I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Us, Reading 2017 is now officially over. We want to thank you all for being a part of Us, Reading this summer! Don't forget to join us on Thursday August 31st at the main library on L2 from 3-4pm for our ice cream party. We'll be enjoying delicious ice cream from our friends at JP Licks and will also be announcing our grand prize winners (you don't need to be present to win).

Hope to see you there!
The CPL Librarians

Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

I made a self challenge to read a book I think I might not enjoy. But turns out that this book was had an amazing adventure that makes me want to re read. This story is surprising and awesome, that I think you should read it.
- Kiersten, 6th grade, PAUS

Judy Moody Declares Independence by Megan McDonald

Judy Moody, Stink and their parents went to Boston, Massachusetts. When they arrived, they went to the information booth on Boston Common, where their dad bought a guide to the Freedom Trail. They had freedom from many things, especially her sister, who didn't have to take the spelling test at school.
- Abdul, 7th grade, VLUS

Among the Enemy by Margret Peterson Haddix

What would you want to see happen to the characters after this book (or the last of the series) ends?
Well, I know, that this series change from character to character, but, this time, it was about Matthias, and I actually want to see him more brave, and a more positive thinker, and thinking he is also smart like Percy and Alia. I am 100% sure all the third children will be free, thanks to the last book, Among the Free, but anyway, I just want to tell Matthias be positive. That will change your life, trust me. ;)
- Amy, 7th grade, VLUS

The BFG by Roald Dahl

The story is about a giant named BFG( big friendly giant) who took a girl named Sophie out of her bed and brought her to the Giant Country. The reason why he brought her there is because she saw BFG and he was afraid Sophie would tell somebody. The book was really good and if you have watched the movie, it would be way better. But the way the story goes in the movie isn't exactly the same as the story in the book, but it is still intresting though.
- Abdul, 7th grade, VLUS

I'm Not A Supermouse by Elisabetta Dami

Which minor character in this book would you like to know more about? If there were a whole book about them, what would it be called?
I would like to know more about Bruce Hyena because the character is really interesting. He also has a very healthy body. If there were a whole book about them, it would be called 'Bruce's world wide athletic adventures'.
- Abdul, 7th grade, VLUS

The Wild West by Elisabetta Dami

In this book, he didn't actually go to the Wild West, it was actually just Geronimo's dream. But the book was actually amazing. My favorite part was when The old evil sherif who blocked the river and made it his property challenged Geronimo and Geronimo managed to help the town and get back their water.
- Abdul, 7th grade, VLUS

The Hostile Hospital by Daniel Handler

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
I feel sorry for Violet, Klaus, and Sunny because they were slandered as murderers even though they are still just children.
- Abdul, 7th grade, VLUS

Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

Shannon and Adrienne have been together since they were little. But then Adrienne starts to hang out with Jen the most popular girl in school and leader of the group. Everyone would do anything to stay in the group, even bully others if they have to. Now every day is difficult for Shannon is she in the group or not? will her and Adrienne still be friends? and the real question-can she speak up for herself?
- Gisela, 6th grade, CSUS

The View From Saturday E.L. Kongsburg

Eva Marie Olinski returns to teaching middle school after an accident that leaves her paralyzed from the waist down. Then its time to choose four sixth-grade students to represent her class in the Academic Bowl competition. The following students she chooses are Noah, Nadia, Ethan, and Julian. They call Themselves "The Souls." Its not until the end of the competition when Ms.Olinski knows why she pick them and why they make such a great team.
- Gisela, 6th grade, CSUS

Alien Escape by Elisabetta Dami

This book is about The Space Mice in SPACE so the book technically takes place more than 1000 miles from the place I was born. Anyway, this book is about the space mice's space ship, the Mouse Star 1 was about to explode. To prevent this from happening, the space mice has to find a very rare element to replace the engine's batteries. Suddenly a group of mysterious aliens claimed that they can help. They were relieved but were the aliens as nice as they seem.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Mouse House Hunter by Elisabetta Dami

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).

I feel a little bit bad for Geronimo when he had to sacrifice his house that has protected him for The Rodent's Gazette. He had to sleep outside in a cold rainy night because he doesn't have a house anymore.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Judy Moody Predicts The Future by Megan McDonald

Which minor character in this book would you like to know more about? If there were a whole book about them, what would it be called?

I would like to know more about Rocky, Judy's best friend. If there were a whole book about him, it would be called "Rocky's magic tricks" because he likes doing magic tricks with his cards.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Hello, voracious us-readers!

Today is the final day to post on the blog about books you've read over the summer! The 6th graders have a pretty commanding lead in the grade level challenge, but it's not over yet... Keep reading and writing awesome reviews and comments for your fellow Cambridge upper school readers.

Don't forget about our end-of-summer ice cream party next Thursday, 8/31, from 3:00-4:00 at the Main Library on L2. We will reveal the grand prize winners (although you do not need to be present to win), unveil the trophy for the grade winner, and eat lots of delicious J.P. Licks ice cream. Hope to see you there!

- Librarian Emily

What else is new?

LLAMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Emilia, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Fish in a Tree By Linda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a Tree is about a girl (Ally) who has dyslexia but won't admit it/doesn't really know she has it. She also has to deal with two mean girls and not having friends for most of the book.
She gets in trouble a LOT and is trying to figure out her little world. 
It was a great read!
- Emilia, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

MORE BOOKS TO READ, AS PROMISED:

Finding Serendipity by Angelica Banks
The Book Theif by Markus Zuzak
Mrs.Smiths Spy School for Girls (I forget the author)
THESE ARE GREAT BOOKS PLEASE READ!!
Also, does anyone else have any suggestions for books?

- Emilia, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Thing About Jellyfish By Ali Benjamin

This is another sad story. 

This one is about a girl who loses her best friend just months after she loses their friendship. She decides not to talk, only when she needs to. Her friend Franny died while swimming at the beach, and she is convinced that Franny was stung by a jellyfish because Franny was the best swimmer she ever saw. 
When no one believes her, she decides to prove it herself...
- Emilia, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

Okay, once again, I am not sure this is taken more than 1,000 miles away from where I live, but, this is fantasy, so I will just assume the t it's taken from more than 1,000 miles away.

I don't like Gollum, aka, Smeagol, he is so hideous and a liar, and most of all, he is half mad, half not, but my point is he's mad, and he killed his friend just for the Ruling Ring, and he calls the Ring his "precious" and if you actually see the movie, it's even creepier, and yeah. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is never ever befriend Gollum. :P

I figured, now, I possibly, really like Aragorn ;)
- Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Judy Moody and Stink: The Big Bad Blackout by Megan McDonald

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?

I would recommend this book to anyone because it's very interesting. It also has some pictures in it that makes it even more interesting.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

Books I recommend because they are great:
The Hunger Games (full series)S. Collins 
Absolutely Almost Lisa Graff 
The War That Saved My Life 
And more next post!
Ciao guys!
- Emilia, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Lost In The Sun By Lisa Graff

I LOVE THIS BOOK READ IT PLEASE 🔜

This is a book about the very hard life of Trent Zimmerman, some might say has anger issues. I think he just bottles up his anger and lets it all out at exactly the wrong moment. This book is all about kinda being lost, but never really finding your way back. 
So, Trent is in a tight place in this book because his mom and dad are divorced and already with other people, and he killed someone, by accident of course, but it wasn't his fault. At all. Plus, his dad kind sorta hates him. Not the best. This was a GREAT book and I recommend it completely.
PS. It gets better from the sad discription.
- Emilia, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday by Megan McDonald

Christmas is coming closer and Judy has made a looooooooong Christmas presents list while Stink didn't even make one. The reason why Stink didn't make one was because he had memorized his list. All he wanted was to snow and there hasn't been any snow in Virginia for like, a century. So what are the chances for snow to fall in Virginia.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Magical Mission by Elisabetta Dami

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?

If I could or had to become one of the characters in this book, I would choose to be Geronimo Stilton, the main character of this book. I would like to be him because he is very smart and kind. He went to England on a mission to solve a case about the lion at The Trafalgar Square shouting insults. He succeeded on his mission. Even though, he easily panics when the situation is becoming a little bit harder for him, I would still choose to be him.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Save The White Whale by Elisabetta Dami

In this Book, Geronimo, Benjamin, Bugsy Wugsy and Petunia went to The Bay of Whales. The trip that was expected to be fun, turns out to be a real nightmare for Geronimo. He came out in magazines because wearing seaweed swim trunks that really embarrassed him. Even with the disaster at the Bay of Whales, they managed to save the extremely rare white whale.

- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro by Elisabetta Dami

Geronimo's super-sporty friend, Bruce Hyena convinced him to go on another one of his extreme adventures. This time, Bruce brought Geronimo to climb the famous Mount Kilimanjaro. Geronimo just couldn't say no to a friend so he just let Bruce bring him to the adventure. Geronimo was in no shape to climb a mountain. How will he ever make it to the top.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Judy Moody Gets Famous by Megan McDonald

In this book, Judy became crazy about wanting to be famous like her classmate, Queen Bee Jessica A. Finch, winner of the North Virginia Spelling Bee( N.V. Spelling Bee). Even her own family was famous for something like her dad, famous for answering television quiz questions, her mother, always in papers for a glee club during high school and even her little brother, Stink, was once in TV when he was a baby because he was born in their parent's jeep.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Judy Moody Was In a Mood by Megan McDonald

Judy Moody had different kinds of moods. She had a good mood, a bad mood a back-to-school and some other moods. On the first day of school, Judy's teacher assigned Judy and her classmates to make a Me Collage and Judy's mood changed into a cut-and-paste mood. In this book, Judy had lots of different moods that will change the readers mood into want-to-finish-this-book mood.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?

I know Sam depends on Frodo, his master, but, it turns out, Sam can be brave when he knows a lot depends on him. He was never too brave, nether less he is never not-to-un-brave. That's why I like Sam. He is also really funny, like, he cheers people up when it's grumpy and stuff, and (don't judge me for thinking Sam was not brave at first, but I now like him!)
- Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

THE HOTTEST DAY EVER!!!!
- Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi

This is a biography of 9/11 hero Welles Crowther. The book, filled with many interviews of family, begins by telling the story of Welles's childhood. Quickly the book zooms in on one choice he made in the final minutes of his life. This book is sad but also thought-provoking, and I recommend this book to everyone.

This book will be published in early September. Through the Fresh Ink Program at Porter Square Books, I read it for free as an Advanced-Readers-Copy to review it. Again, you definitely should read it when it's published.
- Margaret, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows By: J.K.Rowling

The seventh installment is one of the best in the series. Harry is still on his journey to find the horcruxes to bring down Voldemort. Now the three friends have to rely on eachother more then ever as danger follows them even more closely bringing them come to the final battle of Hogwarts. Will Harry be able to destroy all the horcruxes in time? Or will he have to find a another solution? Read to find out. But wait! Before you read the deathly hallows make sure to check out the other books: 1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone; 2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; 3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; 4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; 5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; 6.Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
- Vida, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Becoming Naomi Leon By Pam Munoz Ryan

If you could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, what would it be?

This is a book about a girl named Naomi who lives with her brother and great grandmother because her mother abandoned her when she was very little. Now after 7 years her mother comes back. Walk with her through her journey of uncovering the truth about her family and who she really is. If I could ask Pam M. Ryan one question it would be how she got the inspiration for this book. I think that this is a very interesting read that will capture you from the start.
- Vida, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale (The Author)

In Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy Nathan Hale (The Author) tells the tale of Nathan Hale (The historical figure) who was a terrible spy, and a very unlucky one, but became famous for his last words: "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country" before he was hung. I love how the author told the story. It started with Nathan Hale (The spy) getting ready to be hung. A British soldier runs off because he forgot the hanging orders. That leaves the hangman, and Nathan (The spy) sitting awkwardly next to each other. Suddenly, a book called "American History" swallows Nathan whole! (the spy) He now knows all about his martyrdom's future, and about everything that is to come. The British soldier comes back, and he starts telling him his story. At the end of the book, the hangman and the soldier want more stories! (Even though the British soldier is a little angry about the news of the Americans winning) 
It's an awesome, funny graphic novel. And you learn lots of American History! 
I recommend this book to everyone.
- Ana, Grade 6, Amigos School

What else is new?

I'm hungry.
- Ana, Grade 6, Amigos School

What else is new?

I can't stop reading! These books are just too good!!

- Ana, Grade 6, Amigos School

Truth or Dare: Five Girls, One Summer, and Many Secrets by Barbara Dee

Lia is still sad about her mom dying in that car accident, but now she at least can manage through it pretty well. She decided she didn't want to go to camp. She ran off instead of getting on the bus, left her friends without any information of what she was doing and with her dad's permission, ran off with her aunt. There she met new people, like Orange and Pink Bikinis, and handsome Tanner, all in high school. 
She also realizes she and her aunt aren't really meant for each other. Her aunt tricks her into bra-shopping. She hated the whole experience. When she got back, everything had changed. Abi, Makayla, and Jules are more competitive and dramatic than ever. Anything will set them off. Marley is drifting away, annoyed of all the chaos. One sleepover, they decide to play truth or dare, a game that Abi, Makayla and Jules discovered over the summer. Soon they play it all the time, and it's going too far. Things are ruined between the little friendship that Lia ever had with her crush after a fake love letter and a dare to kiss. More friendships are ruined, more important ones. Lia tells a few- okay, a LOT of white lies about a fake romance with Tanner over the summer. Also about her period, which hasn't happened yet, but her friends can't know that. 
Will Lia be able to keep up with it all?
- Ana, Grade 6, Amigos School

What else is new?

I miss the winter.  IT'S TOO HOT.

- Ana, Grade 6, Amigos School

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This book is about Cather (Cath for short), the biggest Simon Snow fan in the whole wide world, along with her sister. In her alternate universe, Simon Snow is like a version of Harry Potter, in which Draco Malfoy (Baz) is a vampire in addition to being a wizard. Also, he's Simon's roommate. Hermione is Agatha, and there's Penelope, who is like Simon's sister. I guess that could be Ron. Cath is a big fan of having Simon and Baz fall in love (Yes, Draco and Harry). Anyways, she's off to college, and her twin sister, Wren, decides that for the first time in 18 years, they should split up. Wren is soon partying non stop, getting drunk, hiding things from Cath, and getting farther and farther away from the fandom. Cath's roommate, Reagan, is almost never home. Her not-so-kinda-maybe-boyfriend, though, is always around. He's always smiling, and very charming. Her fiction writing teacher doesn't want fanfiction. She thinks it's just copying an author's work. ( MY opinion is different) Cath's life is full of fanfiction. In fact she's the author of a very popular fanfiction as Magicath called Carry On, Simon. Some people even think her writing is better than the author's. 
Cath's classmate is handsome, nice, but he only likes Cath for her writing. Like Cath says, once the notebook is closed, the light goes out of his eyes. 
Not only that, but Cather's not sure if her dad can handle being on his own. After all, he was never the same when their mother left them. 
Will Cath survive all of this? 
Find out! 
Read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. You won't regret it.
- Ana, Grade 6, Amigos School

What else is new?

I've been reading a lot of fanfiction. But I don't think I can make posts about fanfiction.

- Ana, Grade 6, Amigos School

*Note from your friendly librarian: Yes! You can definitely make posts about fanfiction. If it's reading, it counts! It just should be something that someone else can find if they're interested in reading it after seeing your post, so it's helpful to include a link if it's something you're reading online. Happy reading!

The Real Us by Tommy Greenwald

I recently read this book called "The Real Us" It tells the story of three middle schoolers. Calista, the prettiest girl in the school, they say, Damian, a shy, artsy kid with a sweating problem, and Laura, a smart, sporty kid that is made fun of because of her weight. Before a school dance that is really important to her, Calista wakes up with a big pimple. And it all goes downhill from there. Aside from that, Calista also has two friends, Ella and Ellie, who are very bad friends. She used to be best friends with Laura, but not anymore. Join these three teens through the painful journey that is middle school as they become the real them. The Real Us.
- Ana, Grade 6, Amigos School

Stink and The Attack of The Slime Mold by Megan McDonald

If you could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, what would it be?

The question that I would like to ask isn't really about this book specifically, but it's actually about the Stink series. Will the Stink series continue or does it end right there?
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

I saw the SOLAR ECLIPSE!!!!!!! It was AWESOME!!!!!!!
- Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Max by James Patterson

What books would you recommend to the main character of the book and why?

Okay, first, I'm not sure if this was taken place like more than 1,000 miles away, 'cause, this is like total fiction, but anyway, I know, that Max is the main character, but, I want to suggest Nudge, a book, instead of Max, I know she'll never accept it, but anyway, I suggest Nudge, Trouble Maker by Andrew Clements or No Talking by the same author, then may be she'll feel better about being chased by "Crazy Threats". I hope.
- Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton

It's 1969 and the Apollo 11 mission is getting ready to take off. Meanwhile half-Black half-Japanese Mimi is struggling to fit in a predominantly white Vermont town. Now what she looks on the outside is all anyone seems to notices. She also struggles with fitting in at her new school too. Even as she stand ups for her right to stand out by competing in science competitions going in to Shop instead of Home Ec. Even though people are not very fond of her mixed race family, she still dream of becoming a astronaut-no matter who tells her she can't.
- Gisela, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Stink and The Freaky Frog Freakout by Megan McDonald

If you could rewrite one part of the story, what would you change?

If I could rewrite one part of the story, I would change the part where Stink went outside, he put on his boots and suddenly, a frog jumped out of his boots because it made me feel disgusted.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Stink and The Shark Sleepover by Megan McDonald

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?

If I could or had to become one of the characters in this book, I would be Stink, the main character of this book. I would choose him because he kind of has something in common with me. His friends are scared of animals but He likes animals and I like them too. Even though he is scared of sleepovers like this one, the shark sleepover at the aquarium, but I still would choose to be him.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Which minor character in this book would you like to know more about? If there were a whole book about them, what would it be called?

I would like to know more about the pilot in Hatchet. He seems like an interesting character to learn more about because he dies very quickly in the beginning of the book and you never learn more about him. He seems like a kind, quiet man who would have more of a story to him. I wonder how his death affected his friends and family. I also want to know how he became a pilot. Did he have a medical problem that affected him having a heart attack? If there were to be a book about him, I think it would be called The Dramatic End. I hope the pilot had a good life before he died. 
This book was an amazing book. I highly recommend it.
- James, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Turf Wars, Part One (The Legend of Korra) by Michael DiMartino

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?

I would choose to become one of the small spirits from the spirit world. I would like to be a small spirit because they seem so carefree and happy. They seem free from the tension that most human beings carry with them. For example, in one of the pictures in the book (the book is a graphic novel) I see spirits happily flying around. They seem full of peaceful energy. The spirits look light colored and they are walking around a glowing portal in the center of energy vines. They do not seem preoccupied with anything except prancing joyfully. I would like to be as happy, carefree, joyful, and peaceful as those glowing spirits.
- James, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

North and South, Part Three (Avatar: The Last Airbender) by Gene Luen Yang

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).

A part of the book that made me feel something strongly was when Katara realized her mother was inside her. She realized this when she was walking around her mother's grave. She said an empowering speech to her mother's grave explaining how at moments in her life she has found parts of her mother inside her even though her mother is dead. This part made me feel better about people I love dying because Katara knew that everyone that you love is always with you.
- James, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Brian's Return (Brian's Saga Book 4) by Gary Paulsen

If you could rewrite one part of the story, what would you change?

If I had to change one part of the story, I would change the part where Brian ignores Susan. I would change that part of the story because I think Susan could be a good friend to him. In the book, Brian ignored Susan when she tried to make a connection with him. Brian felt that she was giving him too much attention. He wanted to be left alone. I think if Brian told Susan to give him a little more space, she could have been a good friend to him. She could be a way for Brian to reconnect with the modern world.
- James, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Brian's Winter (Brian's Saga Book 3) by Gary Paulsen

What books would you recommend to the main character of the book and why?

I would recommend a survival guide to Brian, the main character of this book. I would recommend a survival guide to him because he seems to get in a lot of difficult situations in the wilderness. I think a guide may help him have even more knowledge about how to survive in the woods. For example, in the winter, Brian needed meat so maybe a survival guide would help him know which animal's meat is the best to eat. He might also enjoy the series I Survived because it could teach him about how people survive in tough situations. It might help give him hope.
- James, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Stink and The Midnight Zombie Walk by Megan McDonald

I would like to ask the author of this book about Skunk, one of Stink's close friends. Will Skunk come out in the Stink series again because it seems like Skunk did not appear in the Midnight Zombie Walk book.

- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

I am America! (And So Can You), by Stephen Colbert

In Stephen Colbert's biting satire of the many politician's and pundit's autobiographies, memoirs, arguments, and complaints, he plays his classic right-wing anchor character, but in book form. The book is hilarious, particularly for fans of his show and those familiar with the kind of book he is spoofing. He takes the reader through as many controversial issues as he can find, all while adding inflammatory opinions about all of them.
The book is not a challenging read, and is complete with info boxes, foot notes, margin notes, diagrams, illustrations, and "Fun Zones", which are never very fun, but always hilarious. The book is 230 pages, so I wouldn't call it insurmountable, either. If you are old enough to get the political jokes and corrupted enough that your parents won't care if you read some of the more off-color jokes, than it's fine.
Speaking of which, will your parent let you read this? It is more appropriate than most left-leaning political humor, especially when compared with the Daily Show's books and The Onion. There are a few jokes and subjects which some parents would be displeased with, but, chances are if you made it to 8th grade you've heard worse. Make sure it's OK with your parents before reading it. Or don't tell them and read it under the covers at night. That's what I did.
- Chris, Grade 8, CSCL

Who is J.K Rowling By: Pam Pollack and Meg Beviso

What books would you recommend to the main character of the book and why?

I would recommend the Harry Potter series to J.K Rowling because she wrote them. I would also recommend the Percy Jackson series because it reminds me Harry Potter in a way.
- Anonymous

Nala by Ellen Miles

Which minor character in this book would you like to know more about? If there were a whole book about them, what would it be called?

I would like to know more about Lizzie. If Lizzie had a book about her it would be called "A Dogs Best Friend" because Lizzie is great with dogs and all dogs love her.
- Anonymous

Percy Jackson The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?

I would be Annabeth Chase because she is smart and she is great in a fight. Also Annabeth's mom, Athena, gave her a baseball cap that makes you invisible when you put it on. That's why I would be Annabeth Chase.
- Anonymous

The Island of Beyond by Elizabeth Atkinson

Kids these days don't dare to explore the world anymore because of all the technology. Martin is 10 year old boy who has never had an adventure. He never experienced the REAL world. The world were you learn how to survive by yourself . His father decides to send Martin on the Island of Beyond where he used to spend his summers. Martin doen't want to go at all, when everything changes, and the truth has been discovered.
- Luna, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Stink and The Ultimate Thumb-Wrestling Smackdown by Megan McDonald

Stink is a kid at The Virginia Dare School. He really loves report card day. So when he got home, he straight away asked his parents to open his report card's envelope. He was so happy because he usually gets good grades on every single subject, but the look on his parents face was not what he had expected. The look on his parent's face was like the combination of happiness and a tiny bit of dissatisfaction because he got a U which stands for unsatisfactory for his physical education. So his parents wanted to sign him up in a sport class no matter what sport. He suddenly became interesting in thumb-wrestling and karate. After a lot of practice, he became really good at them. He got a yellow belt in karate and he won against his friends in thumb-wrestling.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Stink Solar System Super Hero by Megan McDonald

What character(s) in this book would you most and least like to be friends with, and why?

The character in this book that I would like to be friends with is Stink and Skunk because even though their both short and has smelly things as their nicknames, they both are really brave and smart. They even had and won a debate with their tall, mean and miss-know-it-all classmate, Riley Rottenberger about the planet Pluto. Stink and Skunk really loved the planet Pluto because they felt bad for it because it got kicked out of the Solar System and it also has something in common with them like their both small in class and the planet being small in the solar system.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Stink and The Great Guinea Pig Express by Megan McDonald

When Stink and his two best friends, Sophie and Webster were making The Great Wall of China by cereal boxes, they found three little cute furry guinea pigs. On first thought, they wanted to keep the guinea pigs but suddenly, they thought that it would be stealing. So they went to Mrs. Birdwistle's pet shop and found out that all her guinea pigs were running around in the pet shop. Soon after that, Mrs. Birdwistle decided to give away the guinea pigs, but only to people who will definitely take care of them. And they started their mission on giving away the guinea pigs by using The Guinea Pig Express.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. They managed to give away all the one hundred and one guinea pigs
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

In the book Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, it has different poems mostly short but very powerful. The book is divided into different chapters equally as incredible as the last. The poems range from relationships, feminism, and beauty standards. The poems leave you speechless giving her the title of the best poet you've ever heard of. Although her book plays hard to get, it’s all worth it in the end.
- Asmayt, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist

In the book Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist, it talks about a boy named Will Porter who is blind and transferring to a mainstream school from the school of the blind. On his first day of school not only did he grope a girl on the stairwell but he also sat on a fellow classmate at lunch. Little did he know the that the kid he sat on will add him into his small little friend group. In his new friend group, there is a girl named Cecily. Slowly Will starts falling in love with her, but once a chance of gaining his eyesight comes along he jumps on the chance knowing he finally might be able to see Cecily. Slowly as he gets his eyesight he notices a big “birthmark” covering Cecily’s face which causes a bunch of problems between the two. Read the book to find out the different problems Will will soon face.
- Asmayt, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

In the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, it talks about a boy named Arnold Spirit Jr. a.k.a. Jr.. It goes into his life by talking about the struggles he has with his friends where he lives and where he goes to school. Junior was also born with hydrocephalus (water in the brain), which causes a bunch of insecurities. In the book, Jr. switches to an all-white school where the only other Indian in town is the school mascot. Jr. also lives on a reservation which is very poor so while he is at school he tries his best to keep that a secret. At the school, Jr. makes new friends and even a girlfriend, read the book and follow Jr. on this crazy ride of him finding himself.
- Asmayt, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Well That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail

In the book Well That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail, it talks about a girl named Gracie who is friends with a girl named Sienna. Out of nowhere, Gracie starts to have feelings for her friend AJ. Sadly, she finds out that he doesn't like her, but he likes her best friend Sienna. It gets embarrassing but once Sienna tries to text AJ, it proves a little more difficult than expected. She finds it hard and confusing, so Gracie writes her messages for her. While AJ keeps texting back, Gracie starts falling in love with him even more with every text. Suddenly, Gracie starts to realize that this might be his friend Emmett. This book has crazy ups and downs I promise you won't be dissatisfied.
- Asmayt, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

In the book Ghost by Jason Reynolds, it follows the life of a boy named Castle Crashaw. When Castle, a.k.a. Ghost, was very little his father who was a drunk, used to go crazy. One night Ghost’s father chased him and his mother around the house with a gun. One day walking home from school, Ghost, stops and sees a running team practicing, when he decides to race one of the fastest runners on the team, the coach begs him to join the team. What took everyone one by surprise was how this team ended up like a family, it all had its ups and downs.
- Asmayt, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Fahrenheight 451 by Ray Bradbury

Set in a dystopian future, Fahrenheight 451 explores the purpose of reading and literary society as a whole. Guy Montag, is a fireman whose job consists of setting fires ablaze. He spends most of his day at the fire station gambling with his coworkers and believing in the propaganda spewed by the government and his superiors. Guy goes home to his wife Mildred, who, because books were outlawed, spends her days watching television and pretending, with virtual realities, about her family.

Guy's entire life is turned upside down when, walking home, he meets one of his neighbors, a small girl who appreciates things that he never noticed before. After spending some time with her, he begins to question why books are forbidden and their value to the individual. The spark has been ignited and once he has started, Guy can not turn back. What will he do now?

This book will change your world-view and cause you to ask questions such as: What is the purpose of reading? and How do books allow us to question our reality?
- Chris, Grade 8, CSCL

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Constantly compared to it's more well known contemporary, "Catcher in the Rye", "A Separate Peace" is one of the classic, American, coming of age novels. With a much more subtle, yet moving plot, this book is sure to become a favorite, generation after generation.

Set in 1942, this book takes place at an all boys boarding school in New England. Gene is an introspective, studious, sixteen-year-old. Phineas is a taunting, outgoing, star athlete. This book follows Gene and Finny, and their friendship, as they struggle to find an identity separate from the war, while attempting to act "appropriately" for their age.

This book starts off during the Summer Session. Aptly named, given it takes place during the summer. As the summer days shorten, the boys fill their time with new games and challenging pastimes one of which includes jumping from the largest tree on campus. The tree seems to taunt their very existence as children right before the draft. How will they continue with their lives? Only reading this book will reveal the heartfelt message behind the hauntingly beautiful prose.
- Chris, Grade 8, CSCL

Boston: A Topographical History

Despite having the appearance of a dry and boring and stuffy book, this informative chronology is actually very interesting. I have to say, the name "A topographical history put me off a bit, for obvious reasons. It sounds like one of those books you find in the corner of the library that no one reads, or on your great uncle's shelf.
It is about the form of Boston, and how it has evolved from a group of houses and churches on the Shawmut peninsula to the irritating and lovable metropolis we know today. The book follows the formation and history of Boston, from it's beginnings as a coastal colony, through the infill of the Back and South Bays, right up to the urban renewal beginning of the fifties. The book was published 1959, which makes for an interesting perspective on what we now see as history. This is also a drawback, because it does not include the rapid change that occurred between the 1960s and now.
Overall, the book is a wonderful portrayal of architecture and development in Boston, and anyone interested in these subjects should consider reading it.
- Chris, Grade 8, CSCL

Who Were The Wright Brothers by James Buckley Jr.

Wilbur and Orville Wright were the children of Milton and Susan Wright. They were smart brothers that they even manufactured their own brand of bicycles. They were also the men who built and and flew the first successful airplane. Wilbur played football for a school team, and some friends called him the fastest runner in town. He also had good grades in class while his brother Orville, had a great curiosity and didn't want to do things like everyone else. The brothers were bright men that their inventions are still remembered today.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

The River (Brian's Saga Book 2) By: Gary Paulsen

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?


I would recommend this book to nature lovers or people who had been in very tragic experiences. Though, I would ask them to read the first book of the series before they read this book. First, I would recommend this book to nature lovers because this book touches off beautiful nature moments and visualizations of plants and trees. It takes place in the woods near a river so if you love nature, this book will be in the perfect setting for you. Second, people who have been in very tragic experiences may relate to this book. The series is about survival stories. For example, in this book the boy has to fight hard to follow on a difficult river. To end, I think both groups of those people could enjoy this book.


-James, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Who was Michael Jackson by Megan Stine

Michael Jackson had many siblings. He also liked singing and had an amazing voice. He was a super-star since he was still a child. Michael and his brothers liked playing pranks and practical jokes. In their hotel room they would sometimes make fake phone calls, they ordered room service for other people's rooms. Sometimes they would also drop water ballons on people from their hotel windows. His life was great until the time he became fourteen, his face started to have pimples but he was still a great singer. His albums became one of the best-selling album of all time.
- Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Stink and The World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers by Megan McDonald

When Stink went on a field trip to the everyone stinks exhibit at the science museum, he discovers that his nose has a great sniffing ability. Not long after that, he becomes interesting in all smelly stuff such as toilet water, corpse flower and all smelly things. And the next week, The World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers competition will be held. But surprisingly, one of the judges had a fever and could not smell really well. So Stink was chosen to be one of the judges. And Stink, kind of, became the HERO of the day.


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Stink and The Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker by Megan McDonald

Stink Moody was in a candy store. Even with all those delicious candies around him, he only payed attention to one of the candies, The Super-Galactic Jawbreaker. After he finished his jawbreaker, he felt so mad about it because it didn't even break a jaw. So he sent a letter to the jawbreaker company to tell the company that the candy didn't break his jaw. After a couple of days, he received a package from the jawbreaker company. The company gave him 21,280 jawbreakers to say their sorry. Suddenly, he had a super-galactic idea. If he can send one letter, he can send two or three or even four letters. So he sent letters to different companies and he received lots of packages with full of stuff for him. But he didn't realize that their was one important letter that he didn't read. A letter from his best friend.


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Stink The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald

Stink asked his sister, Judy, to measure him everyday. But everyday, his height will constantly stay at three feet and eight inches tall. One day, he suddenly realized that he was shrinking. He became short, shorter and shorter.


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

The Battle of the Labyrinth is the fourth book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. In this book, time is running out as the battle between the Olympians and the evil titan Lord Kronos draws near. The evil titan's first stop will be at Camp Half-blood. To avoid his army from invading their camp, Percy and his Half-blood friends, Grover and Tyson, leaded by Annebeth has to set of for a quest through Daedalus' Labyrinth- an underworld maze with full of surprises at every turn.


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Who was Genghis Khan by Nico Medina

Genghis Khan is the ruler of the greatest empire in history( The Mongolian empire). One time, when his tribe was on Burkhan Khaladun, they officially proclaimed Temujin as their leader. He was also given the name Chinggis Khan but today, he is known more commonly as Genghis Khan.


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

First, I want to thank Lily for suggesting this book, I love it, anyway, I don't think Franny was Suzanne (Suzy) (Zu) 'best friend after she kinda betrayed Suzy for going to Aubrey's group, but I'm sure, Suzy still thought Franny the Strawberry girl, as her best friend ever. At Franny's funeral, she hated Franny being dead, she hated Aubrey and Molly were crying, she hated she couldn't say anything to Franny, and like I make my point, Suzy, still thinks Franny as her BFF, a big life change, but a life change that contains even bigger life change and life problems.


-Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

I'm tired lately, 'cause I'm going to MIT camp, and I need to wake up at 6, and it ends at 5.


-Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Blooming At The Texas Sunrise Motel Kimberly Willis Holt

Stevie's life was happy and peaceful.Then her parents are kill in a accident and she is sent to live with her grandfather Winston, that's
she never met, in his rundown motel. Although she is charmed by the little town and the people that work in the motel. Stevie's is struggling to connect with her grandfather and she suspects he is a hiding a secret from her. After another hard separation from each other Winston begins to realize that Stevie has taken root in the motel and his heart.

-Gisela, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

The Nest by Kenneth Oppel/illustrated by Jon Klassen

I don't normally read chapter books with pictures (weekly challenge: new formats!), but this weekend I read The Nest and it was...TERRIFYING.


If you have not read it, the basic plot is that the narrator's baby brother is very sick, and these strange wasps start talking to him in his dreams about how they're going to fix the baby, and then an enormous wasp nest appears at the boy's house and it keeps growing bigger and bigger and things keep getting stranger and stranger and then--I don't want to ruin the ending, but the book felt creepy and unsettling in ways I didn't expect, and it was very spooky and otherworldly, and also very good. Jon Klassen's illustrations made it even more ominous.


I would definitely recommend this book, particularly if you're participating in the Massachusetts Children's Book Awards!




-Librarian Kelsey

The Seventh Most Important Thing Shelley Pearsall

In 1963 Arthur Owens father had died and he is still adapting to the change.So when the "junk man'' wears his father's hat its too much for Arthur to handle. He picks up a brick and throws it at the
junk man.So now he is pushing a grocery cart and collecting
the seven most important things for the junk man's project. When
Arthur finds out what the project is he knows he can't let it go to scarp. So he is determined to do everything he can to save the junk mans project.


-Gisela, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Stella By Starlight Sharon M. Draper

It's the 1960's in Bumblebee Carolina Stella and her black community were peaceful and happy with their lives. Then one night her and her brother see something terrifying:The Ku Klux Klan burning the cross! Everyone is terrified of what the Klan will do.That's not all prejudice and racism makes their way into Stella's life.In times of need Stella learns to put her fears aside and be brave not just for her but for her whole community.

-Gisela, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Ship of Dolls

Eleven year old Lexie longs to be with her mother again in San Francisco but Toby her new husband thinks they are not suitable to take care of her. So instead Lexie is living with her strict grandparents in Portland Oregon.At school her class is getting ready to send a Friendship doll to the girls in Japan and the girl with the best letter to accompany the doll will win a ticket to the Farewell ceremony in San Francisco.If Lexie wins then she could be reunited with her mom.She just has to be the winner.


-Gisela, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

The Far Side Gallery 4 by Gary Larson

ANIMALS BE [deleted]!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The animals are taking over. They are having relationships with humans. They are murdering humans. They are having gunfights. They are milking humans. They are doing crude things.
The Cavemen are being dumb. Plumbing isn't cheap to fix. Everyone has a rock collection. The mammoth's tail isn't used anymore.
This book is full of [deleted by Gary Larson himself]!!!!
WARNING: DO NOT READ unless you want to laugh yourself to death.


-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School


*note from the librarian: we did not actually delete any portions of this review*

The Land of Stories: The Mother Goose Diaries

Mother Goose tells her stories throughout the ages: how she started The Renaissance, how she loved Leonardo Da Vinci, how Amelia Earhart outwitted her and lived on an island.
But don't let me bore you with this fiction.
Oh, wait.........
It is a FACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you say it isn't, you will get dive - bombed by a giant goose and a short tempered lady in a bonnet riding the goose.
Don't say I didn't warn you.

-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

Skip School, Fly to Space by Stephan T. Pastis

This is a pearls before swine collection.
The Crocs are out to get Zeeba. However, they aren't that intelligent. In their funny adventures to eat Zeeba the Zebra, they get sidetracked. As a result the Fantastic Four are born. There's only three of them.
Rat is the king of evil. He makes Pig suffer, and Pig never realizes it. So even if Rat makes a "Cool" fence and an "Uncool" fence and makes Pig stand behind the "Uncool" fence, Pig is clueless.
Goat just stands by and watches as everyone gets pummeled by stupidity. It's a whole new world with talking animals and TV hosts.


-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures by Heather Breckel and Shawn Lee

This book is based on Nickelodeon's hit TV series, TMNT. The turtles battle tons of villains (and love one of them.) including Spider Bytez, a malfuctioning robot, the Kraang, Snakeweed, Karai, and the thirst for pizza.
There is too much pizza. If eaten, you may either burst with happiness, get a major stomachache, or die. Please do not eat as much pizza as the turtles eat. Remember, they are mutant just like the Rat King and that Mutant Monkey.

-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

Mother Daughter Book Camp

Ok, so for once I have a better name for this. It should be called counselor-camper book camp, because now the girls are 18 and are counselors at a sleepaway camp running a book club for once. Since this is the final book, they girls are heading off to college, so the ending especially bittersweet. But there's also a lot of reflection on the past, as all the characters have matured a lot. I recommend this whole series to middle school girls.


-Margaret, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Planet Tad

Planet Tad, by Tim Carvell is an amazing book. Tim Carvell is a head writer for the Daily show so naturally it is very funny. This book is a blog which I normally don't read. Planet Tad appears in Mad Magazine the book takes place over exactly one year. If you like it there are many sequels. In this book Tad is going into 8th grade and it involves him going to get a summer job, a mishap at a new girls halloween party, his 7 year old sister blackmailing him about faking sick and much much more. I strongly recommend it for people who like funny things.

- Gabriel, Grade 6, Parts and Crafts

The Forget-Me-Not Summer

The Forget-Me-Not Summer is a book about three sisters who go to stay in a Massachusetts beach town with their aunt. I really like this book because I can relate to the oldest sister, Marigold, because she is an actress (and because she is the oldest). I recommend this book because it is funny, sweet, and I just loved it!


-Lillian, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of NIMH

A group of God-playing doctors begin creating super-intelligent rats, with the hope of using them for some unknown purpose. But before the doctors are done with the experiments the rats form a plan and escape the laboratory. This plot sounds like it could began a horror or somewhat edgy plot, and in a few ways, it does. The first view the readers see of NIMH is a large brutalist building, and a white van appearing in the middle the night to capture rats. NIMH appears large, faceless, and apparently, merciless. However, soon the author introduces the NIMH characters in more detail and begins humanizing them-he even gives them names. The rats are, also, instead of being portrayed as horrible experiments gone wrong, are more like the characters in the borrowers-cute and smart. It is fun to watch the ways they live-harvesting light bulbs, living in a rose bush. However, it would be untrue to say there is no tingly parts.


-Chris, Grade 8, CSCL

Crazy Fish Norma Fox Mazer

Eleven year old Joyce lives near a dump but doesn't complain about it.She likes being around her uncle, old dad and helping him out.At school all the kids tease about her living in a dump.Then things start to turn around.Theirs a new custodian named Ms.Fish
that the kids like to tease and call her ''crazy fish''. At first Joyce hates her for dancing around, letting the kids tease her.Then Joyce
gets to know her and they became friends.Then Ms.Fish changes Joyce's life forever.

-Gisela, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Mocking Bird by Kathryn Erskine

Caitlin and her father are dealing with the loss of her brother, Devon. She wants to help her father and herself but as a 10 year old with Asperger syndrome there's not much she can do. But then she realizes it's closure that they need. the only thing is how? How can she find closure for her and her father?


-Gisela, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

The Someday Birds

This book is about a boy named Charlie who goes on a road trip with his siblings, a secretive family friend, and a three legged dog.Together, they travel across the country along with chaos to see their father again at the hospital. Meanwhile Charlie is scouting for birds on his someday birds list that he and his dad made. He hopes that maybe finding the someday birds will bring his father home.


-Gisela, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Wish you Were Eyre by Heather Vogel Frederick

In this installment of the mother-daughter book club series (...), one of the main characters takes a trip to Paris. I loved all the descriptions of the city! In addition, there are other issues at home, and this group of friends becomes closer than ever trying to survive it all. Plus, they're reading Jane Eyre.

-Margaret, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

I am going to go to a summer camp today I didn't know I was going to until last week!


-Emilia, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Dark Lord* By Jamie Thompson *The early years

If you could rewrite one part of the story, what would you change?


I would rewrite the part where Chris and Sooz look at each other because they know something Dirk does not. I would actually just take that part out because then in the end it isn't such a surprise. I think if we are seeing it ( for the most part) trough different eyes, who don't know that much about the big thing they got pulled into, you kind of already know more than the main character does.


-Emilia, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Chasing Redbird, by Sharon Creech

Which minor character in this book would you like to know more about? If there were a whole book about them, what would it be called?


I would like to learn more about Uncle Nate. I would like to learn more about Uncle Nate's personality. For example, there have been tragic events in this book and you can see that Uncle Nate is upset but I would like to know more about his stream of thoughts. Uncle Nate's younger life is talked about in the book, but I feel there are some missing pieces about it. I would like to find out more information about his life close to the time he met Aunt Jessie. If there were to be a book about him, it would be called The Redbird's Mate. In conclusion, I would like to discover more about this interesting character.


-James, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Among the Free By: Margaret Haddix

What character(s) in this book would you most and least like to be friends with, and why?


I think I would least like to be friends with Aldous Krakenaur. I would least like to be friends with him because he leads a very bad organization. For example, his organization kills people or badly hurts them because they spoke out of turn or didn't do a small task right. I do not believe his organization's consequences for those kind of actions is sane. I also would not like to be friends with him because I disagree with his strong ideal. He wants to kill people who I think should have the right to live. In the end, Aldous Krakenaur is the person in this book that I would least want to be friends with.


-James, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

A cat (Trixie) attempted to bite me, and I guess, she kinda did bite me, and a puppy, (Sammy) licked me half to death.


-Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

If you could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, what would it be?


I want to ask the author why she dicided to make the beginning so tragic, because Esperanza could have had a better life if her dad hadn't died and then she could have had a better life, with her dad, without Tio Luis ruining their lives and and having better food, money, and of course, family. Since all that were taken away, and her mother got real sick, and I wanted the ending to be tragic also, that would have been so cool, and yeah.


-Amy, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Land of Stories: Worlds Collide by Chris Colfer

This is the last book in the series. Alex has turned evil, Arthur is determined to find her and save her, and so is Rook. The trio of storybook villains is taking over the Otherworld. Most of all, now there are too many enemies to fight. Alex is under a spell, and Morina controls her. As Morina plots to take over the worlds all by herself, the witches make sure that the otherworld notices.
Will Connor be able to save the Otherworld, or will a nuke be dropped on New York?


-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood by Nathan Hale

Serbia is angry with Austria - Hungary. The Austria - Hungarian Empire has taken a part of Serbia, and now Austria - Hungary will PAY.
War starts when a high official is shot. Soon a full scale war is on everyone's hands, and now new weapons are being invented. New tanks, new guns, flamethrowers, iron helmets, and too many trenches. Soon the war will be filled with just mud, as now World War I is being taught to kids. The people are now cute little animals.


-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

Nnewts: The Battle for Amphibopolis by Doug TenNapel

Herk is turning into a Lizzark. Zerk is a wizzark. Sissy is on the wrong side. The siblings all think that restoring the Snake Lord to the sky will set up a democracy, but instead the Snake Lord kills Orion.
Now, Herk is using angry magic. he threatens to be possesed by the Blakk Mudd. Will the Nnewts win, or will the Chillingwrath rise again?


-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan

Apollo is a mortal with ungodlike flesh. Apollo stumbles along a secret bunker in his travels with Leo and Calypso. This unlikely trio consists of the bronze fire eater, an ex - titaness and sorceress, and what used to be a god. Apollo must go through his trials to become a god. However, Apollo learns that mortal compassion is more than he can take.
Because this time, he's battling the second emperor: Commodus, who was the only person that Apollo ever knew that he had murdered.
Apollo's a god. He shouldn't know.


-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

Queen Red Riding Hood's Guide to Royalty by Chris Colfer

This book is stuck up and big headed.
Literally. The narrator is Queen Red Riding Hood, queen of the Center Kingdom. In this guide she explains how to stay the royal and how to look royal - ish, but not as much as herself. Also, always wear huge diamonds.

This is loaded with hilarious commentary. You should read it... after you read the other Land of Stories books.


-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

Night of The Nindroids by Greg Farshtey and Jolyon Yates

The Overlord has risen again, but now instead of Stone Warriors he has NINDROIDS!! They are ninja droids, and when they invite Zane to become one of them and capture the ninja, Zane relents. However, Zane has a few wishes of his own to accomplish...

This book is not in the Lego Ninjago TV series


-Bruce, Grade 7, Cambridge Street Upper School

The descendants by De la Cruz

What character(s) in this book would you most and least like to be friends with, and why?


I would least want to be friends with Maleficent, because in this story, she was the villan who was trying to convince make, (her daughter), to get her scepter that was hidden inside her castle. In addition, Maleficent is very rude, and is cold-hearted. She is very selfish and does not care for her daughter mal like a daughter, she thinks of mal more as a slave.


-Ella, Grade 7, Putnam Ave Upper School

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?


I would recommend this book to people who like non-cliche, dystopian worlds. This book is amazing! Very moving. It set in a world wear people burn books because they're too controversial. (Fahrenheit 451 is the heat at which paper burns.) But this fireman - who's job is to burn books - realizes that his world were war is a constant, people stay inside, everything is on tv, and school s fleeting is not a good one. This book is moving and a highly recommend it.




-Lily, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

My dog - Sammie - is constantly barking at my cats trying to get them to play, as it's getting annoying.


-Lily, Grade 6, Vassal Lane Upper School

Who was Alexander Graham Bell by Bonnie Bader

Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish-born scientist, inventor, engineer, and innovator. Alexander was best known as the inventor of the telephone, worked at a school for the deaf while attempting to invent a machine that would transmit sound by electricity. After reading this book, I just found out that he was also a boy who gave himself a middle name, 'Graham' just before he was about to turn eleven. Alexander is one of the greatest inventors of all time because of his great inventions such as the telephone, metal detector, photo phone, tetrahedral kite, HD-4* and some other inventions.

*Hydrodome number 4 was an early research hydrofoil watercraft developed by the scientist Alexander Graham Bell.


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Who was J.R.R. Tolkien by Pam Polack & Meg Belviso

J.R.R. Tolkien was the creator of The Hobbits and The Lord of the Rings. He was naturally gifted with languages and used this skill as a signals officer in World War I as well as in his fantasy writing. J.R.R. Tolkien was also gifted to be capable of reading and writing at the age of 4. He was very incredible for that. And he was a boy who loved ancient languages and myths.


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Who was Muhammad Ali by James Buckley Jr.

At the age of 22, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. won the heavyweight championship. On the same year, he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Ali was nicknamed 'the greatest '. And as people say, he floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. Until now he is still known as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

Who was Abraham Lincoln by Janet B. Pascal

Abraham Lincoln was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Abraham Lincoln only had one year of schooling, but that didn't stop him from being one of the greatest president of The United States. Abraham Lincoln was also a practical joker and he was always nice to his friends. Because paper was expensive and hard to get, he wrote up messages on a piece of wood. When the wood got so black he couldn't see what he was writing, he would shave it off. Then he would start over again.

Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

What else is new?

riddle!!

what tastes better than it smells??


-Isabella, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Locomotion - Jacqueline Woodson

Locomotion is about a boy LOnnie COllins MOTION, whose parents die in a fire, he is sent into Foster Care aswell as his sister. The book is formed in poetry, so its a quick and great read!


-Isabella, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

Percy Jackson and The Olympians:The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school.... again. But Percy seems to not really care about it. His worst problem is that Zeus's lightning bolt is missing and Percy is the prime suspect. Now Percy was sent to a special camp for half bloods called Camp Half-blood. Percy and his friends, Annebeth and Grover was also sent from the camp for a quest to find the actual thief of Zeus's lightning bolt. But it wouldn't be that easy because he also has has to defeat a lot of horrible monsters, solve the riddle of the Oracle* which warns him of the betrayal of a friend and unravel a treachery more powerful than the god themselves.

* A prophecy teller


-Abdul, Grade 7, Vassal Lane Upper School

A Series Of Unfortunate Events #3 Wide Window - Lemony Snicket

The Wide Window is the 3rd book in the Series of Unfortunate Events series. In this one Violet, Klaus & Sunny are living at their Aunt Josephines house, who is into grammar and has PTSD from her husband dying, which makes her afraid of many things.

A Series of Unfortunate Events could be a long read, but if you get into it it's really good! This is the 3rd book out of a 13 book series. The series is very good, and funny!




-Isabella, Grade 6, Cambridge Street Upper School

What Else is New?

I went to Niagara Falls, and it was the best trip ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The water's icy though.

I SUGGEST Niagara Falls FOR A TRIP!!!!!

-Amy, 6th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I think Cedric's death could have been less rougher, maybe? I mean, Cedric, he died at a graveyard, killed by the (traitorous) Wormtail (Peter Pettigrew) and after, there's bunch of Death Eaters, and some torturing, and stuff, and Priori Incantatem stuff. (and it's much scarier if you see the movie first.) But anyway, Cedric's death was worse than any other people who died earlier or later in the book, 'cause all the stuff I wrote back up there.

-Amy, 6th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Steve Jobs Insanely Great-Jessie Hartland

Steve Jobs Insanely Great is a graphic novel about Steve Jobs, it gives a broad history of many key parts of his life. Its a quick but good read, and not too sad. Its a very interesting auto-biography, and it teaches you some pretty cool stuff about him.

-Isabella, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

A long Walk to Water-Linda Sue Park

A long Walk to Water, has 2 different stories in the one book. The main one is about Salva Dut, whose town was attacked. He is unsure where his parents are, so he joins a group that will walk to a camp in Ethiopia.

The plotline is a true story, but some scenes are made up. Salva Dut is a real person. Although he lives in New York now, he started a program to give healthy water to people in Southern Sudan, as people get illnesses from drinking dirty water.

-Isabella, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Because of Mr Terupt by Rob Buyea

Because of Mr Terupt is a 7 POV novel about a classroom of 7 kids who havent gotten ecspecially well in the past school years, but when a new teacher teaches the 5th grade class, they come together. But soon after that, Mr Terupt is in an accident. And everyone needs to pull together.

The book is pretty long, but once you get into it you can read it very quickly.

-Isabella, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School