Review: Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City by Wendelin Van Draanen

Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City by Wendelin Van Draanen. A Sammy Keyes Mystery.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870538

Review: Adventure, mystery, and humorous are three words that describe this outstanding book. This book is Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City, by Wendelin Van Draanen. This is a book that is part of a series, and the series is called Sammy Keyes. As you are reading you will witness the extraordinary things that Sammy Keyes will do to find out answers to all her questions.

Sammy Keyes is nonstop in solving mysteries, but when it comes to solving mysteries in her own life there are some problems. She still has a bunch of questions not even close to being answered. Some questions are, who is my dad, is my mom really gong to marry my boyfriend's dad, how long is it going to be until someone finds out I'm living in my grandmother's room in a seniors- only building. Now, during an insane weekend in Las Vegas, Sammy Keyes just might find out the answers to all her questions. Will Sammy Keyes finally find out the answers to her questions?

Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City has individual characters that made me want to keep reading. It teaches you how to solve mysteries, while adding some twists and turns on the way. Some ways it teaches you how to solve mysteries is that, you should ask people if they have seen or heard about anything that you are looking for. This book is for all audiences, but someone who is really in a problem and needs to figure some things out will especially appreciate the extremely intelligent information this book issues. Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City deserves five stars because it is full of action that will make you want to keep reading.

Review written by Katie (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City for this review.

Have you read Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City? How would you rate it?

Review: Growing Up Muslim by Sumbul Ali-Karamali

Growing Up Muslim by Sumbul Ali-Karamali.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385740951

Review: What is it like to be Muslim? In Islam, children are raised very differently than in America. In Sumul Ali-Karamali's Growing up Muslim, you can find out what it's like to be Muslim. The book is divided into 3 sections, Muslim Beliefs and Practices (or, what it's like to grow up Muslim in California), When did Islam start and how did it develop, and Modern Muslim Demographics. It is a guide to the Muslim religion called the Qur'an, which is a book that most Muslims follow.

There is an interesting story regarding a poor family that has sewn 40 silver coins into their son's jacket. When the family is traveling on public transportation, some thugs come and rob everyone on the bus. The robbers see the boy and they asked him if he has anything. The boy replies with "Yes," and shows the coins to them. Then the robbers asked why he told them about the coins. The boy responds by saying that if he lied, he would lie to God.

I loved Growing Up Muslim. It was amazing to have a different perspective on life. I did not know about anything about Muslims and their culture until I read this book, I realized after reading it that my mind was filled with misconceptions about the Muslim people. This showed me a whole new life and how some Muslims actually live. Now I have a whole new appreciation for the Muslim culture. The story about truth and honesty caught me by surprise too. This book is great for anyone learning about another culture.

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Growing Up Muslim for this review.

Have you read Growing Up Muslim? How would you rate it?

Review: Zigzag Zoom by Patricia Reilly Giff

Zigzag Zoom by Patricia Reilly Giff. The Final Book in the Zigzag Series.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385742757

Review: Funny, adventurous, and athletic are just three words to describe an outstanding book - Zigzag Zoom by Patricia Reilly Giff, illustrated by Alasdair Bright. Zigzag Zoom is part of the Zigzag Kids series. As you are reading along, you will witness Gina attempt to get out of a running race.

Gina goes to Zigzag Afternoon Center, and their mascot is the Zigzag Zebras. The Zigzag Zebras are going against the Timpanzi Tigers in a running race, and everyone at Gina's afternoon center thinks she is the best! Gina knows she would be way better at singing than running, and she knows Sumiko is the best. But she doesn't know how to convince them. The Zebras are getting ready, doing whatever they can to practice: running in the field, up and down the stairs, and running down the hallway after afternoon center is over. They have to win! But how?

Zigzag Zoom has unique characters that will make readers want to keep reading! It teaches life lessons, but in an exciting way. Readers will learn that they can't be good at everything, but that they will never know if they don't try. The book is good for all audiences, but people who have a big race, or event coming up will appreciate the well-rounded ideas of this outstanding book, particularly for early chapter-book readers. For someone who is having trouble with an activity that they are doing or need ideas for raising money, they can really receive some good information from this book. Zigzag Zoom deserves 4 stars, because it is lively and action packed, which will make you want to keep reading!

Review written by Katie (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Zigzag Zoom? How would you rate it?

Review: The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385743013

Review: Have you ever had magic chocolate that can make you live forever? In the book the Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop, written by Kate Saunders, that's what the evil gang wants. It's up to Oz, Lily, Caydon, Demerara (a talking cat), and Spike (a talking rat) to protect the chocolate, and keep the evil gang from changing chocolate forever!

When Oz and Lily move into a new house over summer vacation, helping a government agency was the last thing they expected. They realize that there's a new event around every turn. They learn secrets that not even their parents know about. Eventually they discover the three uncles who were the magic chocolate makers. But, one became evil and killed his brothers with the intention of taking over the world - or at least, he does at first. Oz and Lily get help from a boy named Caydon. Even though Caydon doesn't know how he could help, Demerara knows he was useful. But as the adventure goes, on everyone realizes that they have an important part in the mission, even if they didn't think so at first.

I really liked The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop. Once you think that the problems have been solved and everything is better, another problem comes out of nowhere. This book held my interest the whole time I was reading, not once did I feel like the book was getting boring or that I wasn't excited to continue reading, and I never wanted to stop. I recommend this book to girls in 6th and 7th grades. I thought it was cool how this book has different characters like a talking cat and rat, witches, and magic chocolate makers. There aren't many characters like that in most books. I really like Oz and Lily. I like Oz because he's clever, helpful, and confident. I like Lily because she's nice, caring, and helpful. But she also has dyslexia, and that makes things a lot harder for her but she never gives up. I really enjoyed The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop; it's full of adventure. It was very entertaining and fun to read.

Review written by Lindsey (6th grade student).

Have you read The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop? How would you rate it?

Review: Frogged by Vivian Vande Velde

Frogged by Vivian Vande Velde.

Harcourt Childrens Books
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547942155

Review: Can you imagine what it would be like to be a frog? Frogged written by Vivian Vande Velde is a great book that gives readers a glimpse into the life of a frog. Princess Imogene's life changes, when a boy tricks her into kissing him. That's when it happens, and she turns into a frog! Imogene has never been a frog before, so she doesn't know what to do. She just wants to go home.

After Imogene becomes a frog, she realized that a spell by a witch is what caused her transformation. The only way to turn back to normal is to kiss someone else who would then become a frog in her place. When she sets out to find the witch, a huge misunderstanding occurs. A group of boys and a girl that perform a traveling acting show don't believe that Imogene is actually a princess. They make her a part of their group. That is a big problem for Imogene because the longer she is with them, the farther she gets from her home. During the story she tries many times to escape, but it doesn't work out.

I really enjoyed Frogged. Just when you think everything is back to normal, something happens that messes everything up. This book has so many twists and turns that it seemed like the problems would never get solved. I never wanted to stop reading; it held my interest the whole time. I recommend this book to middle school girls. The larger quantity of characters make the story more interesting because the more characters, the more conflict. I also liked the setting of this story because it's different. Instead of happening in a random town like most stories, it happens in a kingdom. I really like Princess Imogene in this book because she is sneaky but truthful at the same time, plus she is also nice. She's smart and clever and has so many character traits that I can't even name them all. Frogged is an interesting story about becoming a frog. This book was really fun to read, and I really liked it.

Review written by Lindsey (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Frogged? How would you rate it?

Review: The Abandoned by Paul Gallico

The Abandoned by Paul Gallico.

The New York Chilren's Collection
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $15.95
ISBN-13: 9781590176269

Review: Two stray cats, one adventure, and danger around every corner face Peter in The Abandoned by Paul Gallico. First, the main character is an eight-year old boy named Peter. His father is a Colonel in the army and his Mother is always busy and out places so he is stuck with his nanny. Peter loves cats. The only problem is that his nanny doesn't like cats so he cannot keep one. Peter lives in a small flat in something called a Mews. The house is off of Cavendish Square in London. The story begins as Peter is waking up after being knocked out in an accident. When he is at the hospital, strange things happen and once he gets ahold of himself, he sees that he is not in the hospital anymore and he is a cat. This changes Peter's life completely and he is faced with new challenges, a new adventure, and a new friend.

Although I did not enjoy The Abandoned, people with imagination, lots of creativity, and who like fantasy books and like cats would love it. I like the setting of the story because it kind of goes with the mood of the book. The mood of the book is sad at some times and happy at other times. Whenever the mood changes, the setting changes. The setting is well explained and so are the characters. It is well written would definitely appeal to that audience. I recommend this book to any fan of fantasy.

Review written by Justin (6th grade student).

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

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

Review: Good Night Baseball by Michael Dahl

Good Night Baseball by Michael Dahl. A Sports Illustrated Kids Book.

Capstone Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2013
List Price: $14.95
ISBN-13: 9781623700003

Review: Have you ever dreamed of catching a fly ball at a professional baseball game? Good Night baseball by Michael Dahl is a very cute read. This little boy is going to a baseball game in a big stadium and is very excited. When he gets there he sees tons of fans and friends all going into the stadium.

It all starts when a boy and his father go to a baseball game and they see tons of people come from all over to see the game. They choose their seats carefully so they get a good view of the stadium they eat stadium food and then whack! The ball is going going gone right into the mitt of one very lucky fan.

Good Night Baseball by Michael Dahl is a good story for little kids to use as a bed time story. For parents it's a nice short book to read to kids. Also I think it is a cute read because it rhymes. I'd recommend this book for 1st graders to 2rd graders to read with a bit of assistance but moms could read it to younger kids. I give Good Night Baseball 5 stars because it really gives you the real feeling like you're at the game.

Review written by Karissa (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Good Night Baseball for this review.

Have you read Good Night Baseball? How would you rate it?

Review: Lenny Cyrus School Virus by Joe Schreiber

Lenny Cyrus School Virus by Joe Schreiber.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780547893150

Review: There is a boy named Lenny Cyrus who has a big crush on a girl named Zooey and has a best friend named Harlan. He also has created a virus that infected the whole middle school with his own knowledge. You might be thinking, "How could a boy infect everybody at school?" Well with all the knowledge he has, it would be pretty easy in Lenny Cyrus School Virus by Joe Schreiber.

Lenny Cyrus is a kid in middle school with two Nobel Prize winning parents. He also has a photographic memory. But none of that can prepare him for dealing with girls! , So he can remember a lot of things. He has a huge crush on this girl, Zooey Andrews, and has had one since he was 8. And when they first met, it was when she was defending him from a bully. From that point on she liked her, but he never knew if she liked him back and was just too nervous and shy too ask her or even talk too her. Today she is still at her school and is directing her own play that is a musical with horror with Christmas, called Escape Claus. His friend Harlan was his very best friend and only friend, but Harlan has helped Lenny through the rough times he has went through.

Since he really likes Zooey Andrews and he was really smart, he decided to make a machine to shrink himself and go inside the her body to go to her brain and make her love him. During the adventure he gets help from some bacteria and other virus to get him to the brain through the blood stream. Also, because of Lenny, she has to miss her own play because of this virus that Lenny has caused because of what he does and it could infect the whole school. You'll just have to find out in Lenny Cyrus School Virus. Now, with Lenny's brilliance, he creates a virus that he hopes will bring him closer to Zooey and convince her to love him. But, can a virus ever really be good?

Lenny Cyrus School Virus by Joe Schreiber is a really good book with a lot of interesting points in the book. The book also has a lot of details, which helped imagine the book even though it had very few pictures. Lenny Cyrus also made the book learn in a story about bacteria and other germs in your body. The book also has points where there are a lot of words that most younger people will not understand. But, overall the book is very good.

Review written by Luis (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Lenny Cyrus School Virus for this review.

Have you read Lenny Cyrus School Virus? How would you rate it?

Review: Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat! by Dana Meachen Rau

Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat! by Dana Meachen Rau.

Capstone Young Readers
Publication Date: February 2013
List Price: $12.95
ISBN-13: 9781623700065

Review: Colorful, cute, easy, and fun! The kid's cookbook by Dana Meachen Rau Dessert Designer is brilliant, and definitely original! The cupcakes, cookies, candies, and cakes are wonderful. I would have never thought that such splendid things could be madeÉ with frosting!

Dessert Designer contains an organized template for creating desserts. It starts with descriptions of essential tools for these projects such as bags, rolling pins, a hammer (to crush candy), parchment paper, kitchen shears (scissors for food), and lollipop sticks. Recipes are categorized by the type of dessert. The desserts range from quick and easy gumdrop monsters, to elaborately detailed pool party cakes.

The vibrant colors and imagination in the treats are inspiring. Every treat looks too beautiful to eat, and that is quite the compliment for a chef. Also, the step-by-step instructions are equally appealing. The instructions could, however, be more detailed. For people who have not done previous arts and crafts, like duct tape roses, the instructions might make some of the projects difficult to make. But, the book is still overall appealing. The food Dana shows is cute and great for kids, both girls and boys. That is because there are creations ranging from volcanoes and monsters to purses and flowers. Nonetheless, I feel like the target audience is younger girls, between eight and thirteen years old. However, there should be parent supervision for the occasional recipe that requires the use of the oven or a hammer, just for safety. Most of the creations don't need complicated tools, though. Dessert Designer has descriptive instructions with inspiring pictures worth a thousand words. Like Dana Meachen Rau says, "Bring your toy to the table and have some fun playing with your food."

Review written by Allie (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat! for this review.

Have you read Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat!? How would you rate it?

Review: Infatuate by Aimee Agresti

Infatuate by Aimee Agresti. A Guilded Wings Novel.

Harcourt Childrens Books
Publication Date: March 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780547626154

Review: Angels, trouble, and love. Those words describe every bit of Infatuate written by Aimee Agresti. Haven, Lance, and Dante have to learn how to survive when demons are after them.

Haven, Lance, and Dante go to New Orleans for an angel "camp", and once they get there they learn not everything is going to be fun and games. There are people out in the world trying to kill them, demons. Haven and the others have to learn how to control their powers, as well as the others. Being in New Orleans is dangerous especially when demons are after you. This isn't the first time Haven has encountered demons, back in Chicago is where it all started. But first Haven and the rest of the angels have to defeat the demons so they can live their live as full angels. Connor, the angel's counselor, helps them prepare for the evil that lies before them. Haven must decide if she can trust Lucian again because he says he's good but he's on the bad side. Yet this isn't the beginning of the story, read to find out all the details on relationships and survival of Haven and her friends.

I really loved this book because when you read it, it seems like you are Haven. The author uses secondary details to describe the primary details and it makes the story even more interesting. I would recommend this book for 4th grade or higher because this story is intense in some parts, such as when they are fighting or other things. If someone has an interest in angels then this book and series is meant for you. When you read this story you will feel just like the characters feel: sad, mad, angry, depressed, excited, and happy. Infatuate shows imagination but isn't too fantasy-like that you feel as in none of this could be real. This story in realistic fiction because the angels and demons are fantasy but the conflicts and feelings can happen any day. Overall Infatuate is amazing because it has exceptional details and it has an amazing setting and plot; and it's just a great story all around.

Review written by Skyler (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin for providing a copy of Infatuate for this review.

Have you read Infatuate? How would you rate it?

Review: The Vine Basket by Josanne La Valley

The Vine Basket by Josanne La Valley.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547848013

Review: In, out, under and over, twisting and turning to make a beautiful basket. Vine Basket by Josanne La valley tells a story about a Uyghur girl who has a special talent for making baskets.

Merighul has always loved making baskets. One day, at the market, a foreign lady comes to the market. She sees Merighul's basket and buys it. She gives her 100 Yuan for it. This is a lot of money for Merighul's family, who doesn't make a lot of money. The foreign woman tells her that she will be back in 3 weeks and wants to buy more baskets from her. Merighul is determined to make a couple baskets that she will love. Each time she tries she is blocked by another obstacle. A horrible father who wastes the 100-yuan, injured hands, a huge sandstorm, and a withdrawn mother all stop her from creating her baskets. When all hope is lost, her grandfather gives her a special gift.

The Vine Basket is perfect. I love learning about other cultures but I don't like reading boring factual books. This book taught me about the Uyghur culture while it told a great story. It really compelled me to keep reading. I give this story 5 out of 5 stars because it is an interesting story. The author is very descriptive with the baskets. I like how Merighul is like most girls her age. Determined, hardworking, but doesn't always believe in herself. By the end, Merighul is an example for all girls her age. This is a really outstanding book.

Review written by Lilia (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Vine Basket? How would you rate it?

Review: Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder; adapted for young people by Michael French

Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder; adapted for young people by Michael French.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385743181

Review: There are many people suffering, and dying. Why? All this is happening because of lack of medicine, and treatment. Your family, and neighbors are all sick, and there is no help. The conditions in the developing countries are only getting worse instead of getting better. All seems dark and lost, but a brave, intelligent, and giving man spends his life helping in a few countries. Tracy Kidder wrote Mountains Beyond Mountains, a book about a world that needs attention, and that world is Earth. Will the people get help?

Is there mercy, help or does anyone even care? Well, this is what Paul Farmer does; he helps and cares for everybody, especially the poor. Most people in rich countries take a lot for granted, but what we don't know is that we are the lucky ones, and should help. We take things like school and medicine for granted, also we don't even think there could be places in the world without these "luxuries" living horrible and terrifying conditions that no human being ever deserves. Paul Farmer goes to one of the best colleges in the U.S.A. He have a beautiful life in peace, but he chooses not to be rich or prosper and instead he goes to other countries in the world that need help. All looks lost, but with his help will the world be cured?

Mountains Beyond Mountains is a great book. It feels like you are actually there breathing, but it is also kind of sad. Paul Farmer is an interesting character. He is a person anybody would want to be like. He is kind, respectful, and generous. Plus he has such devotion that he only sleeps 4 hours a night because there are people who need his help? The settings are interesting because it takes places in many different countries, so readers gain a respect and understanding of other parts of the world. Every person should read Mountains Beyond Mountains because it shows how one person can change the world. This amazing and inspirational book is appropriate for middle school and high school readers because of the challenging content. I yearned to keep on reading to find out if Paul Farmer would cure all the people. All in all, Mountains Beyond Mountains is an excellent book because it is so well written that readers feel like you are there experiencing the pain of others and living in a world that no wealthy country can imagine.

Review written by Omar (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World for this review.

Have you read Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World? How would you rate it?

Review: Strike Three You're Dead by Josh Berk

Strike Three You're Dead by Josh Berk.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870088

Review: Do you like to read books about mystery and crime? Do you like books about sports? If you do, then Strike Three You're Dead is the book for you. Strike Three You're Dead is about a kid, Lenny, and his friends who try out for an armchair announcer contest for a baseball game. When the boy wins, he goes to the stadium and watches his favorite player pitch. Unfortunately, the pitcher collapses on the ground, dead, when he seemed perfectly healthy before. Then Lenny and his friends try to find out who murdered himÉ

I liked this book for two reasons: I love baseball, and Strike Three Your Dead has a great crime investigation, and it has a lot of suspense. The book is really interesting, and it has a lot of details. My favorite part of the book is when Lenny and his friends have a strange and exciting encounter at the mall. Strike Three You're Dead is great for 5th grade through 7th grade readers.

Review written by Noah (6th grade student).

Have you read Strike Three You're Dead? How would you rate it?