Review: Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives by Elizabeth Rusch

Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives by Elizabeth Rusch. A Scientists in the Field Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: June 2013
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780547503509

Review: It begins when a deadly sleeping volcano finally awakes, causing fatalities of over 20,000 victims. Scientists around the globe know something could have been done to warn people. Something has to be done. Elizabeth Rusch provides descriptive wording and text in Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives - an informative book in which two daring scientists develop an organization designed to evacuate a town when eruptions are imminent. Tom Uhlman brings the book to life with his intriguing photos.

Sleeping giants and lofty volcanoes are dotted all over the world, capable of wiping out businesses and entire towns and villages. VDAP, a small group of scientists, work 24/7 to protect lives and people from the colossal volcanoes on islands, continents, and other large bodies of land. They must be decisive. A mistake can mean death. Andy, a curious and brave volcanologist, must work with the other scientists to study volcanoes, and save lives if an eruption happens. To do this, they must be risky. They risk placing seismographs on the volcano. Evacuation holds it's own risk; the stress on the people may be too much. With all the danger and fear, entire cities are in their hands, now, and it will be their responsibility save them before the volcanoes destroy them.

Although this sounds like a fascinating book, some readers may not be enticed by Eruption!. It's disappointing how the author tries to make a story merge with the nonfiction information. It could have been engaging, but it detracts from the nonfiction. For some readers, however, the story might make the book more engaging. Something that is appealing is how Tom Uhlman's pictures bring the book to life. Andy and John are brave for studying the volcanoes, and their work can certainly be respected. The best audience for this book would range from 9 through 15. Overall, Eruption! is good for people who don't expect much action, but this book won't captivate others who want a lot of information about volcanoes or for students needing some research.

Review written by Vincent (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin for providing a copy of Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives for this review.

Have you read Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives? How would you rate it?

Review: Burton's Friendship Garden by V. A. Boeholt and Nathaniel Jensen

Burton's Friendship Garden by V. A. Boeholt and Nathaniel Jensen. A Burton the Scarecrow - Friendship Tales from the Farm Book.

Little Five Star
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $11.95
ISBN-13: 9781589852105

Review: Have you ever needed a little help from a friend? If you have, you will be able to relate to Farmer Green in Burton's Friendship Garden, a remarkable book written by V.A. Boeholt and illustrated by Nathaniel P. Jensen. Two scarecrows, a farmer and some animals are the main characters in Burton's Friendship Garden, the second book in the Friendship Tales from the Farm series.

One day Famer Green is getting prepared to plant his crops, but he decides to plant the seeds the following day and tells Burton the scarecrow as they say goodbye to each other .The next day Burton waits all day for Farmer Green, but he never come. The following day Burton sees a crow who says that he saw Farmer Green in bed with both of his legs wrapped in white stuff. Burton knows he must have gotten hurt. The scarecrows and the animals talk together to come up with a plan for helping Farmer Green. Will he ever be able to plant his seeds and be ready for the harvest?

Someone should read Burton's Friendship Garden to young children because it will help them learn to work together. Burton's Friendship Garden is appropriate for both boys and girls who are ready for slightly more advanced reading. The book is a bit long which might allow children to lose focus. It is nice that there is a glossary in the back of the book so younger readers can learn about the more difficult words. The talking animals are adorable, and the valuable lessons about teamwork, keeping your word, and friendship make this a perfect book for younger children.

Review written by Danessa (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Five Star Publishing for providing a copy of Burton's Friendship Garden for this review.

Have you read Burton's Friendship Garden? How would you rate it?

Review: Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vest, Sutures, and Parachute Rope by Bridget Heos

Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vest, Sutures, and Parachute Rope by Bridget Heos. A Scientists in the Field Book.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: February 2013
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780547681269

Review: Have you ever wondered about the value of spider webs and silk? Bridget Heos, the author of Stronger Than Steel, has written a non-fiction book to inform the readers about how silk is made. She also provides information on the various uses of silk webs and what creates them. Stronger Than Steel is part of series called Scientists in the Field.

Stronger Than Steel explains how silk can be found in nature. Dr. Randy Lewis and other scientists at the University of Wyoming try to study the golden orb weaver. A golden orb weaver is a spider that has strong silk. This spider produces silk webs that can be used to make bulletproof vests and parachute ropes. It can also be used to suture the brain, eyeball, spinal cord, and other body parts. The problem with getting silk from these spiders is that finding the webs in the wild is time consuming. It takes a lot of spider webs to get enough spider webs so scientists are injecting spider silk genes into goats. Does that sound crazy? It's hard to believe how many ways they are trying to produce silk. Lastly, experiments are being done with alfalfa to carry the spider silk genes. Will they find strong enough silk to hold a spider man action figure or better yet a human?

Stronger Than Steel taught me about the value of spider webs and how they be used. A girl may not like this book because of all the creepy crawlies that they talk about in the book. Although this would be a perfect book for boys that like spiders, silk worm and even goats Stronger Than Steel could be enjoyable for little kids because there are a lot of pictures that will entice younger children. This book is perfect for research papers, book reports, and simply for amusement because it has all that informational text about getting silk along with a story about how the scientist families help out in the research labs. If you are a lover of fictional stories, this book may not be for you, but it's certainly worth giving it a try. You might even find you like nonfiction better than you thought. Stronger Than Steel is a fantastic book; it has creepy crawlies and provides information in a great format. I recommend Stronger Than Steel to strong readers 11 and up.

Review written by Matthew (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vest, Sutures, and Parachute Rope for this review.

Have you read Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vest, Sutures, and Parachute Rope? How would you rate it?

Review: Pluto's Secret: An Icy World's Tale of Discovery by Margaret Weitekamp with David DeVorkin

Pluto's Secret: An Icy World's Tale of Discovery by Margaret Weitekamp with David DeVorkin.

Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 2013
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781419704239

Review: Have you ever heard about the interesting journey of the dwarf planet Pluto? Well, Pluto's Secret is an incredible and interesting book for kids! This informational story is written by Margaret A. Whitecap and David Devorkin and illustrated by Diane Kidd. Experience the tremendous adventure of amazing, icy world Pluto is told.

In this fantastic story, readers learn about the incredible journey of Pluto. Percival Lowell announced him as a ninth planet but Pluto wasn't very pleased with that idea, though he rather likes his name. He already knows he is different from the other planets; he just likes being recognized with his friends in the Kuiper's Belt. Read Pluto's Secret to find out if Pluto will become an official planet, or if he will become just another object that orbits the sun.

This book is really fun for learning because instead of reading some boring textbook about Pluto, readers go on a massive adventure. I personally loved this book because it is so entertaining. I mean Pluto is the name of the god in the underworld in mythology, which makes it even more interesting! The fact that this book is informational is even better because you can read it in school! I also loved how the authors made the planets people instead of objects because it adds emotions and character to them. Although some parts in the book are repetitive it is still a great story for! Read Pluto's Secret, gain some knowledge, and have a fun time!

Review written by Kenneth (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Abrams Books for providing a copy of Pluto's Secret: An Icy World's Tale of Discovery for this review.

Have you read Pluto's Secret: An Icy World's Tale of Discovery? How would you rate it?

Review: In a Blink by Kiki Thorpe

In a Blink by Kiki Thorpe. A Never Girls Novel.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2013
List Price: $5.99
ISBN-13: 9780736427944

Review: Anything can happen with faith, trust, and a little pixie dust! The Never Girls, In a Blink is a magical book and is the first book in a new series, The Never Girls, by Nikki Thorpe. The main characters of In a Blink are Kate and her friends. Kate is an adventurist who wants to be the first to come back to Never Land. They are all in the next book of the series.

One day, the girls find a fairy named Prilla and she takes them to Never Land by accident. Once they're there, a weather fairy tells the girls they can go home between the next sunrise and the next sunset. With pixie dust everyone can fly, everyone that is, except Kate, who can't seem to get off the ground. Kate meets a fairy named Vidia for a flying lesson. Vidia gives her a sock and says to fill it with pixie dust all the way up to the top. Kate knows that each fairy is only able to get one fairy-sized cup a day but does it anyway. Kate starts to fly when she puts some of the pixie dust on, and all of a sudden, Vidia disappears, along with the other pixie dust. When the other girls wake up they find that Kate is gone. All the fairies go and look for her. Will the fairies find Kate? Will the girls get home before they are stuck on Never Land Forever?

Never Girls, In a Blink is a must read for all young girls who love fairies and a story that is not only has mysterious fairies, but also has adventure and magic! The author's writing is interesting and although it begins slowly until they reached Never Land. It is intended for early chapter-book readers and is around 100 pages. In a Blink has a character that young girls can relate to and enjoy! Plus it also has fairies that, that may be familiar such as Tinker Bell, Queen Clarion, Terence and Vidia. Anyone who likes Peter Pan and Never Land you will love In a Blink, too! It doesn't have too many pictures in it like most beginner books do, but are not needed for comprehension. It is not a good book for boys of any age though, because, it is clearly geared towards girls. In a Blink has a cliffhanger at the end and starts back up in the next book, The Space Between. You should read it and enjoy it. You have to read the books to find out what happens next!

Review written by Katlyn (6th grade student).

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

Have you read In a Blink? How would you rate it?

Review: Junket is Nice by Dorothy Kunhardt

Junket is Nice by Dorothy Kunhardt.

The New York Review Children's Collection
Publication Date: July 2013
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781590176283

Review: One old huge man, with a giant red beard, wearing red slippers, and eating junket. One little boy riding a tricycle. What do they have in common? They are the main characters of Junket is Nice! Junket is Nice by Dorothy Kunhardt is intriguing to little children, and it makes the readers wonder what the old man is thinking about while he is eating his big bowl of junket.

Junket is Nice is about an old man eating junket in a big bowl while the whole world is trying to guess what he is thinking about. He offers to give something nice to anyone who guesses correctly. The old man gives a clue and names three things that he is not thinking about. While everyone is thinking, a little boy on his tricycle is also thinking how hilarious the people are because the people are guessing so many wrong answers. While the little boy is always thinking about what the right answer is. When the little boy guesses the right answer the whole world is jealous of that little boy.

Dorothy Kunhardt is an excellent children's book author. She has kids thinking that guessing is difficult and that you have to use your powers of observation to infer information. The book also tells the readers that sometimes the right answer is very simple and that we do not have to guess in order to find the correct answer. Finally Junket is Nice is an excellent book because even without the pictures you can really see what Dorothy Kunhardt is trying to imagine like the beard on the man's face, the magnitude of his size, and basically everything in the book. This is a good, short read, or a read aloud book. I recommended Junket is Nice for children ages 4-6 or for beginning readers.

Review written by Jarred (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Junket is Nice for this review.

Have you read Junket is Nice? How would you rate it?

Review: Gifts for Kids to Make by Cheryl Owen

Gifts for Kids to Make by Cheryl Owen. A Craft Library Book.

Hamlyn
Publication Date: August 2005
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780600615026

Review: Fridge magnets, beeswax candles, white chocolate truffles! Gifts for Kids to Make by Cheryl Owen, is a perfect book to spend a Sunday at grandma's house creating and expanding the possibilities of your own imagination. The book has six chapters of enjoyable crafts and gifts that will pleasure anyone that receives one. The chapters in the book range from bric-a-brac starting on page 8 to edible treats ending on page 119. This book is just one of the innovative and witty creations that The Craft Library has shaped over time.

Gifts for Kids to Make has an extensive variety of projects that will suite a child's interests or personality. The crafts range from clay figures to sewing to making your own recipe. The book comes with useful tips for each craft to make things easier. It also comes with vibrant photographs that show the step-by-step process of making the craft through the beginning, middle, and end stages. A unique feature of this book is that it comes with examples of variations of the same craft. This encourages the child to make it their own. For each project there is a helpful side bar listing all the items required. Additionally, in the back of the book there are some handy templates that you can use for your project. For example, there are cut outs for anything from frogs and pig's heads to leaves and butterflies.

There are some great qualities of this book but there are some things I would have changed. I liked the crafts; anyone would enjoy receiving one as a gift. Kids would love to make these crafts because they are colorful, fun, and pretty easy. The pictures are attractive and helpful. The price per project is reasonable. This Gifts for Kids to Make is unique in that an adult would actually love to receive one of these crafts as a gift. The layout is simple and easy to follow even a four year old could understand it. Even though that is true a twelve year old would enjoy this book too. Although the Gifts for Kids to Make is better then most there are a few errors that need improvement. Several crafts might be confusing and would require adult guidance. Also, when the on every craft page it says a age grope that would apply to that particular craft can be a little to restrict. Like one craft could say that the appropriate age is 4-6 but I think that the craft could be for older ages too. Another potential flaw is that the crafts are most appealing to girls then boys. Some of the materials that are needed are difficult to find. Some materials are specialty store items such as baking clay, dried lavender, and red cosmetic coloring. All in all this is an excellent craft book and I would recommend buying it. It is both fun for kids to make and parents to enjoy. You will just have to read Gifts for Kids to Make to find out more incredible crafts that Cheryl Owen has created.

Review written by Jamie (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Gifts for Kids to Make for this review.

Have you read Gifts for Kids to Make? How would you rate it?

Review: Now Open the Box by Dorothy Kunhardt

Now Open the Box by Dorothy Kunhardt.

The New York Review Children's Collection
Publication Date: September 2013
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781590177082

Review: My dearest little Peewee what will happen to you? Dorothy Kunhardt renowned as author of Pat the bunny wrote a new adventure Now Open The Box is about Peewee, the little joyful red dog and the circus! But what will happen when Peewee grows will it affect the whole circus?

Now Open The Box is a book about the littlest, cutest dog in the world Peewee and he stars in a circus. Even though Peewee doesn't know any tricks people still come to see the most, adorable little dog they'd ever seen. But when Peewee starts to grow does the ring master have to make a shocking choice and have Peewee be forced to leave the circus and say goodbye to all his friends the fat lady, the thin man the elephants and so many more of his friends? But what will happen to the circus will they be forced to close down the circus because they have no main attraction? Find out in Now Open The Box.

I liked that fact that Dorothy Kunhardt used age appropriate words for the readers because 2 year olds would love this. I also liked that they came up with some creative illustrations for the characters for the circus from the lady hanging in the air just by her nose tied to rope to the donkey with two head. They are colorful pictures that two year olds would love. The characters are also very creative like a strong little baby, a very tall but thin man and so much more! Now Open The Box is perfect for little toddlers in fact I read the book to my little sister and she loved it after I finished it she asked me to read it again. Then once I was finished the seconded time, done she got toys and pretended it was a circus. So toddlers would be the perfect audience for this book. So if you read this to toddlers I think they would love just like my little sister. Also if you are looking for a book that demonstrates that things can get better or to always look at the bright side of life, this is the book you are looking for.

Review written by Ian (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy of Now Open the Box for this review.

Have you read Now Open the Box? How would you rate it?

Review: Wild Horse Scientists by Kay Frydenborg

Wild Horse Scientists by Kay Frydenborg. A Scientists in the Field Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: November 2012
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780547518312

Review: Opening a book, with such knowledge and details was surely at first, a great surprise. Kay Frydenborg, author of Wild Horse Scientists, has reopened minds to the world of wild horses. Learning about what they eat, how to tell them apart, and describing their lifestyle and the dangers they face, truly catches the reader's eye. This book is one of the Scientists in the Field Books.

Going into the adventurous life of Dr. Ron Keiper, an ethologist, and Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick, wildlife reproductive physiologist, helping horses everywhere. Through the unfathomable summers, and bone- chilling winters, and the stress of creating the now miraculous medicine that has saves thousands of valuable horse lives. Digging for fossils and mining through old caves, searching old decaying bones and miraculous births, a story of untold adventure awaits any reader who picks up this book.

Wild Horse Scientists is intended for fourth grade readers and above, due to large words, it is best for stronger readers. As long as you love horses, you will love this exciting book. Going through the life of horses, standing side by side with their packs, anyone can definitely count on reading this book a couple hundred times. In the book you will be learning about the handsome boy colt that will grow to be even more beautiful adult, and the two young female colts and how they survive the hardships of life. Learning how to differentiate a pony from a horse, to learning how to tell the same color animals apart by bands. Wild Horse Scientists is an amazing book, one which I will definitely read again! The world of horses and adventure awaits go grab it.

Review written by Emily (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Wild Horse Scientists? How would you rate it?

Review: Lighting Our World With a Year of Celebrations by Lighting Our World With a Year of Celebrations

Lighting Our World With a Year of Celebrations by Lighting Our World With a Year of Celebrations.

Kids Can Press
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $17.95
ISBN-13: 9781554535941

Review: The holidays Las Fallas, Carnival, Holi and Walpurgis Night are just some of the holidays read about in Catherine Rondia's book Lighting Our World A Year of Celebrations.

Lighting Our World A Year of Celebrations has some interesting details about different holidays that countries celebrate. For example in India the Hindus celebrate a holiday called Diwali. The festival during Diwali honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, luck and happiness. They use special decorations to invite Lakshmi into their homes. They put candles around their shops and temples. Hindus believe that Lakshmi will visit the house with the brightest lights. A visit from her means good luck for the whole year.

Overall Lighting our World A Year of Celebrations is an engaging way to demonstrate holidays from countries around the world. Lighting our World A Year of Celebrations by Catherine Rondia and illustrated by Jacqui Oakley has great detail in the words and illustrations featured in the book. Rondia shares information, which is not boring, but instead in a way that is fun to read. Also she provides important details what she writes about the holidays. Oakley illustrations powerfully represent the holidays that are featured in Lighting our World A Year of Celebrations. Also her illustrations make the reader feel as if they are celebrating these holidays. This book is an easy read and is about 30 pages. It would not only be interesting for readers, but it would be a good resource book for students. In conclusion, I enjoyed Lighting Our World, which would also be appreciated by all ages.

Review written by Elizabeth (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of Lighting Our World With a Year of Celebrations for this review.

Have you read Lighting Our World With a Year of Celebrations? How would you rate it?

Review: Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times: From Dinosaurs to the Stone Age by Andrew Fox & John Skewes

Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times: From Dinosaurs to the Stone Age by Andrew Fox & John Skewes. A Larry Gets Lost Book.

Sasquatch Book
Publication Date: August 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9781570618628

Review: ROAR! What was that? Was it a dinosaur? Dinosaurs come to life in, Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times by Andrew Fox and John Skewes. The main character is Larry, the dog, who loves his owner, Pete. Larry loves when Pete reads him a book, and sometimes Larry dozes off into a new world.

On a sundrenched day, Pete is reading a book to Larry. While Pete reads, Larry snoozes off into a land bursting with dinosaurs! Larry runs around, trying to find his way home and finds all varieties of dinosaurs along his way, like small plant eating dinos to a big and scary Tyrannosaurus. Larry is terrified. To get home, he travels through different eras, too. From the amazing Mesozoic Era to the freezing Ice Age, each one is packed with adventure; but will Larry ever get home to Pete?

Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times is a very fun book. First of all, it is suitable for young children. It is an entertaining and calm book to read and young children will adore it. Another point is that it gives facts about dinosaurs, which makes it an educational book too. Each dinosaur that Larry comes across has facts to accompany the story. Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times is also an enjoyable read aloud book because both adults and children will enjoy reading the book together. It is best for young readers to have the story read aloud because of the difficult pronunciations. Overall, this is a very charming book for young children to read and I recommend any young child who adores dinosaurs to read Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times

.

Review written by Julia (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Sasquatch Books for providing a copy of Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times: From Dinosaurs to the Stone Age for this review.

Have you read Larry Gets Lost in Prehistoric Times: From Dinosaurs to the Stone Age? How would you rate it?

Review: Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seamon

Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seamon.

Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9781616202606

Review: When everything in life goes badly, it's only logical to place blame somewhere. For Richard Casey, a spunky teenager who is awaiting his last days in the hospice unit, there is only one culprit - the "Big Dude." In Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seamon, Richie is determined to make his last days count!

Richie has lived through it all - chemotherapy, radiation, surgery after surgery, but he finds as he faces the end that he really hasn't lived at all. Determined to make up for all the lost days ahead of him, he embarks on a journey to truly live. Then Sylvie, a sixteen-year-old patient across the hall throws a wrench in his plans as she, too, wants to live - at least until she is taken away for good. Together they grow up, face the world, and even face their fate. Richie's lust for adventure and self-discovery alongside Sylvie's drive for love bring about the wonders of life, but they also create the wall that is forced eventually to divide them.

Somebody Up There Hates You is a unique coming-of-age novel where the author shares a glimpse into the life of a teen whose fate has already been decided. Not only is the sadness shared, but also the humor and need to feel alive. Richie is presented in such a way where readers are drawn in instantly. His raunchy, funny, and authority-challenging character appeals to teens, and readers quickly forget he's dying. His frankness from which he views life makes a depressing topic exciting. "Hey, I'm totally reliable, sweartogod. I, Richard Casey - aka the Incredible Dying Boy - actually do live, temporarily, in the very hospice unit I'm going to tell you about." Richie's goal by his end is to experience "it all", and although authority figures try to stand in his way with every roll of the wheelchair he makes, his determination (along with Sylvie's determination) make "growing up" in the face of death actually possible. This life-affirming novel will make readers laugh and cry as they see that life is worth living - even if it's only for a short while.

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

We would like to thank Algonquin Young Readers for providing a copy of Somebody Up There Hates You for this review.

Have you read Somebody Up There Hates You? How would you rate it?

Review: Grasshopper Magic by Lynne Jonell

Grasshopper Magic by Lynne Jonell. A Magical Mix-Ups Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 2013
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870842

Review: Derek looked at him sideways. 'Your not scared are you?' Abner scowled. Of course he wasn't scared.

'We'll come with you part of the way,' Tate said."

Abner is the main character of Lynne Jonell's magical story titled Grasshopper Magic. Abner is intelligent and he does what he must to help someone in need. This book was written by the creative author Lynne Jonell and artistic illustrator Brandon Dorman. There are two more books in this charming series, which includes, Hamster Magic and Lawn Mower Magic. Grasshopper Magic is the third book in the series.

Abner, the second oldest child in his large family is not courageous at all. He must dress up like an old famous relative to celebrate for a town festival. But, he doesn't like big crowds and he hates speaking in front of thousands of people. He has to look strong and invincible while riding a stunning horse through Main Street. Abner has never done anything heroic before in his life. His three supportive siblings try to help him become brave before the festival arrives. Some time ago, a deep underground magic has done many bizarre things in the four children's lives. They must face this powerful magic, grownups, annoying babies, and more to accomplish Abner's problem. Abner must, somehow become the person he wants to be. But what problem will he need to face in order to be brave?

I thoroughly enjoyed Grasshopper Magic! The setting makes the story very interesting and enhances the action parts. I would love to be friends with Abner because we are quite alike. Abner is almost the same age as me and he is very smart. Abner is very unique. Lynne Jonell's writing style has made this book very suspenseful, like when he wrote "'No,' said Abner. 'I don't want to do it." What doesn't he want to do? Read the book to find out! Grasshopper Magic is a great book for younger boys or girls between ages 7-9. Although it begins very slowly, it doesn't take long for it to get cheerful and suspenseful. Grasshopper Magic is told in 1st person and that makes the story not confusing, but exciting. This story showed me that no matter who or what you are, you are brave and you can do anything if you try your hardest. Be who you can be!

Review written by Ada (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Grasshopper Magic? How would you rate it?