The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Hannah is an ordinary Jewish child who hates Passover. She does not like remembering the Holocaust until she opens a door and is transported back in time to the Holocaust. She makes many friends. When the Nazis come and take her and her relatives away, she struggles to remember what happens. She realizes the true value of friendship and … Read more
The Alcatraz Escape Book Scavenger #3 by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman Mystery Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Emily and James have to solve puzzles and find clues to save the big puzzle set at Alcatraz Island. I liked the book because it was interesting and fun to read.
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods Underland Chronicles #3 by Suzanne Collins Fantasy Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) When the Underlanders have a plague break out, Gregor needs to go down and help them find the cure. I liked reading the book because it was very exciting and fun to read. Review #2 * * * * Stars (Great!) Gregor goes back down into the Underland because a plague has erupted … Read more
Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics Mr. Lemoncello #2 by Chris Grabenstein Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Mr. Lemoncello is throwing a competition to find his true library champions for people all over America. However, when books start to disappear, the library Olympians need to work together to find the books. Review #2 * * * * Stars (Great!) Mr. Lemoncello invites library lovers across America to take part in his new … Read more
Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race Mr. Lemoncello #3 by Chris Grabenstein Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Mr. Lemoncello is having a competition to teach his trustees about research. However, when Mr. Lemoncello is accused of stealing ideas, his trustees need to find a way to clear his name. Review #2 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Mr. Lemoncello has a new game, a library race to win a trip across … Read more
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane Underland Chronicles #2 by Suzanne Collins Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Gregor has to go down to the Underlands again because a new prophecy has come up. Gregor has to journey to kill the Bane. I liked this book because it was surprising and fun. Review #2 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Gregor goes down into the Underland after his sister is … Read more
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Marcus Vega is an enterprising 14-year-old, who looks much older than his actual age (6 feet tall, 180 lbs, mustache). To help his single-parent mom out with bills and emergencies, he runs a number of different businesses – charging kids at school for littering or using their cell phones (both against school rules), and offering a fee-based protection … Read more
From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess book #1 by Meg Cabot Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) 6th grader Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison suddenly starts getting bullied by Annabelle, a fellow 6th grader, for being a princess. Olivia has no idea why because she is NOT a princess! But she finds out that she actually is when Princess Mia picks her up from school one day and … Read more
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Nisha and her twin brother Amil (12 years old) become refugees when their country gains its independence from British rule in 1947 and is split into two nations – India and Pakistan. Because she and her family (father, grandmother, and brother) are considered Hindu (even though Nisha and Amil’s mother was Muslim) they must leave the home they have … Read more
Blended by Sharon M. Draper Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Isabella is eleven years old and her parents are divorced with joint custody, so every Sunday there’s an EXCHANGE at the mall and Isabella spends the week with the assigned parent. The dissolution of their marriage wasn’t exactly amicable and they still get under each other’s skin despite being in serious long-term relationships with other people. Isabella likes her parents’ … Read more