Review: Curious George Fire Dog Rescue by H. A. Ray

Curious George Fire Dog Rescue by H. A. Ray. A CGTV Reader.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $3.99
ISBN-13: 9780544503205

Review: Do you love chapter books with comic-like pictures? What about books about craft fairs and making friends? If you do, then Just Grace Gets Crafty by Charise Mericle Harper is the book for you.

Just Grace Gets Crafty is about a girl named Grace (Everyone calls her Just Grace) who loves to draw. One day, Just GraceÕs friend Mimi tells her about the craft fair. Mimi says that they will be able to keep the money they make to bring to the county fair. Just Grace is excited but she is not very good at crafts. Will Grace be able to help Mimi make crafts to sell at the fair?

Just Grace Gets Crafty is suitable for an audience of elementary school readers. Grace is a very kind person who tries to solve all of her problems. Just Grace Gets Crafty has Just GraceÕs drawings on the pages to help tell the story. The drawings look a lot like drawings or cartoons that were drawn by a person like Just Grace. Just Grace Gets Crafty is an easier chapter book to read although it might have some harder words for newer readers. I enjoyed reading Just Grace Gets Crafty and I think you will as well.

Review written by Ansh (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Curious George Fire Dog Rescue for this review.

Have you read Curious George Fire Dog Rescue? How would you rate it?

Review: Just Grace Gets Crafty by Charise Mercile Harper

Just Grace Gets Crafty by Charise Mercile Harper. A Just Grace Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $5.99
ISBN-13: 9780544582378

Review: Do you love chapter books with comic-like pictures? What about books about craft fairs and making friends? If you do, then Just Grace Gets Crafty by Charise Mericle Harper is the book for you.

Just Grace Gets Crafty is about a girl named Grace (Everyone calls her Just Grace) who loves to draw. One day, Just GraceÕs friend Mimi tells her about the craft fair. Mimi says that they will be able to keep the money they make to bring to the county fair. Just Grace is excited but she is not very good at crafts. Will Grace be able to help Mimi make crafts to sell at the fair?

Just Grace Gets Crafty is suitable for an audience of elementary school readers. Grace is a very kind person who tries to solve all of her problems. Just Grace Gets Crafty has Just GraceÕs drawings on the pages to help tell the story. The drawings look a lot like drawings or cartoons that were drawn by a person like Just Grace. Just Grace Gets Crafty is an easier chapter book to read although it might have some harder words for newer readers. I enjoyed reading Just Grace Gets Crafty and I think you will as well.

Review written by Jessica (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Just Grace Gets Crafty for this review.

Have you read Just Grace Gets Crafty? How would you rate it?

Review: The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski

The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: October 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780544416864

Review: Do you like fantasy books with awesome characters? What about books with pages full of detailed pictures? If you do, then The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski is the right book for you.

The Whisperis about a little girl who finds a special looking book in her classroom at school. After taking the book home, the girl, sadly, finds that there are no words in the book. Then, the girl hears a whisper in her ear. The whisper tells her to create her own stories using the pictures. As she turns each page, she makes a new story.

The Whisper is a book primarily intended for young children who can read or as a read aloud book. The Whisper has pictures on every page and has a more difficult vocabulary for young ones just learning to read. The Whisper is full of imagination and has very colorful and detailed pictures. The pictures are very fantasy like. I believe the moral of the story is even though you donÕt know what to do, you can rely on your imagination. I enjoyed reading The Whisper, and I think you will too.

Review written by Jessica (6th grade student).

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

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

Review: The Rosmary Spell by Virginia Zimmerman

The Rosmary Spell by Virginia Zimmerman.

Clarion Books
Publication Date: December 2015
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780544445376

Review: Do you love books about magic and mystery? What about stories with strange old books? If you do, then you will love the book The Rosemary Spell by Virginia Zimmerman.

The Rosemary Spell is about a girl named Rosemary and her two friends Adam and Shelby. All of them love books and always read together. One day, Rosemary and Adam find a very, very old book in RosemaryÕs house. They think the book could be magic, but Shelby does not believe them. When Shelby goes missing, Rosemary and Adam know that something about this book is special. They go on a frantic quest to bring Shelby back.The Rosemary Spell is primarily intended for a middle school audience, although adults would like it as well. Rosemary is a very determined person and makes sure that she and Adam stay focused during their quest. The Rosemary Spell is written in the first person. Rosemary is the person talking throughout the whole story. The Rosemary Spell has no pictures and a more difficult vocabulary. The Rosemary Spell is a book about being courageous and caring. I believe the moral of the story is that you should be careful of what you do before you do it.

Review written by Jessica (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Clarion Books for providing a copy of The Rosmary Spell for this review.

Have you read The Rosmary Spell? How would you rate it?

Review: Curio by Evangeline Denmark

Curio by Evangeline Denmark.

Blink
Publication Date: January 2016
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780310729662

Review: Do you love to read action-filled, edge of your seat fantasy novels? How about books with crazy made-up characters? If you do, you should read the book Curio by Evangeline Denmark.

Grey Haward's village has magician scientists called Chemists who rule her village and help the villagers survive with their magic potions. Although vital to their survival, the Chemists have always been cruel to the people. When Grey escapes a chemist, she finds herself stuck in a fantasy-like world called Curio. Grey must discover her way back to defeat the Chemists and save the village as well as her friends/

Curio is a book primarily intended for a middle school audience, although adults would enjoy it as well. The character Grey is full of determination and stubbornness. She tries to keep her friends safe and won't let anyone stop her. Curio is written in a style that switches off characters' point of view with each chapter. Curio has no pictures and complex vocabulary. Curio has many scenes and situations that are full of excitement and suspense. I believe the moral of this story is to always help friends, even if it puts you in danger. I really enjoyed reading Curio, and I know you will too.

Review written by Jessica (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Blink for providing a copy of Curio for this review.

Have you read Curio? How would you rate it?

Review: The Pointless Book by Alfie Deyes

The Pointless Book by Alfie Deyes.

Running Press
Publication Date: October 2014
List Price: $12.95
ISBN-13: 9780762457519

Review: The Pointless Book brought to you by Alfie Deyes, a Vlogger on you tube, will change reading forever. The Pointless Book is not even reading, it is an activity book with fun games and puzzles. All you need is a sharpened pencil, the book, and your imagination. On the first day I got the book I had to bite a page, and again that same day I had to make an origami swan. This book was gratifying. If your mom tells you that you have to read more just pick up the Pointless Book. Everything in The Pointless Book is in a very weird format it tells you every so often to turn to certain page to make it even more Pointless. Everyone in the class wanted to see the book. You will never know what you might have to do in this book, make a die, bury the book, or make a paper airplane.

I recommend this book to anyone twelve and under looking for a fun book. The Pointless Book really had me hooked, are you? The only way the fun runs out is if you finish the book! If you ever find this book at the store pick it up and buy, this is a wonderful book that anyone can enjoy. I enjoyed this book but the only thing that matters if you enjoy it too. This book I could not put down until I finished this is the book of the future.

Review written by Patrick (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Running Press for providing a copy of The Pointless Book for this review.

Have you read The Pointless Book? How would you rate it?

Review: Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville. A Magic Shop Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: November 2008
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780152062521

Review: Have you read any of the Magic Shop books? Because this one by far is the best. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville is about a boy with a pet dragon.

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher begins with Jeremy being chased by bullies. Jeremy runs all over town and turns corner and sees the magic shop. He enters it and sees a weird glowing stone that is actually a dragon egg. he buys it and heads home through the back door. He gets a letter saying how to hatch a dragon in the mail tried it and soon he has his own dragon. Soon Jeremy gets another letter saying that the dragon has to go home. He knows he will have to part with is dragon and may never see her again.

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher is good for all ages and should strike magic in the hearts of all children. Bruce Coville wrote an amazing series about the magic shop. This book is easy to read and full of magic and filled of imagination. Children will beg for you to read it to them every night. This book is a perfect book to read to yourself or to read to others.

Review written by Max (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher for this review.

Have you read Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher? How would you rate it?

Review: Ninjas and Samurai by Mary Pope Osborne

Ninjas and Samurai by Mary Pope Osborne. A Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Book.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2014
List Price: $5.99
ISBN-13: 9780385386326

Review: Join Jack and Annie as they take you through the wonderful world of Ninjas and Samurai. The book Fact Tracker: Ninjas And Samurai by Mary Pope Osborne is a companion to the book Night of the Ninjas by Mary Pope Osborne. People knew when a person was a ninja or when a person was a samurai.

In Fact Tracker: Ninjas And Samurai you can learn almost everything there is to know about both Ninjas And Samurai, from what they wear to there lifestyles. There are a few chapters that are about Samurai, and there are a few chapters that are about Ninjas. The first chapter was about how the Ninjas and Samurai came to be. The last chapter is about how the Ninjas and Samurai ended. Did you know that the Samurai lasted longer than the Ninjas?

Fact Tracker: Ninjas and Samurai is a great book for comparing and contrasting because it gives many facts about the ninjas and the samurai. I recommend this book for children ages 8+. Mary Pope Osborne has written many books in this series, which is called Magic Tree House. There is so much to learn from this book and it is a great companion the Night of the Ninjas. I hope to read many more books in the series by this wonderful author.

Review written by Kyra (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Ninjas and Samurai for this review.

Have you read Ninjas and Samurai? How would you rate it?

Review: Double Digit by Annabel Monaghan

Double Digit by Annabel Monaghan. The Sequel to A Girl Named Digit.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: January 2014
List Price: $7.99
ISBN-13: 9780544336209

Review: If you're looking for a book that a young teen would enjoy, then the book Double Digit by Annabel Monaghan is the perfect choice. This book has mystery, action and suspense. It is a sequel to A Girl Named Digit.

In Double Digit there is a girl named Digit. Digit is called that because of her love of math. Digit tries to be a normal college girl. She goes to a lot of parties. Then her boyfriend came to visit her in college. He works for the FBI. Then one night Digit and her friend Tiki were walking home and to get to her dorm she has to go down a dark hallway. Then she feels an arm around her neck and the end of a blade touching her skin. She bites his arm and calls for help. The security comes and the criminal jumps out a window. Digit gets taken to the hospital cause he slit her throat. She calls her ex boyfriend. When her ex boyfriend arrives they get a call. When they answer the call they say that Digit is going to jail because of her hacking into the district of defense (DOD). Then they drive to a cabin and figure out that Digits ex-boyfriend's friend Spencer who was a girl was evil and working for the criminal. Suddenly, they got taken to the bad guys lair the lair was all solar powered and all natural. The bad guy was apparently looking through her laptop and seeing everything she has been doing and found out what she had been hacking. They told her to hack into the DOD program again and if she doesn't they will kill her. They already took her ex and said they were going to kill him. She stated hacking and kept taking breaks she would go down to the sleeping area to see that Danny and her ex's dad is there. They called her back up to work.

Double Digit is intended for ages 12 and up due to language. I like that in this book the main character is a girl. I like the suspense, also that its about how a girl does everything on her own and figures them out by herself. Young teens would like this because of the suspense and all of the mystery. A girl would more be likely to read this book cause it is based off of a young love story gone wrong. So if you like mystery, suspense, and a bunch of actions then Double Digit is the perfect book for you.

Review written by Kirsten (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Double Digit? How would you rate it?

Review: Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen.

Harper Collins Publishing
Publication Date: December 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780310731887

Review: Imagine: You are trying to forget about your past so you jump on a plane and you meet someone and you think it's true love. But then, when you get off your true love mistakes your bag for his bag and your bag has the most important thing in the world to you in the bag. What are you going to do?

In the story Both of Me a girl named Clara gets on a plane and tries to forget her past. She brings one bag very similar to the guy sitting next to her. When she gets out of the plane she realizes that something so important to her was in her bag. But the bag she picked up wasn't hers. On trying to get her bag back she meets someone who knows more about her past then she does herself.

Both of Me is good for people 12 and up because they will understand it better than kids. There are no pictures in the book, which makes you able to create a picture in your head. This is also why I think it should be for teens than for little kids. I think a boy and a girl could read this because it has a boy and a girl in the story. This is a great love story too.

Review written by Izzy (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Harper Collins for providing a copy of Both of Me for this review.

Have you read Both of Me? How would you rate it?

Review: Anastasia Again! by Lois Lowry

Anastasia Again! by Lois Lowry. An Anistasia Krupnik Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: October 1981
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780544336674

Review: Have you ever wondered how moving to the suburbs would be? Have you ever been nervous to be in a new place? Well, Anastasia did. In Anastasia Again by Lois Lowry, Anastasia doesn't want to move to the suburbs. She tries so hard to convince her parents not to move, but it doesn't work.

12-year-old Anastasia Krupnik thinks that moving to the suburbs is going to be horrendous. She tries to convince her parents with assumptions of the suburbs that sound terrible. Anastasia also gets her little brother mad. To make Anastasia cheer up a little about the suburbs, they let her pick what should be in the house. She knows, if she gave answers that are unbelievable they would never move. So she asks for a tower in her room. She thinks that will never happen. Will Anastasia be able to convince her parents to stay where they are? You'll have to read to find out.

Anastasia Again teaches a lesson. You should never make assumptions about something you don't know. Anastasia makes assumptions about the suburbs, but finds out her assumptions aren't always correct. She is also nervous of moving in a new place because she is used to living in the city. Although Anastasia Again is about a girl, this book is actually focusing on how she is having a hard time about moving. Anastasia Again is for ages 10-13 because Anastasia is that age, and anyone could relate to her if you have ever moved before. I recommend this book because if you are like Anastasia and you have to move, you would know what to do. Also Anastasia Again teaches a good life lesson about making a judgment. I recommend you read this book because it is very helpful. She faces the same problems you might face today. You should read Anastasia Again by Lois Lowry today!

Review written by Devanshi (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Anastasia Again!? How would you rate it?

Review: Kuma-Kuma Chan by Kazue Takahashi

Kuma-Kuma Chan by Kazue Takahashi. A Kuma-Kuma Book.

Museyon Inc
Publication Date: December 2014
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9781940842011

Review: Do you sometimes just want to lay down and read a short easy book? Well then Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear is the book for you. Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear is written by Kazue Takahashi.

In Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear there is an inside look at Kuma-Kuma Chang's life deep in the mountains where he lives and does everyday activities like drawing in his coffee by pouring milk in it and he sweeps the rooms of his house. It also shows what activities he does in different seasons.

This picture book is meant for ages 5-6 because it is a quick easy book. Even though it is meant for younger ages I still found it interesting. It also has very good drawings that will keep young children interested. Overall I recommend this book especially if you know or have a young child.

Review written by Alex (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Museyon Inc for providing a copy of Kuma-Kuma Chan for this review.

Have you read Kuma-Kuma Chan? How would you rate it?

Review: Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen

Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen.

Ember
Publication Date: January 2011
List Price: $6.99
ISBN-13: 9780375855429

Review: Many people are inspired by smaller stories written in a non-fiction form, I read this book and this story inspires me so much. Notes From the Dog is a book about a boy named Finn, his best friend (that is basically living with him), and his dog Dylan. One day Finn and Dylan got a new neighbor, and her name is Johanna she has breast cancer. Finn and Matthew were helping Johanna raise $10,000 in sponsorship money for a triathlon that Johanna was participating in. About midway through the story just a day before the triathlon Johanna gets sick and cannot attend the triathlon but instead Matthew and Finn attend it because they know that this triathlon meant a lot to her. The notes that the dog writes are actually written by Johanna and quite frankly the notes are very philosophical. At first Finn thought that Dylan was writing the notes but then realized that Johanna was writing them.

Overall the book is amazing, I recommend Notes From the Dog to anyone who loves heartwarming books and stories. This story made me actually think about my life decisions and helped me make better ones. It has a moral, which is to basically help everyone and treat everyone with respect whether or not you are friends with him or her. Even if you don't know them still show them, respect to show that you are a good person. Notes From the Dog is for people at about the age of 12-14 because this book has some strong language and the maturity of the issue and the way it was presented. This book has really touched me, and I know that this will really touch you. I highly recommend this book.

Review written by Aaron (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Ember Publishing for providing a copy of Notes from the Dog for this review.

Have you read Notes from the Dog? How would you rate it?

Review: The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for the Pyxis by Zoe Ferraris

The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for the Pyxis by Zoe Ferraris.

Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2015
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385392167

Review: BOOM! The argh is crashing! People shout all around the massive boat. This sets the stage for The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for Pyxis written by Zoe Ferraris, a story about two kids (Emma and Herbie) who travel to outer space to find Emma's mom and dad. They then take a boat through a portal to a sea in outer space where they begin their quest to save the planets and her parents. Along the way they encounter a ship called the Argh and the people aboard it. Some of the people on the ship with them and go them on their adventure.

The way Zoe Ferraris imagines space and the planets in the book is cool and gives you a new perspective on constellations.The idea of pirates in space is really compelling and interesting. This book is recommended for ages 8 - 12 because of some bloody or graphic parts and some inappropriate words for younger readers. Galaxy Pirates is really good, and I enjoyed it. I recommend it to any kids within the ages recommended above. I am also glad that when I finished it it sounded like there is going to be another book.

Review written by Ethan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Crown Books for Young Readers for providing a copy of The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for the Pyxis for this review.

Have you read The Galaxy Pirates: Hunt for the Pyxis? How would you rate it?

Review: Whippoorwill by Joseph Monninger

Whippoorwill by Joseph Monninger.

HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780544531239

Review: Claire hears the chinking of WallyÕs chain on the pole next door. ItÕs not even that she likes dogs; she just doesnÕt think anything should have to go through what he has. Eventually Claire convinces Danny, WallyÕs owner that Wally is a good dog deserves to be treated like it. Claire, and Danny develop feelings for each other, but what happens when DannyÕs abusive father gets tired of Wally? Read Whippoorwill by Joseph Monninger to find out.

Junior high, and high school kids will love Whippoorwill because of all of the crazy plot twists, and the plot and writing is done so well that even adults will love Whipporwill just as much as kids. Author Joseph Monninger really knows how to write from all different points of view, almost as if he was living the story. This book shows that a little kindness goes a long way. Whippoorwill has everything you might want in a book, an adorable dog, sad start, and just a hint of romance.

Review written by Emma (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Whippoorwill? How would you rate it?

Review: How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by Steve Jenkins

How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by Steve Jenkins.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780544313651

Review: Have you ever wondered what it's like to be an animal? Have you ever wondered how they survive in the wild? Well, in How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by Steve Jenkins is a perfect choice for curious elementary students who like animals. This book is filled with many interesting facts on a variety of animals. It explains how a python can swallow a pig, how to catch a meal like a crocodile, or even how to disguise yourself like an octopus. The vocabulary is not hard. A first and second grader might enjoy this book but it would have to be read to them and they might need to see the pictures to understand the concept of the book. The pictures are fun and interesting, so all readers are sure to be engaged. Adults could learn something from this book too. The vocabulary is appropriate for an upper-elementary reader.

I enjoyed this book; it was very interesting. At first when opened the book; I thought it was for little kids because of all the pictures, but then when I started reading it, I saw it was very informative. If you like animals and want to learn about them, How to Swallow a Pig, is for you.

Review written by Jenny (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom for this review.

Have you read How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom? How would you rate it?

Review: Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football by Howard Bryant

Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football by Howard Bryant.

Philomel Books
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780399169045

Review: TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football by Howard Bryant is about players in American Football becoming legends and playing in the Super Bowl, and how coaches become some of the most famous people in the world, and it's even about how they got the trophy named after them! Legends gives readers an inside look into the world of football.

Legends by Howard Bryant is a book that I enjoyed very much because I love Football. It probably is not the best choice for people who don't have a passion for the sport. The vocabulary in this book is average for a middle school student, which makes it perfect for that age group. Howard does an amazing job at making all of his chapters a cliffhanger by showing most of the teams scores and wanting you to read the next chapter wanting to know which teams will make the playoffs and the Super Bowl, which makes you want to read more and more, and then you realize that the book is over. Legends is a great book to reach those reluctant middle school readers.

Review written by Ansh (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Penguin Random House for providing a copy of Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football for this review.

Have you read Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Football? How would you rate it?

Review: Nearly Found by Elle Cosimano

Nearly Found by Elle Cosimano. Sequel to Nearly Gone.

Kathy Dawson Books
Publication Date: June 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780803739277

Review: Being an engaging young adult 12 and up recommended book, Nearly Found by Elle Cosimano grabs your attention with its suspenseful mysteries that you won't stop reading until they are solved. Nearly Found by Elle Cosimano has appropriate and easily read vocabulary for the recommended audience. In Nearly Found by Elle Cosimano, Nearly Boswell starts to work as an intern at a forensics science or crime lab. On her first day, she finds out she's working on a girl from her neighborhood, Adrienne, who she has been helping to find with a good friend. Soon after that, she and her friends receive notes found mysteriously in their houses. They believe that their old classmate who has been just released from jail, is sending them. The body of a missing person then turns up, but with a message for Nearly scratched into the bones. Who could this corpse be? You will find Nearly Found by Elle Cosimano as an engaging and suspenseful mystery you can't stop reading!

I found Nearly Found by Elle Cosimano a great mystery that I read for hours each day trying to solve. I loved the plot twists and suspenseful events that caught me by surprise. The characters are also well developed, but you might want to read the first book in the series to better understand the primary characters. Nearly Found by Elle Cosimano was the best book I have read since Nearly Gone, the first book in the series!

Review written by Erika (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Penguin Young Readers Group for providing a copy of Nearly Found for this review.

Have you read Nearly Found? How would you rate it?

Review: The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems

The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems.

Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: October 2015
List Price: $14.99
ISBN-13: 9781484722848

Review: Two worlds collide in The Story of Diva and Flea written by Mo Willems and illustrated by Tony Diterlizzi. Diva is a little dog who is used to life in a home, and Flea, on the other hand, is used to life on the street. But one day they come together and find out that together they can have a lot of fun and they develop a friendship as they discover the world together.

The Story of Diva and Flea was written not only for enjoyment, but also to describe the friendship that can develop in spite of differences. This book is recommended for early readers 1st through 3rd graders.

Review written by Sabina (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Disney-Hyperion Books for providing a copy of The Story of Diva and Flea for this review.

Have you read The Story of Diva and Flea? How would you rate it?

Review: A Voice for Kanzas by Debra McArthur

A Voice for Kanzas by Debra McArthur.

Kane Miller
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9781610670449

Review: Do you like a book that has a plot set in the past? Do you want to know what it's like to have to hide things from your family? Then A Voice For Kansas written by Debra McArthur is a perfect choice. A Voice For Kansas is about Lucy moving to Kansas in 1855 and finding Annie and Levi, a local Indian boy and a girl who helps runaway slaves. When she discovers the liberty line, a she also tries her best to help free the slaves. Meanwhile Kansas is having trouble with outsiders making it hard to become a free state. Will Kansas fall into the wrong hands? Will Lucy fail to help? Read this book to find out.

The characters wrap the book up with amazing plot twists. Some of the characters I loved and some I hated. The book is set for anyone 8 years old and up because of the vocabulary. The story is easy to read because the writing helps the plot create wonderful pictures in my mind. This book deserves five stars because I've never read anything like it.

Review written by Angelina (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Kane Miller Books for providing a copy of A Voice for Kanzas for this review.

Have you read A Voice for Kanzas? How would you rate it?

Review: The Lost Girl by R. L. Stein

The Lost Girl by R. L. Stein. A Fear Street Novel.

St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9781250051639

Review: Do you like a good scary story? Do you like staying up all night? If you do, The Lost Girl: A Fear Street Novel by R. L. Stein is the book for you. The Lost Girl is about a boy named Michael who finds this mysterious girl named Lizzy. With his group of friends (Pepper, Gabe, Katherine, Diego) and Lizzy, he runs over and kills someone who is now killing them one by one...

The Lost Girl isn't for anyone under the age of 9 because the book has some disturbing content. This book would make a good ghost story, but not a read aloud since the book is long. The vocabulary is for advanced readers. The main character and the supplementary characters really tie the story together, and I was led to really like the character that turned out to be the killer. This story creates a lot of suspense and kept me scared for almost the whole book. There are no pictures in the book but the story is still clear. The Lost Girl has well developed ideas, like the main plot twist. The characters are different from many other books I've read because they are actually breaking the law. I've actually never read a scary book like this before, and I loved it!

Review written by Angelina (6th grade student).

We would like to thank St. Martin's Griffin for providing a copy of The Lost Girl for this review.

Have you read The Lost Girl? How would you rate it?

Review: Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) by Liz Pichon

Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) by Liz Pichon. A Tom Gates Book.

Candlewick Press
Publication Date: September 2015
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780763674731

Review: Everything seems to be amazing for Tom Gates, but in Liz Pichon's Tom Gates series, Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of), Tom finds that everything might not really be quite so amazing. Tom Gates gets ready for his birthday and school disco and hopes that he can stop them from becoming a complete failure.

The intended audience for Tom Gates Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) is for kids ages 8-12, and the vocabulary is perfect for that age group. The protagonist is a middle school student and is a fun character that readers will enjoy, and the plot of Tom Gates Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) is not complex, which makes it a fun and easy read. The moral of Tom Gates Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) is that you shouldn't assume anything or you can make things worse for yourself. The illustrations in this book are humorous and add to the enjoyment of the book.

Review written by Connor (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Candlewick Press for providing a copy of Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) for this review.

Have you read Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of)? How would you rate it?

Review: The Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader

The Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader. An Adventures of Beanboy Book.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: February 2012
List Price: $12.99
ISBN-13: 9780547550787

Review: Weird, likable, and interesting. In Beanboy you will find 4 interesting characters: Two 7th graders named Tucker and Sam. Beech, Tucker's little brother and Tucker's mom. In Beanboy Tucker MacBean is going through some hard times. His mom is always at work, and he and his brother Beech are forced to do everything by themselves. Tucker is really into comics and there is this competition going on where you have to create a comic sidekick. The best one wins a big money prize. So Tucker tries to win because he wants to give the big money prize to his mom so she can be home.

In addition to having to fend for himself, Tucker is being bullied by a girl named Sam at school. Sam is actually in the same kind of situation that Tucker is in, she is going through a really rough time at home too. Sam's parents are dead and she lives with her uncle whose wife recently died. So Sam is trying to make money to support her family too. She ends up babysitting for Tucker's baby brother, Beech. Sam and Tucker wind up spending a lot of time together and they realize they have many things in common. They actually start to like each other and go to the school dance together.

This book is great for anyone 10 - 12, with crazy events, amazing twists, and cool action scenes this book is bound for preteens. The vocabulary in this book is not very tough unless you're under the intended age group. If you would like funny comics and are interested in superheroes this book is definitely for you because there is a lot of humor and action in this book revolving around super heroes. There are not very many Illustrations in this book either so if you like pictures this book is not for you. Lisa Harkrader did an amazing job on this book and all the events within it. I can't wait to read her next book.

Review written by Sammy (6th grade student).

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

Have you read The Adventures of Beanboy? How would you rate it?

Review: Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen

Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen.

Harper Collins Publishing
Publication Date: December 2014
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780310731887

Review: Imagine traveling across the world. You just got off the plane to explore a new country, and then you realize your journal has been switched. This is where you then suddenly find yourself stuck in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Phinn's Bed and Breakfast. The boy who switched the journals intrigues you; you end up staying in Minneapolis longer than intended. You start to wonder what will happen next in Minneapolis, and then find it will become a wild journey. In Both of Me by Jonathan Friesen, readers will be able to embark on that wild journey.

While in Minneapolis, Clara, meets Elias she has some fun with him, but then they meet ÒThe Other One.Ó Clara and Elias go throughout the U.S. to help ÒThe Other OneÓ find what he needs for the Queen of Salem. Salem is Elias's second world in a sense and the queen is Clara's deceased mother. Clara thinks that ÒThe Other OneÓ knows about what she has done in the past. So to figure out what she wants to know, her and Elias go through Wisconsin, Chicago, Ohio, and New York. While traveling they experience some wild things that don't happen to regular teenager. Along the way she finds that she starts to get feelings for someone. She vows never to do that while traveling around the world. The ending of the book is shocking and unexpected, definitely worth reading.

This book is intended for ages 12+, because it deals with a lot of issues. The main characters in the book are Clara, and Elias. Together they and the others at the inn explore Salem, Elias's alternate world, and everybody is trying to figure out how Salem works and how long everyone can keep Elias in Salem. The main conflict in the story relates to ÒThe Other One,Ó as she calls Elias's second personality, and what he really knows about her. Although some parts are slower, it is overall a good book.

Review written by Mekenna (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Harper Collins for providing a copy of Both of Me for this review.

Have you read Both of Me? How would you rate it?