knox gets into a car crash with a girl named Marie, all debts are over and it's a life for a lifeÉ Or is it?

Marie is a "cause girl" which means that she is fighting for a cause. That cause is to change the whole proxy/patron system into something where everyone is equal. This is an unbelievably dangerous task to change what everyone knows to be true. Eventually, they realize that Sydney is the key to ending the social system that they know. They also figure out the key is in his blood, but Sydney isn't the only person with the blood running through his veins. One of them must dieÉ who is the other person that holds the key to changing the system? And who will die to change the lives of everyone else?

Proxy by Alex London is honestly one of the most inspiring and amazing books I have ever read. While taking place in a confusing, technological futuristic time, London captivates really ties everything together at the end, ending with a suspenseful and fortifying ending that no one would have expected. Although everyone would enjoy the story line, the language and central plot is best suited to middle school readers and above. London captivates readers with the conflict of "good v. evil" and the enticing topic of a dystopian futuristic life involving technology combined with the past and of what happens today, slavery. While incorporating the often problems found in poverty and the privileges of living in the upper city part of state, I found myself imagining a city like Los Angeles. I often found myself comparing the life of the past, present, and what the future might be like. London keeps you guessing and you don't completely get the answer until the end, which then brings up more questions, so this makes you literally unable to put the book down. Through all the happiness, desperation, and tears I had, I regret nothing. Proxy really makes you not take things for granted and appreciate the way life is now, also making you want to take good care of the future to make sure the world never has to go through the things that Sydney, Marie, and Knox have to go through everyday. I give Proxy 5 stars and two thumbs hoping Proxy will fly off of shelves in June of 2013.

Review written by Abby (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Proxy? How would you rate it?

Review: The Chosen of Gaia by M. Mariz

The Chosen of Gaia by M. Mariz.

Marcela Mariz
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $11.99
ISBN-13: 9780985808433

Review: Have you ever wanted to live on a perfect planet? Well, so did Albert, Ruth, their parents, and their dog Soap from The Chosen of Gaia, written by M. Mariz. The family gets extremely close to reaching that perfect planet. But is it really that perfect after all?

Albert and Ruth are twins and live with their mom, dad, and dog, Soap. They are a close family and eventually have to come to a decision once they face two options. Albert has a dream that comes true and a man named Julius visits them to say that they have been chosen - chosen to go to a new "perfect" planet away from Earth. They decide to go and they are told that they have 30 days to decide whether or not they want to return to Earth or stay on planet Gaia. Though they go through rough patches, the family begins to love the planet and decides to stay there. All is well until Victor, the father, and his friend, George are framed for breaking into the president's home and stealing important documents. When the president is found dead from a heart attack, suspicion surrounds George's family. While trying to redeem their family name and innocence, find the real culprit and a little love along the way, the family just might make it throughÉ or will they?

The Chosen of Gaia is a decent book. I wouldn't have been impressed if I had to buy the book but would have happily gotten it from the library. It's a great science-fiction book with little romance and lots of mystery and suspense. Although the end is engaging, it takes awhile for the book to interest the reader. I found not interested in continuing the book, but once I reached the last 50 pages, I sped through them. The Chosen of Gaia's audience would be 10 to 14 year olds since all of the content is appropriate for that age group, but it does have difficult concept to comprehend and wouldn't be a great book to share with immature minds. Overall, I give The Chosen of Gaia three stars because the ending almost makes up for the dull start and middle. I just wish Mariz made sure to have an interesting beginning and middle to match the end.

Review written by Abby (6th grade student).

We would like to thank JKS Communications for providing a copy of The Chosen of Gaia for this review.

Have you read The Chosen of Gaia? How would you rate it?

Review: From Fail to Win! Gadgets and Inventions by Neil Morris

From Fail to Win! Gadgets and Inventions by Neil Morris. A From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas Book.

Raintree Freestyle
Publication Date: January 2011
List Price: $33.99
ISBN-13: 9781410939098

Review: Do you like stories that that tell you about history and the future? If you do, then this is the book for you. In the book, From Fail to Win: Gadgets and Inventions by Neil Morris, it shows how scientists can fail or win.

In the book, From Fail to Win: Gadgets and Inventions, there is an invention made by Thomas Edison - concrete furniture. Edison believed that people would like concrete furniture and other concrete items. But, the author shows how Edison's idea failed since people felt that concrete furniture would be uncomfortable and too expensive. Therefore Thomas Edison sold all of the concrete to a company to make something else.

Also in the book, the author mentions an invention made by a phone company which was called the videophone. This phone was originally introduced by AT&T as a phone that allowed the callers to see one another while they were speaking. This was a fail because it was an expensive phone. But, maybe it was an invention that was simply ahead of its time. Find out what other inventions were made that were never released by reading the book From Fail to Win: Gadgets and Inventions.

This book taught me that even the smartest of scientists can create a failure. After reading From Fail to Win: Gadgets and Inventions, I learned about many cool inventions that I would have never known about; I really enjoyed this book. Even though it's a small book, I recommend it to any one that likes a book with awesome inventions. It is a perfect book for libraries and schools and even your home bookshelf.

Review written by Eric (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of From Fail to Win! Gadgets and Inventions for this review.

Have you read From Fail to Win! Gadgets and Inventions? How would you rate it?

Review: 2:32 AM by Emily Ford

2:32 AM by Emily Ford. The first book of The Djinn Master's Legacy.

Amazon Digital Services
Publication Date: May 2012
List Price: $5.99
ISBN-13: B0077276KG

Review: Paranormal activity can be very fascinating. There are many different crazy events, objects, and even people. You hear about vampires and werewolves all the time, but you don't hear about genies very often, do you? Genies are an incredible subject to read about. I read all about genies in the remarkable book 2:32 a.m. by Emily Ford.

Catherine and her family have recently moved to California. One night, she has a strange dream about a man sitting on the edge of her bed. He makes her feel calm, not afraid. She wakes up at 2:32 a.m. Later, the man she dreamed about tells her that he is a genie, and has been a genie for over 400 years. He is looking for somebody to transfer his powers to. He has picked her. Cat doesn't know if she should accept his legacy or not. Finally, she decides to accept it. During the process of gaining his powers, an evil genie named Valentine plans to steal the power. Cat successfully gains all his power and destroys Valentine. Meanwhile, she has problems with her boyfriend, Tom, and another genie named Rolf.

This book is okay. It has a very interesting plot, but there are some inappropriate parts. I think this book should be for ages 13 and up. The problem is, anybody over 13 might not like the book as much because they are older and would want to read books with plots that are meant for their age. Not a book about genies. I give 2:32 a.m. 2 stars. I did like how this book is organized, and I liked the action parts. This book has a lot of parts with Catherine going out partying with her friends, and those sections are not very attention grabbing. I could not relate with the main character at all because she is much older than me, which means that an older reader might connect better and overall enjoy the book more - as long as they enjoy genies. All in all, I did not enjoy this book, but a different reader might.

Review written by Lilia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank JKS Communications for providing a copy of 2:32 AM for this review.

Have you read 2:32 AM? How would you rate it?

Review: Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin

Oddfellow's Orphanage by Emily Winfield Martin.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9780375869952

Review: Oddfellow's Orphanage is a charming, whimsical book for ages 4 to 8 and 20 to 100. The main character is Delia, a newly acquired orphan to very unusual orphanage. This surprisingly happy book is written by Emily Winfield Martin and published by Random House Children's Books.

Oddfellow's Orphanage follows Delia on her adventures at her new orphanage. Oddfellow's Orphanage is not your typical orphanage and the orphans are unique too. Delia is fascinated to meet her fellow orphans who include a boy with an onion head, a girl with tattoos, and a hedgehog. There is even a family of dancing bears that lives there, too! Delia herself doesn't speak but is given a notebook she wears on a string around her neck to communicate. While at the orphanage, the children receive an unusual education taking classes like fairytale studies and cryptozoology. Along with her new friends, Delia goes to places such as an amazing circus and on adventures like exciting monster hunting. They also celebrate the holidays together like Christmas and New Year's Eve. Every chapter shows them growing as individuals and also as a newly formed "family."

I absolutely loved this book. On a scale of one to five, I would give it a five. The illustrations included in this book are beautiful. I also liked how every chapter started by explaining one person in the orphanage until you learned the backstory of every character. During each chapter, there is some kind of adventure or mystery like in one chapter when Ollie, the onion head boy, thinks he might join the circus and leave his friends. This mystery and others like it kept me addicted to the story which I liked. My only problem with the story is that it isn't longer! A story about a group of orphans could easily be sad, and I was pleased that this story was such a happy one. Even though the children have lost their own families, they have found a new family with each other.

Review written by Justin (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Oddfellow's Orphanage? How would you rate it?

Review: Play it Loud! The Rebellious History of Music by Sara Gilbert

Play it Loud! The Rebellious History of Music by Sara Gilbert. A Pop Culture Revolutions Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2010
List Price: $33.32
ISBN-13: 9780756542436

Review: POW! WHAAM! Ring ring! These are the sounds of music. Intricate, beautiful, intriguing music. Music has been a huge impact on the world. It has made marks in history throughout society, government, and other worldly issues. Play It Loud! The Rebellious History of Music by Sara Gilbert goes into depth about how much music has done for the world. It talks about many different artists and groups of people who have made history and music by speaking or singing for what they believe in publicly. People like Elvis Presley and Joan Baez did their own thing, no matter if people agreed with them or not. Music did so much for everyone in the world and let so many people let go of their emotions and feelings and this book made that very clear.

Play It Loud! is a very interesting, great, and informative book. It gives accurate accounts that made me think "Wow, that's so true! I can see how much music did for people!" It let me realize that music really is a wonderful thing with so many prospects. The fact that there are so many examples of artists who for example spoke out against wars or just doing what you want and ignoring the nay-sayers was amazing, because I knew then that not just a couple of people are using music's power to send an important message, many were joining in on the movement. In the book, each section telling of a certain artist or genre transitioned smoothly into the next because many had a similar subject or message. Each chapter could be related to the previous or next and was definitely readable. Not to mention how relatable the book was. Play It Loud! Features artists who went through tough times in their childhood and because of the high poverty level in bigger cities in modern times, many teenagers could probably relate to the artists. The fact that I understood and related to almost everything music has done that was mentioned in the book makes me believe even further that the book will be interesting to many. Next, on top of the fact that such useful, detailed information is included in this fabulous book, it's very interesting. Most preteens-teens are very interested in music, lots of kids spend most of their free time on their iPods and listening to the radio, and music is a very popular thing in recent times. Since so many kids enjoy music, many would be interested in learning more about how it has developed and what it has done for the world. Altogether, Play it Loud! is a fabulous book that is very interesting, descriptive, and relatable! It drew me in and kept my attention! I'm very glad that I had the chance to read this great non-fiction book and would definitely read it again!

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Savannah (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Play it Loud! The Rebellious History of Music for this review.

Have you read Play it Loud! The Rebellious History of Music? How would you rate it?

Review: Today's U.S. Army by Don Nardo

Today's U.S. Army by Don Nardo. An U.S. Armed Forces Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $28.95
ISBN-13: 9780756546182

Review: Do you want to know about the U.S Army? Do you want to know how they recruit people? Well then, Today's U.S. Army by Don Nardo is the book for you. It provides a comprehensive, yet easy-to-read summary of the U.S. Army. This book tells readers about the U.S army's special forces, about who the army fights, and what they organize it into.

Today's U.S. Army is an interesting book, which is staying a lot from a person who hates reading non-fiction books. Much to my own surprise, I liked this book because it shares so many interesting facts about one of the most important organizations in our country. This book shares how the army operates, how it handles various situations, and how it is organized.

After reading Today's U.S Army, I felt like I learned so much about the U.S. Army, and I learned it in an interesting way. This was far more appealing than a textbook and could be an excellent book for anyone interested in the military. Not only would people enjoy reading it on their own, but it could also be an excellent resource for any research project related to the military.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Noah (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Today's U.S. Army for this review.

Have you read Today's U.S. Army? How would you rate it?

Review: Advertisement Attack by Laura J. Hensley

Advertisement Attack by Laura J. Hensley. A Mastering Media Book.

Raintree Freestyle
Publication Date: January 2011
List Price: $33.99
ISBN-13: 9781410938428

Review: They surround you everywhere. You cannot escape them. There are many different techniques and strategies that advertisers use. "Good advertising does not just circulate information. It penetrates the public mind with desires and belief." -- Leo Burnett. Advertisement Attack by Laura J. Hensley is a comprehensive look at advertising.

The purpose of Advertisement Attack is to inform readers about advertisements: where they are, how they are made, and what strategies the advertisers use. Advertisements are everywhere. They are in buildings, walls, rooms, billboards, trucks, commercials, the Internet - basically everywhere you look! Advertisers use a variety of techniques and strategies to try to catch somebody's eye. Read Advertisement Attack by Laura J. Hensley to find out tricks and tips about ads.

I loved this book! It taught me so much about ads that I never knew! It was so cool to see how the advertisers set up and create the ads. It made me want to be part of an advertising business. Now, I can feel that I won't be tricked around ads anymore. I know that I am buying safely. It is nice to feel like I know what is going on. If others read it, I'm sure they would feel the same way. I am glad that I read this book, and I recommend it for ages 10 and up. It would be a good decision for schools in particular to purchase copies. That way, not only would people see the tricks the advertisers are using, but it would provide interesting non-fiction material for schools to use in instruction.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Lilia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Advertisement Attack for this review.

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

Review: Ancient Egypt by Pamela Dell

Ancient Egypt by Pamela Dell. An Exploring the Ancient Worlds Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $28.65
ISBN-13: 9780756545635

Review: Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? In Ancient Egypt, Exploring the Ancient World, written by Pamela Dell, you will be sent back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians. What was it like to grow up in Egypt? What is the mummification process? What is a sphinx? All these questions are answered in Ancient Egypt, Exploring the Ancient World.

The author's purpose for writing this book is to inform readers about life back in the days of the Egyptians. The author does a great job entertaining you and keeping you hooked to the book. Essentially, the book is about the Egyptians and their way of life. Schools would be wise to purchase copies of Ancient Egypt, Exploring the Ancient World because it would be good to supplement a curriculum on Ancient Egypt, for a research project, or just to read for fun.

I really enjoyed reading Ancient Egypt, Exploring the Ancient World. It really helped me with my research project about Egypt in Social Studies. I thought it was very interesting to see what it was like to grow up in Egypt and what life was like about 7,000 years ago. I recommend this book to anyone 3rd grade and up who is interested in Egypt.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Emily (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Ancient Egypt for this review.

Have you read Ancient Egypt? How would you rate it?

Review: Ancient Medicine by Andrew Langley

Ancient Medicine by Andrew Langley. A Medicine Through the Ages Book.

Raintree
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $33.99
ISBN-13: 9781410946607

Review: Do you like medicine, or are you interested in becoming a doctor? Ancient Medicine, by Andrew Langley, describes some creepy methods, weird tools and magic people used to treat ailments in the past. This non-fiction book includes information about famous people from ancient history such as Aristotle, Galen, Hippocrates, and more. Andrew Langley makes me appreciate the medical world we have today. He gives an overview of old techniques to cure diseases, headaches, and other harmful sicknesses. I now realize that past generations should be highly respected for their medical contributions.

Ancient Medicine breaks down how historical civilizations and settlements evolved with their medical treatments. Each chapter focuses on a different country. The timeline rewinds to include the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian Empires, which existed thousands of years ago! Some healing methods are somewhat disturbing. The book also describes the medical practices of Indian civilizations and the Chinese states. Some ancient methods are still in use today, such as Chinese acupuncture, body dissection, taking vitamins and minerals, proper hygiene, and doctors taking the Hippocratic oath. It's amazing how much there is to learn about ancient medicine!

I like Andrew Langley's account of the history of getting rid of pains. I am amazed by how people performed complicated surgeries so long ago. For example, ancient Indian surgeons had 120 instruments! The target audience is nine to thirteen year old readers who are interested in history and the medical field. Even though I do not have much interest in those subjects, I still enjoyed Ancient Medicine enough to recommend it to all readers. Although the content is pretty general, Andrew Langley notes numerous interesting facts, such as the Chinese doctors stressing the importance of vitamins for health over 1,700 years ago. Read Ancient Medicine to find out which people thought "a head cold would disappear if the sufferer kissed a mule on the nose!"

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Allie (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Ancient Medicine for this review.

Have you read Ancient Medicine? How would you rate it?

Review: Cyber Bullying by Nick Hunter

Cyber Bullying by Nick Hunter. A Hot Topics Book.

Heinemann Library
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $33.50
ISBN-13: 9781432955441

Review: Imagine feeling worthless, not wanting to face the expected torment of each day. What would you do with your life? Unfortunately, for some people, this is a reality and Cyber Bullying by Nick Hunter shares tragic stories of sad young lives that end short due to cyber bullies. Readers also learn how to protect themselves from cyber bullying and what to do if it happens.

Cyber Bullying by Nick Hunter is a must read. It is a very touching read at points and is very useful in a world where cyber bullying is becoming more and more prevalent. I recommend Cyber Bullying for people in middle school and high school because that is the more common age group to have to deal with cyber bullying. But, anyone can read and learn from Cyber Bullying. It is an excellent choice for not only personal reading, but also for schools where bullying is part of the education. It is a book that will help a lot in life and will stay with you in your heart always.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Karissa (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Cyber Bullying for this review.

Have you read Cyber Bullying? How would you rate it?

Review: Gamers Unite! The Video Game Revolution by Shane Frederick

Gamers Unite! The Video Game Revolution by Shane Frederick. A Pop Culture Revolutions Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2010
List Price: $33.32
ISBN-13: 9780756542443

Review: Have you ever wondered how video games were started? The trend started really slow from an idea so crazy that it seemed like it could never be done. Ralph Baer, the creator of video games, thought people would want to do more with their TVs. People said that his idea was absurd. However, we have achieved it.

Before, people would just sit and watch TV, without any interaction. Today that is exactly what people do. They are following this idea that Ralph Baer came up with. Nowadays many people play war games on TV with their friends. This idea was absurd back when Ralph Baer was alive. How did this really start? What was the first gaming system? What games we're playable back then? What did the games look like? How did these games evolve over the years? You will find out everything and more if you read Gamers Unite! The Video Game Revolution, written by Shane Fredrick.

A group of 21 students responded to a survey regarding video games and their content. Those statistics showed that 17 out of 21 students think that video games should be rated by age. Plus, in regard to violence in video games, 6 people said that it should be included, 6 people said that it should not be a part of video game content, and 9 people said they would like to see occasional violence included in their video games. This book would be a great investment for schools, because kids would be able to read about why certain games are appropriate and why some are not. Children will be able to understand some of the benefits of playing certain games also.

I recommend Gamers Unite! The Video Game Revolution for anyone who is a gamer. It can teach kids about video game safety. I like how the author, Shane Fredrick, included a timeline in the back of the book in order to show the evolution of video games. Even though I consider myself a gamer and a huge Xbox fan, the information made me rethink my beliefs about video games from the time of their creation. The author used various descriptions and photos that helped me understand the changes of video games over the years. I recommend this book for gamers of all ages.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Gamers Unite! The Video Game Revolution for this review.

Have you read Gamers Unite! The Video Game Revolution? How would you rate it?

Review: Getting Ahead: Drugs, Technology, and Competitive Advantage by Lori Hile

Getting Ahead: Drugs, Technology, and Competitive Advantage by Lori Hile. An Ethics of Sports Book.

Heinemann Library
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $34.00
ISBN-13: 9781432959784

Review: Are you the type of person who dives right into an amazing book about drugs and technology, and how they give you a competitive advantage? Well if so, Ethics of Sports- Getting Ahead Drugs, Technology, and Competitive Advantage by Lori Hile is the book for you! An alarming number of Olympic Competitors said that they would take a magic pill if it would guarantee a gold medal at the Olympic Games. In this expository essay that is organized spatially will inform readers about getting ahead in sports using drugs, technology, and competitive advantage. Readers learn how technology is a real game changer and why steroids are dangerous for everyone. Readers will also find out the importance of control with gene enhancement. Last, but not least, readers learn how extreme sports are different from traditional sports and how traditional sports' athletes use drugs to help achieve goals, while athletes in extreme sports do not.

Ethics of Sports- Getting Ahead Drugs, Technology, and Competitive Advantage is a very informative book that benefits all readers. For example, due to the athletes who are described in this book, kids and adults should know that taking steroids is bad for your health and reputation. Reading this book could change kids' and help future athletes make the right decision to avoid taking steroids, using illegal technology and pills that could give a competitive advantage. Another benefit is, kids could learn about gene therapies, which might be an interesting topic to learn about, so the kids could find a good research topic they are interested in. Schools would be extremely wise to purchase Ethics of Sports- Getting Ahead Drugs, Technology, and Competitive Advantage because it is a high-interest topic and could benefit the kids and staff at the schools.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Katie (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Getting Ahead: Drugs, Technology, and Competitive Advantage for this review.

Have you read Getting Ahead: Drugs, Technology, and Competitive Advantage? How would you rate it?

Review: Industrial Age Medicine by Rebecca Vickers

Industrial Age Medicine by Rebecca Vickers. A Medicine Through the Ages Book.

Raintree
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $33.99
ISBN-13: 9781410946638

Review: When it comes to a book that is inspiring, interesting, and surprising there are many books to pick. However there is one particular book that is all this and much more, and that would be Industrial Age Medicine by Rebecca Vickers. Did you know medicine started to advance and change in the 1700's? This book informs readers about the changes in medicine. Did you know that in the Industrial Revolution in cities where people were dirty diseases spread more quickly? Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, people figured out many medicine advancements. For example doctors discovered that illness travels faster in a densely populated area. Also, they discovered that a vaccination would introduce the immune system to a substance so the person will not get the disease. I had no idea vaccinations had been around for so long!

Industrial Age Medicine is an exceptional book that I recommend to anyone because I learned so much from it. Plus it's relatively easy to understand! Schools should also purchase copies of this book because it's an excellent choice for guided reading groups. Although the concepts are somewhat challenging, the reading level is very appropriate for middle-school readers. Plus, it's a high-interest non-fiction book. It's become so much more important for students to read non-fiction, so finding high-interest books is very important. In a nutshell Industrial Age Medicine is easy, interesting and surprising, so if schools haven't bought copies yet, it's time to do so!

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Omar (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Industrial Age Medicine for this review.

Have you read Industrial Age Medicine? How would you rate it?

Review: From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas: Buildings and Structures by Nicola Barber

From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas: Buildings and Structures by Nicola Barber. A From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas Book.

Raintree Freestyle
Publication Date: January 2011
List Price: $33.99
ISBN-13: 9781410939074

Review: Do you like to see buildings fail and fall over, tilt, or break? Or do you like to see buildings that are able to withstand the test of time? Both kinds are interesting to see or read about like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which had shallow foundations and tilted over a time. This tourist attraction in northwest Italy is just one of the ideas you can learn about in From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas: Buildings and Structures by Nicola Barber.

There are a lot of disasters that have happened with buildings like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. One of them is the Ronan Point Tower collapse. This building was a high-rise and collapsed when a person lit her stove and it exploded. The explosion knocked out the walls and the floors, causing them to crash into each other like dominoes. Once the building was demolished, they dismantled it floor-by-floor and discovered that the nuts in the building weren't screwed in all the way and the holes were filled with garbage, not mortar. This book has many more fascinating incidents where structures have been built poorly.

From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas: Buildings and Structures is an excellent book. I found it to captivate my interest, and boggle my mind with all the informative stories. I especially liked learning about the construction issues that led to the destruction of once impressive buildings. This would make an exceptional book not only for personal reading, but also for schools and libraries. The high-interest topic will excite even the most reluctant reader.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Justin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas: Buildings and Structures for this review.

Have you read From Fail to Win! Learning from Bad Ideas: Buildings and Structures? How would you rate it?

Review: Money in Sports by Nick Hunter

Money in Sports by Nick Hunter. An Ethics of Sports Book.

Heinemann Library
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $34.00
ISBN-13: 9781432959777

Review: Do you know much about sports? Do you know about how athletes are paid? Do you wish to learn more about these topics? If so then Money in Sports by Nick Hunter is the book for you. Did you know that Tiger Woods makes the most money? I didn't. In this book you will learn all this and more. Money in Sports examines how money has become tied to sports, and the implications this has for both athletes and fans.

The type of nonfiction that this book presents is expository. Therefore the reason for writing is to inform the reader about money in sports. The main idea of Money in Sports is athletes and everyone connected to sports get paid and pays people a significant amount of money. "Some people take shortcuts to make money out of sports by bending and breaking the rules." That means that they lose a game just to make money rather than love of the game and just play. When managers of teams need young recruits it's all about making money because if they get exceptional players, then they might win the championship and get more money.

Money in Sports is an amazing book that could help people learn all about sports and the money of sports. This is a perfect book for schools to purchase because it is a high-interest topic. It is perfect if you are learning about money, it would be interesting to learn about how athletes and sports people are paid. Overall, Money in Sports presents amazing nonfiction text that that could help plenty of students learn about money.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Anthony (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Money in Sports for this review.

Have you read Money in Sports? How would you rate it?

Review: Social Networks and Blogs by Lori Hile

Social Networks and Blogs by Lori Hile. A Mastering Media Book.

Raintree
Publication Date: January 2011
List Price: $33.99
ISBN-13: 9781410938459

Review: We live in a media world, and everywhere you look social media surrounds you. Teens spend a bulk of their time texting, chatting on Facebook, and counting their followers! Social Networks and Blogs by Lori Hile explains the basics of using social network sites and texting which is really helpful to people that want to know how to appropriately and safely use social media sites. It also talks about Wikipedia and YouTube. Social Networks and Blogs is organized into different topical sections so readers can easily navigate to the topic of most interest. It provides helpful tips on everything people need to know for using any websites or texting device.

Not only does Social Networks and Blogs provide the basics about various sites, but it also addresses safety and consequences for texting and using various sites. Reading this book helps people understand that some websites like Facebook and Twitter have other benefits too because they can help people get instant information on nearly every topic. Twitter in particular has been known to help followers in dealing with natural disasters.

All in all, Social Networks and Blogs is a really helpful book about the Internet and technology. The only point with which I disagree is the use of Wikipedia as a good source for research projects. They didn't mention all the dangers of using a site like Wikipedia such as the inaccurate information. But in a world where teens are surrounded by media, Social Networks and Blogs is not only informative, but it is also high-interest. To find out all of the tips and tricks of using the Internet go read Social Networks and Blogs by Lori Hile!

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Morgan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Social Networks and Blogs for this review.

Have you read Social Networks and Blogs? How would you rate it?

Review: The Ancient Maya by Jennifer Fretland VanVoorst

The Ancient Maya by Jennifer Fretland VanVoorst. An Exploring the Ancient Worlds Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $33.32
ISBN-13: 9780756545642

Review: Advanced is far or ahead in development or progress, and there was once a very advanced ancient civilization that most people are familiar with, but how much do you know about the Mayan civilization? The Maya were considered to be one of the most advanced civilizations, and they influenced our civilization today greatly. They not only invented their own number system and a famous calendar that predicted the end of the world on December 21st, 2012, but they had also created their own writing system using hieroglyphics. There are plenty more achievements that had made the Maya an advanced civilization, and The Ancient Maya by Jennifer Fretland VanVoorst is an excellent resource for all things Mayan.

"Many scholars consider the Maya to have been the most advanced civilization in Mesoamerica." The Ancient Maya was written to share information about the Mayans. Readers will learn about the classical period of the Mayan Era, when several hundred cities with more than at least 50,000 citizens existed. They will also learn about the extensive religious system of the Mayan people. Additionally, readers will learn about their lives and achievements that may have lead to the fall of the empire. The book is divided into chapters about daily life, religion, achievements, and the fall of the empire.

The Ancient Maya is a good book for 3rd graders and up. For research, this could practically be used by anybody and is very resourceful, giving readers a thorough understanding of the Mayan people. That's also why people could benefit from buying this; there is a lot of information and the book gives a helpful timeline of events. It would work perfectly for a research project about the Maya. The Ancient Maya is not only a good book for people interested in the Mayan people, but it is also an excellent book for schools to purchase as a research tool. So don't miss out on The Ancient Maya by Jennifer Fretland VanVoorst , an excellent basic, yet thorough overview of the Mayan civilization.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Luis (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of The Ancient Maya for this review.

Have you read The Ancient Maya? How would you rate it?

Review: Today's U.S. Marines by Emma Carlson Berne

Today's U.S. Marines by Emma Carlson Berne. An U.S. Armed Forces Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $28.65
ISBN-13: 9780756546212

Review: Would you be willing to be subject to risk every day of your life? This is the commitment of a Marine. In Today's U.S. Marines, Emma Carlson Berne provides a thorough account of the life of a Marine that can instruct anyone, especially those who wish to be recruited by the Corps.

When I read this book's facts, my questions about he Marines were answered. It also explains what one does when they want to be recruited, the tests they must take, and what life is like as a Marine. The author goes on to include stories of Marines in combat. There are detailed explanations of the weaponry and equipment Marines use. This shows how sophisticated being a Marine is.

I believe Today's U.S. Marines is a good, informative book for several reasons. First, this book includes many interesting facts. For example, one page describes how the Marines were formed. Also, this details how Marines are elite, and tough, describing how Marines do incredible tasks like standing up to bombs without backing down, and finishing their objective no matter what they face. I was interested to read about the many weapons that Marines are trained to operate. This shows that Marines aren't superhuman, and anyone can be trained to become a Marine. Because there are Marines coming back from fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is wise move to teach kids about the Armed Forces, and this book is jam-packed with interesting and surprising facts. All in all, this is a helpful book with a glossary and extra pages of additional sources so kids from 3rd grade and up will find this interesting and exciting as they explore Today's U.S. Marines.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Ian (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Today's U.S. Marines for this review.

Have you read Today's U.S. Marines? How would you rate it?

Review: Violent Crime by Allison Lassieur

Violent Crime by Allison Lassieur. A Hot Topics Book.

Heinemann Library
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $33.50
ISBN-13: 9781432962081

Review: The world can seem like a very violent place today, these wise words are spoken from the incredible author, Allison Lassieur in her book Violent Crime. Her purpose for writing the book is to inform people about different kinds of violence today, what might influence this violence, and how we can work as a community to stop it. The topic of Violent Crime is just simply violence. She describes bullying with punches, knife violence, gun violence, and she talks about Mexican Drug Cartels. She organizes the book by chapters. She also uses a cause and effect. She describes what might cause someone to be violent, what some violence is, and then what often happens with the person after the violence is committed. Her intelligence and support with the topic really helps the reader understand the violence in the world today.

Violent Crime is intelligently written and educates the reader as it progresses. People would benefit from reading Violent Crime because they would be better educated about something that happens everywhere. She teaches you on how you can't avoid violence but it isn't actually an often occurrence. I'm not quite sure if school's would benefit from purchasing the books since it is an odd subject to be taught about in schools but if a school did a violence program, such as D.A.R.E or G.R.E.A.T, they would impact the students' lives. A student might benefit because if may be a resource of a research project. To be honest, anyone who is interested in violence or crime would be the people I would recommend this book to. But everyone should read it just because of the fact that violence can be anywhere: school or home and in rural or urban area's. Violent Crime is a valuable book. "The world can seem like a very violent place today," wise words spoken and proven true by Allison Lassieur in her book Violent Crime.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Abby (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Violent Crime for this review.

Have you read Violent Crime? How would you rate it?

Review: Today's U.S. Air Force by Michael Burgan

Today's U.S. Air Force by Michael Burgan. An U.S. Armed Forces Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $28.65
ISBN-13: 9780756546205

Review: Have you ever wondered how to fly an Air Force F-22 Raptor Fighter jet? Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be in the Air Force? Then stop wondering and read the book Todays U.S. Air Force to find out all about the Air Force.

This book presents a good introduction to the Air Force, and includes everything from what is needed to join the Air Force, to how it all started, the types of missions, the weapon systems used, and the various parts of the Air Force. Believe it or not, pilots are only one part of the Air Force, and many other people are needed to make this group work.

Today's U.S. Air Force is excellent for keeping my interest because it shows pictures as examples and explains what could happen and how to deal with things - like how to use the guns and what type of missions Air Force cadets have been sent on. Overall, I enjoyed Today's U.S. Air Force, but I would have liked to read more real stories of what people have really been through. First-hand accounts of being in the Air Force and in action would add an element of excitement to this book.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by David (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Today's U.S. Air Force for this review.

Have you read Today's U.S. Air Force? How would you rate it?

Review: What Did the Ancient Romans Do For Me? by Patrick Catel

What Did the Ancient Romans Do For Me? by Patrick Catel. A Linking the Past and Present Book.

Heinemann Library
Publication Date: January 2011
List Price: $32.65
ISBN-13: 9781432937430

Review: Construi_i c_ is Latin and it means, "Build that!" Roman Generals used these words to order their legions to build any structure that they needed, for example, a road, bridge, or even a aquaduct. If you want to learn this and much more, then read What Did the Ancient Romans Do For Me? written by Patrick Catel. Do you believe that we developed all of the technology from the 1800's to the present? No, we learned from the history, and more specifically, we learned it from the ancient Romans.

Although ancient Rome has long since been destroyed, its culture has influenced America as well as many other Western countries. For instance England as well the western continental Europe have used the technology and the beliefs of Rome. America borrowed many building structure types which can be seen in our capitol building. It has a dome which was first found in Roman culture. It's actually fairly shocking to see how much we have borrowed from the Romans. What Did the Ancient Romans Do For Me? was written to show that ancient Rome has had a great impact on our lives. Readers learn that the Ancient Romans gave us aqueducts, heating systems, and more.

Overall, What Did the Ancient Romans Do For Me? is an excellent book that is not only interesting in and of itself, but is a high-interest book for research. I found that I really didn't realize how much the Roman civilization impacted the world today. Some of the advancements were shocking! Schools should definitely consider buying this not only because it ties into common units in history - like ancient Rome, but it also teaches about ancient history and answers questions about ancient inventions. Did you know that heating was invented in ancient Rome? Well if not, then read this fantastic book written by Patrick Catel.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Dalton (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of What Did the Ancient Romans Do For Me? for this review.

Have you read What Did the Ancient Romans Do For Me?? How would you rate it?

Review: What Did the Ancient Greeks Do For Me? by Patrick Catel

What Did the Ancient Greeks Do For Me? by Patrick Catel. A Linking the Past and Present Book.

Heinemann Library
Publication Date: January 2011
List Price: $32.65
ISBN-13: 9781432937461

Review: What did the Ancient Greeks do for me? That might be your question; well they did a lot for us today. After reading What Did the Ancient Greeks Do For Me? by Patrick Catel, I learned that they had a significant impact on the world today. Did you know that the Greeks created theater, philosophy, and democracy? This book shares facts about the Ancient Greeks and what they did to develop the world we live in today. What Did the Ancient Greeks Do For Me? is great for a research book because it gives strong details about Roman life and how it has influenced today's society. When it demonstrates the "then" and "now", it helps people understand that the ancient Greeks were very similar to people today. Our society has learned so much from the Greeks.

What Did the Ancient Greeks Do For Me? is an excellent addition to school libraries as well. Ancient Greece is a common unit for middle school social studies classes, and this high-interest book is a great supplement to the regular textbook (which is often boring). It also is a good book for research on the ancient Greeks. Finally, schools would also be wise to purchase this book because it has interesting facts and it helps students learn about how much we have advanced from then. If you think the Greeks are interesting, then for sure you will love reading What Did the Ancient Greeks Do For Me? because it shares so many facts that any ancient Greek fan will enjoy. I learned many new facts about what the Greeks created that we still use today, and so I enjoyed reading it!

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Skyler (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of What Did the Ancient Greeks Do For Me? for this review.

Have you read What Did the Ancient Greeks Do For Me?? How would you rate it?

Review: You Can't Read This: Why Books Get Banned by Pamela Dell

You Can't Read This: Why Books Get Banned by Pamela Dell. A Pop Culture Revolutions Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2010
List Price: $33.32
ISBN-13: 9780756542429

Review: Have you ever said, "I love this book?" Now, imagine that book that you love so much getting banned from your school. Wouldn't you hate that? The book You Can't Read This by Pamela Dell will tell you all about America's most loved books such as Uncle Tom's Cabin and Huckleberry Finn by Tom Sawyer getting banned in schools.

You Can't Read This explains many classic and modern books being banned from different schools because it includes something bad about someone or something. Sometimes book banning could go so badly that people start burning other books. For example, people in New Mexico burned Harry Potter books in a church because they believed them to be satanic books and they felt this would protect their youth.

I generally do not enjoy nonfiction books, but I would still recommend it to everyone because You Cant Read This by Pamela Dell offers excellent knowledge and detail about why a book has been banned or put on trial. Also, You Can't Read This is a good book was because a lot of important pictures are in it, and that keeps the reader interested, and it even kept me interested. Overall, I think schools would benefit from buying this book because of its high interest. You Can't Read This by Pamela Dell is fantastic, so go buy it.

Watch a book trailer created by the student reviewer, below:

Review written by Anish (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of You Can't Read This: Why Books Get Banned for this review.

Have you read You Can't Read This: Why Books Get Banned? How would you rate it?

Review: Write Your Own Poetry by Laura Purdie Salas

Write Your Own Poetry by Laura Purdie Salas. A Write Your Own Book.

Compass Point Books
Publication Date: January 2008
List Price: $33.99
ISBN-13: 9780756535193

Review: If you are the kind of person that is fascinated by the wonders of poetry then Write Your Own Poetry by Laura Puride Salas is a book for you. It is a very informative book that would be extremely helpful for any aspiring poets. The main idea of this book is that achieving a goal doesn't have to be difficult if you have the right amount of determination and tools. Personally, before reading this book, I never was interested in poetry, but now I realize what a great hobby it can be. Write Your Own Poetry made me really think about how these amazing works of poetry made by talented authors started off as nothing but fascinated people with a different way of looking at life.

Some people may think poetry is boring, but anyone who enjoys music will realize that music is poetry. Songs have beats and poetry has meter. They are very much alike in many ways. I think that most of the smallest interests in your life can actually have a significant impact on your future. Most poets never have to think closely to make great work of poetry. I think this should be advice to anyone who desires to become a poet in the future; you don't have work so hard that your brain starts to hurt to make a good poem. Inspiration is everywhere. Whether it is from your family and friends or just an object in front of you, you can get inspiration from anywhere. I believe the author wrote this book so that people who are very fond of poetry and would like to write their own, could use this as a tool. I recommend this book to any students, especially the ones who are still trying to figure out their future because this would help them realize it's not hard to pursue a career as a poet.

All in all, Write Your Own Poetry is a wonderful tool for people who enjoy reading and writing poetry. I believe that if you have ever felt like you don't belong or maybe you just have a different way of looking at things you should read this book so you can discover the stepping stones to writing poetry and having a future. Overall, Write Your Own Poetry is not only an excellent book for aspiring poets, but it is also great for teaching poetry. It's a valuable book for any poetry unit in school.

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Review written by Lauren (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Write Your Own Poetry for this review.

Have you read Write Your Own Poetry? How would you rate it?

Review: Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh by R.L. LaFevers

Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh by R.L. LaFevers.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: April 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547390185

Review: Welcome to the magical, sensational, and extraordinary world of Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh created by R.L. LaFevers. Theodosia is a smart, determined, curious, and powerful eleven year old girl who will take you on a journey like no other. When the Serpents of Chaos are up to no good Theodosia must stop them in this amazing fast-paced book.

The story takes place in Luxor, Egypt during the 21st century. Theodosia (the main-character), is an eleven year-old girl with unusual powers who must return the greatly powerful artifacts: the Emerald Tablet and The Orb of Ra to a secretive group named the wedjadeen. The wedjadeen are very dedicated to protecting magic and ancient, powerful artifacts. Theo must return the artifacts safely and quickly, before the Serpents of Chaos get a hold of them. She also must find Major Grindle, Theo's contact at the Luxor who is part of the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers. They are a group devoted to stopping the Serpents of Chaos. During her stay in Egypt she finds out a lot about her family and about her closest friend in Egypt. Besides, returning the artifacts she must help her mother during her archaeological expedition. Then suddenly the people closest to her disappear.

This book is just spectacular. I have many great things to say about this book so I'm going to start with the plot of the story. The beginning got me right into the book which I loved since in other books it takes me at least two to three chapters to actually get into the book. The rising action and climax were really fast-paced and suspenseful, especially when one of Theo's friend and a member of her family disappear. Also, the cliff-hangers at the end of each chapter made me read on and on. The last thing that I have to say about the plot is that it had a very satisfying ending which very much pleased me. The plot practically engulfed my mind and wouldn't let me go. The next thing that I want to talk about is the characters in the story. Theodosia is a round and dynamic character. You can easily describe her personality by her actions, which I think that is another good thing that the author did. Theodosia changes in the end by giving away her secrets to her parents as well as viewing herself differently. Theodosia's mom has the following character traits: caring, determined, and a little selfish. Gadji (another one of the characters) also has the following traits: he has a sense of responsibility, he is non-selfish, gentle, he is curious, he also grateful for whatever he gets, and he is very experienced. The only way I could have come up with these traits is if the author indirectly characterized his characters in which he did. The characters are also very well-developed. You also can definitely relate to these characters because many kids these days are very curious and Theodosia is curious, so there is your relationship. My last words on the characters is that they are very interesting in which it helps me understand why they did what they did. The authors writing style was another thing that I liked. He had a lot of descriptive language and the story was full of action. The last thing I want talk about is the setting. The setting was definitely integral and not backdrop. The setting also helps create an image in my mind, which I would like in all books. All in all I would rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars since it is not my favorite book but it is certainly not my least favorite book. I also would say that this book would be enjoyed by kids ages 10 through 13.

Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh has been one of my favorite books ever. This is a must read that many will love. I personally guarantee that you will love this book. Have fun reading!

Review written by Ronak (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh for this review.

Have you read Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh? How would you rate it?

Review: The Maelstrom by Henry H. Neff

The Maelstrom by Henry H. Neff. Book 4 of the Tapestry Series.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375867415

Review: The Tapestry: The Maelstrom is written by Henry H Neff and is the fourth book in the Tapestry series. The main character in the story is Max Mcdaniels, a few other characters include David Menlo, Mina, and a Smee named toby. Also some minor characters include Ms. Richter the director of Rowan where the book takes place, Ms. Boon a teacher at Rowan, and Elias Bram the Archmage.The Tapestry: The Maelstrom takes place at Rowan an academy for wizards and a refuge. Rowan is on the brink of war with the demon Prusias and has demanded that Rowan give into his demands and ultimately the end of Rowan. But the people at Rowan will fight until their death. However, the rumor is that Prusias has devised a secret weapon that is sure to secure his victory. So Rowan must rely on Max Mcdaniels and David Menlo to protect Rowan.

Just to start off, this book is AMAZING. It has fast-paced action, likeable and realistic characters, and not to forget amazing battles. About the characters, they have realistic responses to what is happening around them. Also the plot is really well thought out and detailed, there isn't a single sentence without detail. The Tapestry: The Maelstrom in my opinion is generally for kids in middle school through high school. But all in all this is a phenomenal story that I just couldn't put down.

Review written by Mark (6th grade student).

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

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

Review: Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare by Sands Hetherington

Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare by Sands Hetherington. A Night Buddies Adventure.

Dune Buggy Press
Publication Date: June 2012
List Price: $7.99
ISBN-13: 9780984741717

Review: Night buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare by Sands Hetherington. A wonderful story about two buddies out on a midnight adventure to find out who has been eating all of the pineapple cheesecakes, a dessert which both of them can't resist. It starts out when a boy named John Degraffenreidt has eaten too many pineapple cheesecakes but doesn't want to go to sleep. After being almost forced into bed, his Night Buddy, Crosley the red crocodile, crawls out from under the bed and states the situation: All of the pineapple cheesecakes from the factory has disappeared. They then settle that they should solve this mystery or they would be never able to taste the pineapple cheesecakes again. After sneaking past John's parents due to the "I ain't here" doodad on Crosley's belt (which is filled with crazy tools) they then find a train and work their way to adventure.

What I like about this is the humor, the crazy story, and the characters. The humor is very funny. You have red crocodiles, gangster like iguanas, food aromas that are so gross that it could make you faint. The story is even funnier though. It starts with John eating about 10 cheesecakes to him seeing CAVES of cheesecakes! Then you have things like red crocodiles needing pills due to water allergies and iguanas hating the smell of pineapple cheesecakes. So overall, I think these three things fit in with each other perfectly like a puzzle to form a very funny story.

I recommend Night Buddies for 7 to 10 ages, as even though it might look simple, it's made-up language can actually confuse you. Rated 4.5/5

Review written by David (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Dune Buggy Press for providing a copy of Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare for this review.

Have you read Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare? How would you rate it?

Review: Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Book One in The Adventures of Lily Lapp.

Revell
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780800721329

Review: For Lily, everyday is a new adventure! In the Life with Lily, by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher, five year old Lily Lapp is growing up in an Amish community in rural New York, and she's learning a lot of new thing about the world. In this book, Lily explores the world through the eyes of a young Amish girl who living a life full of surprises, both good and bad. Journey with Lily Lapp through the new experiences you will see in this book, the first in a series.

Lily Lapp is a young girl living on a small Amish farm in upstate New York. Her life is much, much, different from ours, as you will see in this book. But this is the only life Lily has ever known; the simplistic life of any other four year old girl. Lily and her family, her mother, father, and brother, Joseph, own a farm in an Amish village, surrounded by friends and family they have known they're whole lives. But change is inevitable; Lily will have to adapt to a new life as they welcome a new baby brother into their home, a new teacher at school, and many more things. Lily Lapp is starting school with her this year, along with her cousins Hannah and Levi. So is Mandy Mast, the mean girl who always seems to get Lily to do something that gets her into trouble. Lily must learn to live in a diverse world where not everything is as simple as it should be. In Life with Lily, Lily learns that change comes to everyone; she is definitely experiencing it herself. What will happen when Lily must move away from her small farm in upstate New York? Lily's life will never be the same, and with every day she's learning something new!

The book Life with Lily is, in my opinion, a decent book, even if a bit boring. Personally I did not find it suspenseful or engaging, though the detail and imagery was wonderful. I could really feel what Lily was feeling, and take in her surroundings as if I was standing there watching the scene. The plot is hard to identify, as this is the type of book that has many little problems or conflict along the way rater than a main conflict. The characters were not developed as well as I would have liked, but that was probably the best that could happen due to the main character being a five year old. I suppose you would say this story has "flat characters", because we do not find out much about Lily's personality.

Also, I found no suspense or hook to this book whatsoever. I have to admit that it took me over a month to read just because the story struck me as dull and unexciting. The plot did not capture my attention at all, personally. The story does have a very relatable moral, though; change is inevitable. In this book, Lily is facing many changes that are not unlike what everyone else in the world faces. It was interesting to watch as she coped with these changes as she grew through the book. The book does provide fascinating insight about the Amish way of life, and I learned a lot of new things by reading it. I would recommend this book for younger readers, grades 3-5, who aren't looking for a lot of action, but rather looking to learn new things and explore different ways of life. All in all, Life with Lily is a fairly dull book with some good aspects such as the presence of a good moral and creative imagery.

Review written by Amina (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Revell for providing a copy of Life with Lily for this review.

Have you read Life with Lily? How would you rate it?

Review: Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog Confound their Friends, Astound their Enemies, and Learn the Importance of Packing Light by Ysabeau S. Wilce

Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog Confound their Friends, Astound their Enemies, and Learn the Importance of Packing Light by Ysabeau S. Wilce.

Harcourt Childrens Books
Publication Date: May 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780152054090

Review: Jump into a magical adventure! Flora's Fury, written by Ysabeau S. Wilce, is the third book in a series of books about Flora Fyrdraaca, who is a young girl from a magical country called Califa. While reading this book, you will encounter all one can ask for: magic, mystery, and adventure. Make sure to pick up this book before you leave the library!

The main conflict in this action-packed book is that Flora is trying to find her true mother, who was supposed to have been killed by the evil Birdie overlords of Califa. Along the way, she meets Sieur Wraathmyr, an arrogant merchant who always seems to be getting in her way to finding her mother, Tiny Doom. Eventually, Flora learns to work with him and the two become friends. Together, they escape to the pirate island of Barbacoa. On the island, Flora meets her friend Udo who has accidentally been turned into the legendary troublemaker Springheel Jack. With the help of an octopus ghost and a pig, Udo attempts to win a battle against the evil Birdie who can turn himself into a panther, Espejo. However, Espejo runs out into the rain as a panther and starts running to Arivaipa Territory, where Flora believes Tiny Doom is hiding. Trying to beat Espejo to Arivaipa, Flora must travel via express mail. Who will reach Arivaipa first? Will Tiny Doom be everything Flora hoped? To find out, you must read the book!

I recommend Flora's Fury to middle school age people who like to read about adventures and supernatural occurrences because it might not be understood very well by younger people. However, it is a great idea to read the first and second books in the series before reading this book, in order to understand the events better. Have a great time reading this book!

Review written by Laura (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog Confound their Friends, Astound their Enemies, and Learn the Importance of Packing Light for this review.

Have you read Flora's Fury: How a Girl of Spirit and a Red Dog Confound their Friends, Astound their Enemies, and Learn the Importance of Packing Light? How would you rate it?