Demon Dentist

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

Many kids HATE going to the dentist, and I woon't blame them. The strong shinning light in your mouth ticles your teeth and it is hard to keep it open. I HATE the dentist as well, and after reading this book I was not convinced that going to the dentist was a great thing. But a message stood out. Most of the middle school kids don't believe in the tooth fairy , the easter bunny, or even the tooth fairy. They think those are stories for toddlers, and they know that the parents are behind that. I am not saying that if you are one of those people you are bad, but it is not what you get from those mythical creatures. It is their spirit, when you believe in them you feel happy, excited, and maybe anxious sometimes. Laslty I believe that believing in them is like believing in one of your teamates, that you do not want to let down.

-Luna, 7th Grade, VLUS

What Else Is New?

Why did the man love his barbecue? – Because it was the grill of his dreams.
What does the sun drink out of? – Sunglasses.
What do you call a fish with no eyes? – A fsh.

-Luna, 7th Grade, VLUS

What Else Is New?

Joke: Why don't they play poker in the jungle ?

Answer: Because there are too many Cheetahs.

Joke#2: What do you call a Gull that flies over the bay

Answer: A Bagel

-Nicolas, 7th Grade, VLUS

Restart by Gordon Korman

What would you want to see happen to the characters after this book (or the last of the series) ends?

The Book Resart by Gordon Korman is about this big middle school sports star that falls off his roof and gets amnesia so he gets to restart his life at 13 years of age. Before the fall, he was a big bully and was the star player in the Hiawasse Middle School Football team so he got away with most of his troubles but before he had amnesia, a kid- was bullied so bad after having cherry bombs explode during his piano recital was sent away to a boarding school. Another important part of the story is that the old Chase had stolen Mr. Solway's- the war hero that lived at the House for old where he was assigned to do Community work after the incident- Medal. To tie this back to the question, I'd like to know and I would want to see his friends' reactions after the court hearing.

Nicolas, 7th Grade, VLUS

Moth Flight's Vision by Erin Hunter

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

It has been a while since I had read a warriors book, and this book was a good example of how much I loved them. Moth flight was easy to relate to, with her forgivable mistakes and big heart. It was very emotional at some parts, and it was hard to tear myself away at others. So good, I would recommend it to anyone who has finished the "Dawn of the Clans series" and is looking for a continuation

-Avery, 7th Grade, Cambridge Friends School

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

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 Lucy, and what happened to her. It would also be cool if there was a sequel that took place in the school year of everyone's parents.

-Avery, 7th Grade, Cambridge Friends School

Wonder by R,J Palicio

If this book were set 100 years in the future or the past from when it takes place, what might be different about the plot, characters, etc.

 I WONDER* if in a different place and time Auggie would be more welcome. Probably not 100 years in the past (one, people weren't more accepting back then. Two August might not even survive, how new is the type of medical stuff that helped him?). Maybe in the future more people would know more, and know to be nicer, or maybe not even be surprised at differences at all?

*haha

-Avery, 7th Grade, Cambridge Friends School

Short Holly Goldberg Slone

This book is about a girl who is short or lets just say small. She is cast as a munchkin in the summer play, The Wizard of Oz. As the summer goes on she makes new friends and discovers a part of herself that she has never see before.

-Gisela, 6th Grade, CSUS

Four by Veronica Roth

Four is kind of like an add-on to the Divergent Trilogy, which I live, love, ship, feel, cry, dream, roleplay, fanfiction, movie trailr, premiere, fanart, fangirl, picture, edit.... Yeah OK it's kind of like my passion. Four is narrated by one of the most important characters in the Divergent Trilogy, Four. (He even trades narrating with the main character every once in a while during the third book) Four was actually going to be the main character of Divergent. The author revealed that in the author's note of "Four".The author wanted to write more about HIM. Four has a very interesting story. His family, his past, his fears. It's all twisted up in a long braid of pain. The readers know about it, because he talks about it to the main character, but we never get in really big details or anything. Four has 4 short stories. The Transfer, The Initiate, The Son and The Traitor, plus a few important parts of the trilogy in FOUR's point of view. The part in the back gives you a dive into his thoughts. It also makes you want to read it. ONE CHOICE breaks free of his past ONE CHOICE embraces his future ONE CHOICE exposes the dangers ONE CHOICE changes him--- forever ONE CHOICE WILL FREE HIM. What exactly, is the choice he makes? What will it free him from? Find out! Read the book "Four by Veronica Roth" and you will not regret it! (I recommend you read the Divergent Trilogy first. It will be more exciting if you have read those books, and you will probably understand it all more.) PS- The book can also be called "Free Four" depending on what version it is.

What else is new?

I'm tired.

-Ana, 6th Grade, Amigos

World Without Fish By Mark Kurlansky

World Without Fish. Can you imagine that? That is what is happening right now. Fish are disappearing from the ocean. This book is raising awareness about the danger the entire WORLD is in without fish. This book can be a little scary at parts when it's getting into some parts, but it's thought provoking and sad. If you don't want to read as long or complicated things, there is also a series of one page comics that also summarizes the big idea of the chapter. This book is a MUST READ for anyone of all reading levels and all types of people. I myself don't read non-fiction much, but this book opened my mind so much. Just a few fish gone can change the world. And not in a good way...

What else is new?

If you ever read this book, please please please please please tell others about it. We can still change the way we do things. We don't have to let this happen. Enjoy!!

-Emilia, 6th Grade, VLUS

Upside Down Magic: Sticks and Stones

his is the amazing sequel to Upside Down Magic, which I read before the blogging started so you won't find the first book on a blog, but I think someone else read that and blogged about it so read that! In this book, everything is becoming rocks. Lockers, money, notebooks, all rock. The normal magic kids blame the Upside Down Magic class. The UDM class knows they didn't do it. Then the UDM kids have to face their old enemy: Lacey Clench and her fire magic Flare group, the Sparkies. They plan on kicking the UDM class out of the school. But the UDM kids plan on staying right here...

What else is new?

I would like to be a Fluxer if I were in this book. Then I could change into animals!

-Emilia, 6th Grade, VLUS

Upside Down Magic: Showing Off By Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins

This is the third (and hopefully not last) book in the Upside Down Magic series in which the school talent show is around the corner, and the Upside Down Magic class will participate! But between all their odd powers, they don't know what to do. Then Nory finds out her family is going to see her at the show and everything gets 100% more complicated. This book will be next on your reading list, right after

-Emilia, 6th Grade, VLUS

Sideways Stories From Wayside School by Louis Sachar

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
I will recommend this book to people how are silly. And like funny things because in this book Ms. Gorf turns every student in the 30th floor in to apples by wiggling her ears and stick out her tongues and turn the students into apples. Now that weird and funny. (smiley face)
- Saifka, 6th grade, VLUS

The Wolf Keepers by Elise Broach

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
If I had to become one of the characters in this story I would become Lizzie Durango. Lizze lives at a zoo with her father and spends her days with the animals. It would be great to Lizzie because she can be at the zoo whenever she wants and can get free food from the concession stands.
- 8th grader

Shooting Kabul by N. H. Senzai

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?
A minor character in this story that I would like to know more about is Mariam. For the majority of the book, Mariam is in Afghanistan trying to find her family. It would be very interesting to see what Mariam's journey was like and what happened to her while she was in Afghanistan.
- 8th grader

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

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 Number Two's early life. I would like to learn more about her early life because she is just seen as a hungry woman who helps Mr. Benedict and passes out quizzes. That is not such a big role. I have many questions about her. How old is she? Did her family die? Does she like being called "Number Two?" If I were to write a book about her, I would call it "The Early Days of Ms. 'Number Two.'" I wonder if she had trauma in her past. Is there enemies after her? Was her family kind? Is she a skilled fighter? I wonder if she ever journeys far from Mr. Benedict. All in all, The Mysterious Benedict Society is a great book. It has tons of action and baffling mysteries. I savored the entire book so I had to write more than one blog post about it.
- James, 6th grade, VLUS

George by Alex Gino

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
When people look at George they see a boy. But he knows he's not a boy he knows he's a girl. They have to do a play about Charlottes Web and George really wants to be Charlotte. His teacher says he can't be Charlotte because he's not a girl. I recommend this book to all readers.
- Callie, 6th grade, Amigos

What Else is New?

Joke: What do you call a group of unorganized cats ?

Answer: A cat-astrophy

HAHA
- Nicolas, 7th grade, VLUS

The Warden's Daughter by Jerry Spinelli

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 Cammie fights with Eloda (Cammie's trustee) and then starts smoking cigarettes to get her attention. I would rewrite that part because I thought that she had gone too far to try to get Eloda's attention so that she can be treated from Eloda the way she thought her mother would have. Though, what's very interesting is that at the end, when we get to read Eloda's diary we can see that she did catch her attention but that Eloda didn't want to act. I would rewrite that by skipping that part of the story. Other than that the book is great and cool to read.
- Nicolas, 7th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

What time is it?
SUMMERTIME

(I'm very fond of singing)
- Ana, 6th grade, Amigos

Babymouse: Queen of the World by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Babymouse Queen of the World is great book with a lesson for all. How to stick with friends no matter how chances of popularity comes, which is an issue for most teens. So this book will teach how important friendship is and how it is worth more than being popular.
Kiersten, 6th grade, PAUS

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

Forge is the sequel to the book Chains, and it is followed by Ashes. Together they form a trilogy called the Seeds of America. Forge is from the point of view of a different character as Chains. Curzon, a friend of Isabel's. Not only was Forge fascinating because it was from a different character's point of view, but the previous book, Chains, ended in a cliffhanger, so it was just all very, very exciting. It is hard to do this review without spoiling the first book, but it is hard. I am trying. I like when characters have a reference to them before we learn their real name. (Like in the Hunger Games, Peeta Mellark is referred to as "the boy with the bread") In the book Chains, Curzon is referred to as "the boy with the red hat". That phrase will stay with me forever. Whenever I think of Curzon, the phrase pops into my mind: "The Boy With The Red Hat".

I know I'm getting off point here, so here's my cetral idea on all of this:
Put Forge on your reading list. But first you have to read Chains because it just makes it all way better.
- Ana, 6th grade, Amigos

What Else is New?

Now I am reading Space case by Stuart Gibbs.
- Sofia, 6th grade, Amigos

The Truth of Me by Patricia MacLachlan

You know how in a lot of books the main character (witch is a kid) has a dog for her/his best friend? Well, Robert has two best friends: his dog and his grandmother. Robert doesn't exactly have parents that always act like they adore him. In fact, his mother likes her violin better than Robert!
Every summer, Robert goes to his grandmother Maddy's house while his parents and their band go on tour to Europe. And he loves it! Maddy also knows how Robert's relationship with his mother hurts him, and she lets him know why his mother treats him this way. This book made me feel sad at times but not all the parts are sad. It also made me appreciate my friends and family.
I highly recommend The Truth of Me.
- Sofia, 6th grade, Amigos

Sisters By Raina Telgemeier

I loved this sequel to Smile in every way. The flashbacks got pulled in even more because the flashbacks and present parts both told a story that came back to one another. Also, the drawing are amazing! this is a graphic novel, so pictures are very important! this book is great, and I would recommend it to everyone!
- Emilia, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

While I was writing this, there was a thunderstorm, so the windows were COVERED in water and I couldn't see outside!
- Emilia, 6th grade, VLUS

Tomboy by Liz Prince

I L O V E D this book!! Its a autobiography graphic novel about the author, Liz Prince, growing up as a tomboy at a time and place where kids like her were just not accepted. She feels like she is so out of place, nobody understands her, and she is the only one. This book takes us through Liz's life in Elementary, Middle, and High school, while she deals with herself, bullys,
boys, girls, and the liars of the world.

This is a book I would DEFINITELY recommend to anyone in the world, almost!
- Emilia, 6th grade, VLUS

Brave by Svetlana Chmakova

This book is about a boy and his experience with bullying and the difference between friends joking around and being mean.
- Gisela, 6th grade, CSUS

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
One part of the book the gave me a strong angry feeling was how there is some guy who physically bullies someone for how that person acts. Like how he shoved Greg in for his changed comic strip by Mr. Ira and called him "Teachers Pet". Which makes no sense at all!
- Kiersten, 6th grade, PAUS

Dork Diaries: Tales of a Not-So Smart Miss Know-It-All by Rachel Russell

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
I would be Mr. Zimmerman in this book. It's because, I wonder why he is carefree and cranky. If I become him, I could see why he acts nonchalantly.
- Kiersten, 6th grade, PAUS

Loser by Jerry Spinelli

What character(s) in this book would you most and least like to be friends with, and why?
I would be friends with Zinkoff because, he is enthusiastic, unique, and fun to hang around. Plus I feel bad how he is treated unimportant where he lives so he needs a friend:which I'll be glad to be one to him. So that is why I would befriend Zinkoff.
- Kiersten, 6th grade, PAUS

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

This book is about a fifteenth year old who dies and ends up in place called elsewhere. She finds herself
longing for her old life with family and friends.With time she adjust to her new life and becomes happy with the way things are.
- Gisela, 6th grade, CSUS

Shattered Warrior by Sharon Shinn

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?
The character whom I would like to know more about is Ridley. This is because he dies very quickly in the book, and we don't really see much of him. However, there is some kind of deeper brotherly relationship between Ridley and Jann. I think it would be very interesting to learn more about Ridley's backstory and the origins of his group of Chromati, as well as showing more the relationships between Ridley, Jann, Staibel, and the rest of their band of Chromati. I would be happy to read a prequel that would explore more of the backstory behind Ridely, Jann, Lucy, Michi, and Anjit. It's obvious by the ending of the book that there will be a sequel to Shattered Warrior, but I think that at the series end, a prequel delving deeper into the backstories of minor characters would add a new level to all of the books.
- 8th grader

Philippa Fisher's Fairy Godsister by Liz Kessler

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
If you could or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose and why? I would choose to be Daisy because she made a LOT of mistakes. She was mean to Philippa and never really gave her the chance to be nice to her. I would've listened to Philippa and actually be nice to her from the start(unlike daisy). Eventually, Daisy is FINALLY nice to Philippa and grants Philippa's 3 wishes.
- 6th grader

Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

If you could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, what would it be?
I would ask Rick Riordan what inspired him to write the Percy Jackson series and why. Is it because he likes Greek mythology? If so, I understand that because I love Greek mythology, too. And I also wonder what inspired him to make the main character, Percy.
- Lillian, 6th grade, CSUS

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
The book is about a girl and her best friend who do everything together. Their names are Astrid and Nicole. One day, Astrid's mom takes them to a roller derby event and Astrid loves it. Nicole goes to a dance camp instead. Astrid has a rough time at derby boot camp without Nicole because she's not very good and doesn't have any friends. She finally finds a friend, Zoey, and stops being Nincole's friend.
Its a graphic novel so there are a lot of pictures that help tell the story.
- Drew, 8th grade, PAUS

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan is a great book. It isn't in the usual format for books, but that makes it interesting to read. It is a touching story about a captive gorilla living in circus themed mall, whose life is changed when he meets a baby elephant named Ruby. Some parts of the book are very emotional, both tragic and joyful. I recommend this book to all readers
- Virginia, 6th grade, Amigos

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

If you could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, what would it be?
Number the Stars is the story of a Nazi occupied Denmark at the beginning of World war two. The main character Annmarie has always felt the impacts of the war and she thought that she had felt loss until her best friend Ellen, who is Jewish, is targeted by the Nazi's. Annmarie her mother and her sister must help Ellen and her family make a daring escape from Denmark to Sweden.

I would ask Lois Lowry if she got some inspiration for the book from Anne Franks diary since there are some similarities between Number the Stars and Anne's diary.
- 7th grader

Alex & Eliza by Melissa De La Cruz

The book Alex and Eliza is a story about Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler from the time that they met to their wedding. It is a love story but there is also action and it is funny. The book is mainly about Alex and Eliza but there are other characters as well that didn't have a lot to do with the story of Alexander Hamilton and Eliza. I would recommend this book to people that like reading historical fiction and also Hamilton fans.
- 7th grader

What Else is New?

Want to do some GOOD DEEDS?




Just SMILE!!






YUP!! YOU'VE JUST DONE A GOOD DEED!!
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

The Hobbit 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'd like to be the Hobbit living in the Hobbit-hole because I prefer to be alone than being with my siblings. Or friends you don't even know or don't know very well. Hobbit was also hoping the man who is wandering around the Hobbit-hole to leave him in peace. I need some peace from my siblings, people!!!
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

Undertow by Michael Buckley

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
(I read this book, but figured out it's pretty... Well... Romantic...?)

So, I would NOT recommend this book to others (unless you are totally fine with romance?) because this book, it's pretty good. Okay. Here's the thing. When you read the book, you absolutely have NO idea what's going on the book in the beginning. You kind of figure what's happening in the middle. And also, I would NOT NEVER EVER recommend this book if you are easily grossed out by romantic things.
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

I started going to summer camp!! The boredom is now over!!
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

The House of Month and Years by Emma Trevayne

What books would you recommend to the main character of the book and why?
I would recommend the Warriors series by Erin Hunter to Amelia, the main character because Amelia likes to read and solving mysteries, and I pretty much think Amelia would enjoy reading the Warriors series.
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

Nine Decades by William Edgerly

This book is a book of interviews. My grandfather interviewed my great grandfather on the nine decades he has lived. There is a chapter for each decade. One of my favorite stories that my great grandfather told in the book was the election story. The election story was about when my great grandfather was very sad when his U.S election candidate lost. He said in his book that he thought the "world was going to be over." Now he says that he realizes that his candidate losing wasn't the end of the world. I liked that story because it shows even if things happen that you don't like, you will still be okay. I think that is a very good life lesson that I am going to keep following. In the end, I think his book was very insightful.
- James, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

Books are Great to read with Ice Cream.
- Nicolas, 7th grade, VLUS

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
Jason Reynolds in the book Ghost made me feel strongly about was the Coach. He had his own wisdom. I liked how he was strict but in the inside warm and welcoming even after his ealy life's tragedy. This type of behavior for Coach appears at the moment when Ghost is suspended for the end of the day at his school but doesn't want his mother to worry so he calls Caoch insted who, because of his suspension, makes him run laps until he cant anymore. I also think it reflect at the instant in the story when Coach gave the track team's jerseys to everybody but him because he had seen the photo of Ghost on the store and understood that he had stolen the shoes he had.
- Nicolas, 7th grade, VLUS

The Best Man by Richard Peck

If you could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, what would it be?
This story has a strong message that some people might miss. LOVE IS THE STRONGEST FORCE IN THE WORLD. And let no one ever stop you from loving the person you love. If I could ask the author one question I would ask him, what was his inspiration for writing this book? I would also like to ask if this story is somewhat related to his life? Lastly I would ask him if he has experienced the force of love as he describes in his book?
- Luna, 7th grade, VLUS

The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz

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 started reading this book a few weeks ago and right away I started crying. In the book there is a dog named Gwenfort and she’s a dog belonging to Jeannens family. Jeannen is a girl (still a baby now) who has visions about the future. One day her parents left her and Gwenfort alone in the house. A snake later on managed to find its way into the house and up onto Jeannens crib. (her still init, asleep) Gwenfort jumped up from her nap to notice the snake. She then used her instinct to attack the snake and save Jeannen, getting blood everywhere. The parents come home and see only the blood, so not seeing the dead snake or Jeannen, and thought the dog had killed their child. They came to the decision of putting down Gwenfort. Jeannen woke up with out the dogs warmth and started crying. “ The confused parents ran to their daughters crib, just to realize they’ve made a big mistake.” on finding out the dog saved their child's li fe, Gwenfort was remembered as a saint.
- Maddy, 6th grade, CSUS

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
I would recommend "The Amber Spyglass" to readers who enjoy excitement and emotion, and to readers who enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy, "The Golden Compass" and "The Subtle Knife". The story is long and can be hard to follow, so don't try reading this book if you're not in a mood to focus your full attention on this book.
- Virginia, 6th grade, Amigos

What Else is New?

Now i am reading Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson, witch is the sequel to Chains by the same author.
- Sofia, 6th grade, Amigos

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

Have you ever wondered how long a goldfish can live? Well, certainly not seven years. That was what Ellie thought. Ellie is starting fifth grade without her best friend and beloved goldfish, when a strange boy shows up on her doorstep. He looks oddly familiar. But could it be grandpa Melvin, the scientist looking for the key to eternal youth?
I recommend The Fourteenth Goldfish to people who are looking for interesting books to read, such as this one, full of mystery!
- Sofia, 6th grade, Amigos

Mia in the Mix by Coco Simon

Mia is a fashionista. She takes after her mother. Mia also HATES Monday's.her favor day of the week is Friday. Mia is from Manhattan and has to start her life all over again in maple grove. As Mia becomes friends with Katie Alexis and Emma. They create the cupcake club. But when she keeps running into the PGC she starts to become friends with them. Her cupcake friend ends think that she is leaving them for the PGC. Later things do get resolved.
- 7th grader

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
I liked this book because it was a book about the future and rebuilding. I thought it was really cool and kind of inspiring. It was a little slow, though.
- Esme, 7th grade, VLUS

Katie and the Cupcake Cure by Coco Simon

Katie is starting middle. Her mother is a dentist but wanted to be a chef. Her father left her and her mother, when Katie was a baby. Her best friend Callie leaves her on the first day of school for some popular mean girls. She almost misses the bus and can't find a seat. Next to Mia, Mia from Manhattan. She just moved here from Manhattan because here parents just got divorced. Unlike Katie she visits her dad every other weekend. She also has a soon to be stepfather Eddie. As Katie navigates her way through middle school you get to follow her. As she meets Emma, Alexis and George and as she and her friends create the Cupcake Club. She has her ups and downs with Callie as they both make new friends.
- 7th grader

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau

This book is a prequel to the City of Ember, which was one of the summer reading books for last year. It dragged a little, but it was interesting to know more about the background of the first book. If you liked the other books, I recommend it.
- Esme, 7th grade, VLUS

Meet the Austins by Madeline L'Engle

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
I really liked this book. I was reading it before school on the playground, and it was so funny, I burst out laughing. It is by the author of the Wrinkle in Time books.
- Esme, 7th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

I'm trying to get the second book of a very interesting series, but it seems like everything is out! I am dying to see what happens next, since the book before it ends in a cliffhanger. I'm ITCHING for it to arrive to the library!
- Ana, 6th grade, Amigos

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

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?
Chains is a story about an enslaved girl and her sister who get unlawfully sold to a very cruel master after their former (and very nice. She even taught the main character, Isabel, how to read.) dies.
It will make you cry, hope, laugh, gasp in anger and terror and mostly, make you hope there is a sequel all throughout the book. And there is! Actually, Chains is part of a trilogy. The first book is in Isabel's (The enslaved girl) point of view. The second book, Forge, is in Curzon's point of view, whom she will refer to as "the boy with the red hat" when they meet. He is a rebel's slave, and has dreams of joining the army and win his own freedom, while Isabel is the slave of the King's followers, and even though at the beginning she believes in the revolution, as we get more into the book Chains, she isn't so sure what she is anymore. The last book of the trilogy, Ashes, is back to Isabel's point of view.

I recommend Chains to pretty much anyone who likes to read good books. Which I expect is everyone.
- Ana, 6th grades, Amigos

Among the Betrayed by Margret Peterson Haddix

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
Though this thing submmited itself, I will add more to it. anyway... I would 100% be Nina because though she is about to be killed and and had 2 choices. Betray, or die. I would have made the same choice as Nina because I need to save my own neck,(in this case, Nina, her own neck) and also, how can someone possibly betray a thin 10 year old boy, 9 year old boy, and 6 year old girl? I tried to not give any spoiler warnings, so yeah.
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

I finished Warriors series by Erin Hunter!!
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

Shadows of the Clans by Erin Hunter

If you could rewrite one part of the story, what would you change?
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!!
Though this book has 3 stories that are totally different from one other, I am specifically talking about Mapleshade's Vengeance. Anyway, I wish Mapleshade ended up in StarClan, not the Dark Forest because though she hated Ravenwing for telling Oakstar the truth, though she totally misunderstood Frecklewish for watching her kits die, and killed her formal mate accidently, blinded by fury, I wish she ended up in StarClan, finally happy to see her kits safe in StarClan. I really think Mapleshade deserve some happiness. She was thoroughly misunderstood, she deserves some happiness, forgetting her blood-soaked memories.
End of Spoiler Warning.
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

The Diary Of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

This book is (you guessed it!) the diary of a young girl. A young girl with a horribly sad and terrifying story that is worth telling. It was recommended to me by my parents .They really really REALLY wanted me to read it, so I just gave it a shot, and it turns out I love it! I love learning about history.
If you didn't know this, Anne Frank was a jew during the time that jews weren't really appreciated in Germany.
It is very dense with information and sometimes she forgets to mention stuff from history because of course, it's a diary, so it's meant for her, and she already knows all of that stuff. So if you are going to read this, I recommend a little researching before starting the book. It's really interesting, because I kind of expected Anne Frank to be kind of like a kid with adult thinking, and for this book to be just her story, but it is really a diary, and she really is a 13-year-old girl. She talks about everything. Boys, her friends (she gives her two cents about each of them.), and, since she IS a teenager, about her millions of fights with he rmom and how she really "doesn't like her that much". She talks about her sister and how her life changes completely. I really recommend this book to any history lovers out there, or kids like me who like to really get inside the character's mind when you are reading a book.
- Ana, 6th grade, Amigos

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

I have a lot to say about this... shockingly amazing book. I didn't get many good reviews for this book. One friend said that I shouldn't read it because she thought it was too scary and it creeped her out. My 5th Grade teacher told me that it was a good book, but it was too complicated and dense with information for me to read right now. (I was in the process of learning English at the moment. I still am, But then it was a full time job and now it's more of a hobby, metaphorically speaking)
They were both right. The book is kind of scary and it kind of give me the creeps. But in a good way. Miranda keeps getting these notes... from you. From the reader. She refers to YOU. She would say for example, "That was he day I got YOUR first note". That was kind of creepy but thrilling at the same time. (Forgive me if you didn't understand that last sentence. I still don't quite understand what the word "thrilling" means. Or if it is even a word.) You understand who you are until the end. But you can try to solve the mystery. And you probably won't understand half of the story until you read the last sentence. So, in a way, my teacher was kind of right too. For me to be able to understand parts of these stories my brain and my thoughts were working their heads off. There's many plot twists. And many of those moments when you're reading "fast and furious" because you're so into the book and then something big happens an y ou have to go back like four pages to see WHAT JUST HAPPENED.


Back to the point. "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead is a book that should definitely be at the top of your reading list. I give it five stars.
- Ana, 6th grade, Amigos

It's Raining Cupcakes By Lisa Schroeder

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
I would become Sophie, because she is good at everything she does. She ran for class president, she won. She wanted a dog, she got one. But she also is very sensitive and kind, and a great friend. You would be lucky if you were Sophie.
- 6th grader

American Street By Ibi Zobio

I do not like this book, because There is a lot of swear language in the book. this book is about a girl, who travels with her mother to America. Both are supposed to arrive to America, however Toussaint's mother (the daughter's mother), is taken by U.S immagration, leaving Toussaint alone to find her cousins, without her mother. This book talks about the journey that This young girl takes, trying to find her mother, while still struggling with the school and and family in America. This book is a extremley powerful book, that talks about the story of a girl who came back to America with struggles. The only reason I do not like this book, is because there is very strong language in this book.Hope you liked this book! :)
- 7th grader

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

What character(s) in this book would you most and least like to be friends with, and why?
I would mostly want to be friends with the group that Raina becomes friends with near the end the book, these friends are much more friendly, kind, and caring to Raina rather than another friend group she was in. I was not want to be friends with a previous friend group that Raina was in in the story, who betrayed her and made fun of her because she had braces. These friends were selfish, and were taking advantage of Raina.
- 7th grader

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This book is about Hannah Baker a senior, (I believe), who killed herself. She killed herself because of 13 reasons. Each reason represents a person. This is why the book is called 13 reasons why. Each person is a student who went to the same school as her who she had a bad experience with. Before she killed herself, she recorded 13 tapes, that each talked about each person. These tapes were sent to the one of the 13 people, and then they had to mail the tapes to the next person.This book is from Clay Jensen's point of view, who knew Hannah and liked her. This book has the genre of drama. This book is a page-turning book. If your somebody who loves heavy dramatic books, I 100% recommend this book.Something that is VERY IMPORTANT about this book, is that it is a young adult book. this is SUPER important, because this book contains inaapropriate scenes. Thank you for reading my book review, I hoped you like it! :)
- Ella, 7th grade, PAUS

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

What character(s) in this book would you most and least like to be friends with, and why?
I loved a tale dark and Grimm. I'd heard so many great things about it, but it just didn't look very good. One of my friends from sleep away camp convinced me to read it, and it turns out it's a really great book! It's a very complicated story about Hansel and Gretel running away from their house, and trying to find new parents. The narrator is hilarious, and I thought it was an amazing book. There were many characters in this book, but I know for a fact, that if I was living in their world, I know Gretel would be my best friend. We're almost twins! We're both adventurous, risk taking, nice... but I know if I lived in their world, I would also have a bunch of enemies. For 1, my dad, the kind, who executed his own child. Never in a million year, should a parent kill their child, even if it's for a "good" reason.
- Sophia, 6th grade, Chenery Middle School

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
I would definitely recommend this book because it is exciting, funny, scary, sad. I would recommend it to anybody who likes an adventure. Also, if you like it, there are three more books in the series.
- Valentin, 6th grade, CSUS

Who Was Anne Frank? By Ann Abramson

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
The book Who Was Anne Frank tells a wonderful story about a Jewish girl named Anne in World War II. I recommend this book to anyone who likes true stories and adventure. Another good thing about the book is that for people who are interested in reading Anne's diary but still are maybe to young, this book has enough information for younger readers.
- Maedbh, 6th grade, Amigos

I Hate Everyone but You by Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn

Ava Helmer and Gen (Genevieve) Goldman are best friends. Their both starting their first semester in college, on opposite sides of the country. They tell each other everything that's happening through email and text. But their lives are filled with school drama love and health. Can their friendship survive the distance?

(Note: I got this book from the Fresh Ink Club at Porter Square Books. Which means it's an advanced readers copy. The book will be available for purchase September 5th of this year!)


- Cat, 6th grade, CSUS

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

who would you recommend this book to and why?
i would recommend this book to anyone that is into sci-fi and long books. my reason is it is very sic-fi wish and will make you think about it days after you read it

SPOILER ALERT
if you do not want a spoiler do not read the following










there is a part where he is laying in bed and his wife is muttering something and suddenly there are three men with cigarettes and just are random talking. so if you like confusing books, then you will love farenhieght 451.
- Nate, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

if you have a book suggestion, please say so on your next post, that would be great. Thanks!
- Emilia, 6th grade, VLUS

The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

When Death has a story to tell, you listen...

When 9 year old Liesel Meminger loses both her brother and mom in 1939, she goes to Nazi Germany in Himmel street, in the town of Molching. Liesel never knew her father, so when she is placed in foster care, she tries not to think of her lost family. In Molching, Liesel makes her share of friends and enemies, as well as building up her crimes as the Book Thief with her best friend and next door neighbor, Rudy. As Liesel grows up, the book continues to be told by the mysterious narrator who takes us through Liesel's life in Nazi Germany, as The Book Theif.

This is a great book, and I loved it so much, even though at first I was like, " Nooooooo, I got this book!", my heart was stolen by the Book Thief, just as will yours.
- Emilia, 6th grade, VLUS

What is Else New?

i just got a knew multi-tool from a fire man who is super nice. my brother just went off to a sleep away camp called camp pasquany. i am super jealous of my brother. he is very nice at times but can also be very mean.
- Nate, 6th grade, VLUS

Garfield by Jim Davis

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
i would be garfield because even though he is very lazy and is a bad example to little kids, he is also very funny. he is a great character and is absolutely hilarious. he is also a good guy who hates Mondays.
- Nate, 6th grade, VLUS

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
This book is very long and I am savoring it. So I am choosing to write a blog post about it when I am not done with it yet. One part of this book made me feel sad. The part was when I learned people had been treated unfairly. It made me sad because I would hate for someone to force me to do things against my will. The part in the book also made me feel fearful. The part made me feel fearful because I am scared someone might make me forget what I know. I was nervous that bad people might try to control me. In the end, parts of this book made me feel many different emotions.
- James, 6th grade, VLUS

The Curious Incident of the dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

What would you want to see happen to the characters after this book (or the last of the series) ends?
I read this book for the school summer reading book. It was fascinating to get in the head of Christopher, who has high-functioning autism, and see how he sees the world. There were so many turning points, (it is a mystery after all,) and the entire book itself is a page-turner novel. I'd like to know about if Christopher gets his A-grade on A-level further maths and A-level physics. I also want to hear about how he does at a university. Still, the book ended in a great spot. I highly recommend the book to anyone in middle school!
- Margaret, 7th grade, VLUS

Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep

This book is the last in the series. t's about what Gwen does to destroy Loki, the Norse God of Chaos.
- Emie, 8th grade, CSUS

The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
This is a book about a girl named Rye and the strangest things that have been happening in her village. In the book, the Earl's daughter Malydia tries to buy Rye's choker off her. Now, this choker is no ordinary choker, it has powers that can only be used by the people in Rye's family. When Rye refuses, Malydia decides yo act like a royal brat and tries to ask her dad to buy it for her. It has already been said that the chocker wasn't for sale. They do not succeed in the taking of Rye's chocker.
What got me angry was the Malydia thought since she was the daughter of the Earl, she is supposed to get whatever she wants and is aloud to act like everything is for her to take freely.
- Emie, 8th grade, CSUS

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

TO me, this book was sorta confusing and I couldn't pronounce some of the names very well. I also got some characters messed up and mixed together.
- Emie, 8th grade, CSUS

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

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 would like to learn more about how it feels to be a slave that is supposed to be a free human being, who not only is a girl, but she has lost her little sister.
- Emie, 8th grade, CSUS

Some Boys by Patty Blount

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
This book is about a girl named Grace. She accuses the school's most popular boy: Zac, of rape. Ian is Zac's best friend and he sees past all the things that are said about Grace and doesn't reject her. Although, what pisses me off is this part:

"Ian?" I call him, and the effect is like pouring water on a flame...
"No skanks, just men aloud here," Jeremy calls to me.
"Guess you'll have to eat somewhere else," I shoot back.
"Back off, Bitch," He tries to look mean, but he can't pull it off.
Ian finally finds his voice. "Chill, Linz. What do you want Grace? Sense a disturbance in the force?" He snaps at me, and I flinch when the guys howl behind him... I get it. This is a court and Ian's on trial. They're making him choose---them or me.
... I shift my weight to one side, throw a challenging look Ian's way. (Come on, jerk. Bring it. I won't make this easy for you. Look me in the eyes and say it.)
... He ambles closer, examining the tray I'm still holding. "Food for me?"... He... makes a face of disgust. "You didn't touch this, did you?"... "Get the hell out of here,"(Page 238-239).

Oooh this makes so mad! Imagine she was in the Cafe because she was worried for his health and also bought him a lunch that she didn't have to!
- Emie, 8th grade, CSUS

Among The Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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 reading science fiction books, because this book is about a precedent that made a bad rule about his town. That rule was people who has a third child the child will be taken away from their parent because the population was growing too fast and there was not so many food. So that's why the precedent made that rule.
- Saifka, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

Hi! Everyone that posted that was in my class.
- Saifka, 6th grade, VLUS

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

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 want to hear more about Aunt Gertrude. I would want to hear more about her because I wonder what her perspective is. What made her so grumpy? Is there something in her past which makes her upset most of the time? If I were to make a story about her, I would call it: "The Story of Grumpy Great Aunt Gertrude." The book seems to just make her seem mean and tell nothing about why she is so mean. Did she have a near death experience? Or is just her old age getting to her? I would really like to know more about Aunt Gertrude.
- James, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

Summer is very fun!
- James, 6th grade, VLUS

Among the Imposters by Margaret Peterson Haddix

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
I would become Jen's dad. I would become him because I admire that he stands up for what he believes in. I like that he fights for what's right, and there's a risk he could die. It seems cool to be a secret double agent. He also seems like he has a good heart. One time he risked his life to save someone he had just met a couple of hours ago. He doesn't let his work get between him and his family. Also, he is very smart and sly. If he says a lie, he really makes it sound real. He only lies to fight bad people. All in all, he seems like a good character.
- James, 6th grade, VLUS

Among the Betrayed by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I have lots of questions for the author of this book. Here are some of them: How did she come up with the book? I wonder if she made the government based off a real government in the world. Did she base third children being illegal off of illegal immigrants? Was there a past event in the world that made her come up with the book's situation? I would ask her why she decided to write the book in Nina's perspective. I wonder if she thinks the book's situation might happen in real life. Does she think that the government's law in the book is right? What does the author think the most important event in the book was? Anyway, I think Margaret Haddix is a great author, and I have many questions to ask her.
- James, 6th grade, VLUS

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
There's a lot of stuff that made me feel strongly in the book; (SPOILER ALERT) like when Tom Robinson was wrongly commented of abuse when he was obviously innocent, and the only reason he was convicted was because he was African American. Also, I felt a strong since of relief and happiness when Boo (Arthur) Radley saved Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell who was trying to kill them. Relief that they were okay and happiness that though rumored to be a bad person (though her tried to prove differently. People only didn't like him because he stayed inside all the time.) he had made himself a silent hero, who for his one shyness wanted to stay unheard. I LOVE this book and there wear so many things that made me feel strongly that if I described all of them this would be a book! These are some moments that made me feel strongly in To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Lily, 6th grade, VLUS

The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz

If you could rewrite one part of the story, what would you change?
While crossing borders and riding trains through southern and central America, Jamie and his cousin Angela make friends with other travelers also making the same dangerous journey. But the group must separate and go their own ways in the middle of the book. But as the main character, Jamie, describes, in the end, they can only hope and pray that their friends got where they needed to go safely. This difficult journey from country to country can cause people to feel alone. For Jamie and his cousin. This loneliness was forgotten when they met their friends, a group of kids who had a strong impact on their lives. If I could rewrite one event in the story, I would have the group reunite at the end. It would give the characters a stronger more permanent connection and the book an even happier ending.
- Imogene, 8th grade, Amigos

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
i loved reading this book becous it was intresting, exsiting, and containd a big plot tuist in the end. i liked reading this with my dad becous it containd difficult grammar so he helped me with that.

i suggest this book to middle schoolers becouse its to advanced for younger kids and some older kids might not like it.


if you like comic books and mystery you shuld totaly reade this.
- Sara, 7th grade, Amigos

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Chains is an amazing book that I read in class with my teacher and grade. I think that everyone enjoyed it, though I will admit that at times I didn't want to read it. Its about a girl named Isabel during the american revolution. One thing about Chains that I don't know if its good or bad is that at the end, it leaves you with a feeling of wanting to read the next two books, but, the reason that you will want to read more is that it ends on a cliffhanger! The author did an amazing job of painting the scenes into the readers mind, and giving Isabel's feelings to the reader. I could feel Isabel's hatred towards Madam Lockton. I could also feel her affection for Ruth, and her appreciation to Lady Seymour. I am left with a satisfied feeling at the end, and hope that anyone who reads this review also takes the time to read Chains.
- Rue, 6th grade, Amigos

What Else is New?

I am reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
I would want to be Kristi because though she is young, she is very stubborn and more creative then her sister, Annemarie.
- Amy, 6th grade, VLUS

Upside down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski

Upside-down magic is a book that I would characterize as "short and sweet". Its about a girl named Nory. She, like everyone else in the book can do magic. There are five magical categories that she can be; Fluxer, Flare, Flicker, Fuzzy, or Flyer. She is a Fluxer, which means that she can turn into other animals. This is true for all Fluxers, but with Nory, its different. Nory is what some people would call "Wonky", or "Upside-down". Nory gets put into a special class for other kids like her, who have unusual talents. The class takes Nory far from her home to live with a relative, and Nory wants more than anything not to be how she is, and needs to learn to control her powers if she wants to return home. Join her in her short tale about friendship and caring, and look into the next book. I still haven't read Upside-Down Magic #2: Stcks and stones, but trust me, I'm desperate to read it, and as soon as you read t his book, you will be too.
- Rue, 6th grade, Amigos

What Else is New?

Happy summer everyone! keep reading and keep posting!
- Rue, 6th grade, Amigos

Big Nate: Revenge of the Cream Puffs by Lincoln Peirce

Big Nate:Revenge of the Cream Puffs is a comic strip about the famous Nate Write. As always, Nate is hilarious along with his friends Teddy and Francis, and his teachers and peers. This book is not a graphic novel, but different comic strips. Big Nate can also come in books, which you might want to try out, but I prefer Big Nate "comix". You can definitely get them at your local library, and at the Cambridge Public. If you liked Diary Of a Wimpy Kid, read this. Get ready for Lots Of Laughs, and tell me what you thought.
- Rue, 6th grade, Amigos

The Forgetting Spell by Lauren Myracle

This book is called The Forgetting Spell and is about a girl named Darya. She is 13 years old, and gets to make three wishes. It is a journey of confusion and love as she explores her life. This is the second book in a series. The first is called Wishing Day, and its about her older sister Natasha. I didn't know about Wishing Day, and only read The Forgetting Spell, but I still completely understood it. I recommend this book to readers ages ten to 13. Have a nice summer, and I hope you enjoy the book.
- Rue, 6th grade, Amigos

Goddess Girls: Athena The Brain by Joan Holub

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
Goddess Girls: Athena The Brain is a great book for kids who think they don't fit in, because in this book Athena tried so hard to fit in with the gods and goddesses. Athena will teach readers how 1 single person make a difference and an adventure for themselves. So I recommend this great story.
- Kiersten, 6th grade, PAUS

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
This book is a great story for people who like a good funny realistic-fiction story. It is about a casino ship that is dumping loads of poo into the sea undetected by the police and coast guard, and a family that is trying and trying to stop them.
- 6th grader

What Else is New?

I've seen some of my friends blog posts and The Shadow Children books seem to be very popular in last years 224...
- Emilia, 6th grade, VLUS

Among the Imposters By Margaret Peterson Haddix

I honestly thought I would not like this book, but it is GREAT! This is the second time I've read it, and I loved all the twists and tricks of this story.
- Emilia, 6th grade, VLUS

The Gossip File By Anna Staniszewski

This is a great, funny book about a teen girl, Rachel, who loves to bake. Her mother and father are split up, but never really divorced, and Rachel goes to Florida to see her dad, only to discover that a new women has taken Rachel's spot in her dad's life. Rachel struggles through 2 weeks of false identity, lies, friends and harsh reality. This is a great book, and it may seem sad, but you will be reading this funny series (this is the 3rd book) non-stop!
- Emilia, 6th grade, VLUS

Sugar and Ice by Kate Messner

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
Warning, Spoiler Alert!: So Claire is offered a scholorship to the Silver Blades program (a figure skating program). She accepts. But it turns out that it is SUPER intense, and that the coach is REALLY strict. And the schedule is crazy, so she doesn't have any time for her best friend, Natalie. At first Natalie seems to be okay with it, but then she talks to Claire less and less. Finally it seems like Claire will have a night off that she can spend with Natalie, but then Coach Andrei extends the practice so Claire has to cancel. But she manages to go to Nat's house after practice. Nat is with her bees. Claire always stays away from her bees, but Natalie made it clear that the only way Claire was going to be able to hang out with her, would be to help her. But then they each say some hurtful things. Nat says that it's not fair that whenever they hang out, if they can, Claire doesn't even pay attention. It made me mad at Claire that she didn't pay attention to Natalie, and it made me feel grateful that me and my friends never have that kind of conflict, even if we have different kind of conflict.
- 6th grader

We Will Not Be Silent by Russell Freedmen

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
I would reccomend this to anyone who likes books on history and people fighting for what they believe, it is a very inspiring book.
- Sofia, 7th grade, VLUS

The Forbidden Stone by Tony Abbott

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 that likes Harry Potter because this book is fantasy just like Harry Potter. It is about a bunch of kids that go on an adventure to find vela. Vela is a small stone. This book is part of a series. I would give this book 5 stars beacause I loved it.
- Caroline, 6th grade, VLUS

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK. Rowling

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
If I had to become one of the characters from this book it would be Serverus Snape. This would be because of his bravery and guts. He risked his life over and over for Harry to be safe and he never stopped protecting Harry until the end. This kind of person is a huge role model for me as I look up to those who care and protect others.
- 7th grader

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

This book is a realistic fiction, which convinces the reader to keep turning the pages. The book has kept me up at night, just to keep reading. It explores the events and feelings in the life of anyone in middle school. It shows the betrayal of friends and making new friends. Emily's pictures get around the school, Tab is mad at her friends ,and Bridge is caught up in the middle of the drama. The protagonist, Bridge and her friends Tab and Emily fight through the pain and hurt to find themselves as that perfect trio in the end. Rebeca Stead perfectly describes the hardships and fun in middle school all in one book.
- 7th grader

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
I would recommend Mockingjay, the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy. The book has a plot which takes place in a futuristic world, which has a controlling government. The reason why I would recommend this book is because the events and plot are different from most books making it a new experience for those who read it. At first I did not want to read this book and thought I wasn't going to like it, but it turned out to be one of my favorite books.
- 7th grader

Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
Take a bow is from the perspective of four people who are friends and attend a school for preforming arts.I would not recommend this book because the story feels way to cliché and the ending is pretty obvious, after you read the first half of this book.
- Birikiti, 7th grade, VLUS

The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
The Caged grave is about a girl Verity who has been betrothed to a boy who she has never met named Nate over letter. As the time of the wedding draws near Verity must travel to her birthplace and Nate's hometown Catawissa where she soon finds out that her dead mother and aunt have not been buried in a cemetery but outside the cemetery in a cage. Angry, Verity sets out to solve the mystery of why her mother and aunt have been buried in cages.
A part of the book that made me feel strongly was when many people in Catawissa gave Verity a less than ready welcome and she was almost alone in Catawissa with the exception of Nate, who doesn't live up to her standards.
- 7th grader

Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

This book is about a boy with disabilities. I love books with people with disabilities because 1. They teach me a lot about the disabilities and 2. Specially with kids with autism, I love how authors express the way the kids think. Everything is literal, and there i always something special in the way the think. For example, in a book I read over the school year (I din't remember the name or author. I think it was something like Mockingbird) and she put things in capital letters that weren't really meant to be with capital letters, like "Heart", because she believed that things that were important should have capital letters.
With this book, "Anything but literal", I haven't quite understood his way of thinking that makes him special yet, since I have just started the book, but I know I will find something.
The main character, Jason Blake, feels like he can only be himself in the online world, on his favorite website, writing stories, even though he isn't very recognized for the amazing stories he writes because they are too... original. And people sometimes like stuff better when it is connected to something they have read: Harry Potter, Divergent, Percy Jackson, Hunger Games. Fan fiction.
He meets somebody online. Somebody who likes his stories, and has stated to confide stories with him. And that person is being nice to him. And that person is a... girl. A girl is being nice to him? To him, that is strange and unusual, since his autism leaves him as an outcast.
I strongly recommend this book for anyone who relates to any of what I have just said.
Actually, In strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read good books.
- Ana, 6th grade, Amigos

What Else is New?

I'm starting the Diary of Anne Frank, so I'm looking forward to doing a post on this. It is very dense with information, but it is an interesting tale.
- Ana, 6th grade, Amigos

The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

If you could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, what would it be?
If i could ask Douglas Adams one question it would be:
When did you come up with this story idea??
i picked this question because this book is so wacky and weird, the story behind the story must be very interesting.
:)
- Ixchel, 8th grade, Amigos

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

My favorite character is Hermione Granger. I like her because I think that I am like her. She never breaks a rule, unless she really has to. She's also a know-it-all, and I think that I'm a little bit of a know-it-all too. Also she speaks up for what she believes and so do I, even if she gets in trouble for it.
- 6th grader

What Else is New?

School is over!
 - James, 6th grade, VLUS

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

What character(s) in this book would you most and least like to be friends with, and why?
I would like to be friends with Luke because he seems very calm and nice. He seems like a person that doesn't get angry that often. I know that because his parents don't let him do a lot of things and he never gets angry at them. I also would want to be friends with him because I think it would be hard to be alone all the time, so I would make him less lonely. All in all, Luke seems like a calm and cool person, so I would like to be his friend. Among the Hidden is a really great book and I think people should read it. I didn't think I would like it because it's science fiction, which is not a style I generally like, but it actually was really interesting. I think it made you think a lot.
- James, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else is New?

LAST day of SCHOOL!!!!!
- Saifka, 6th grade, VLUS

Among The Imposters by Margaret Peterson Haddix

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
If I could become one of the character in the book I would be luke because he is nice and if he hit somebody there will be a anwser, not that i would wont to be a shadow children. I just wont to know how nit feels to be a shadow child.
- Saifka, 6th grade, VLUS

What Else Is New?

IT'S SUMMER TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emi, 6th grade, VLUS

Sting by Jude Watson

SPOILER ALERT AHEAD!!!!SKIP IF NESSESARY!!!!!!













One of the minor characters in this book was Dimmy, the "nice guy" who double crossed March and his gang. I would like to know more about his life before and after becoming a Top Cat. If there was a book about him, I would be a bout his life before and after Top Cats. Kind of like in Wonder, The Julian Chapter.
Please comment about this book (Sting) and tell me what you think! Thanks guys!!
- Emi, 6th grade, VLUS

Drama by Raina Telgemeir

In this book Raina talks about a girl named Callie. Callie is very interested in theater and while on set she meets twins who steal her heart. In this drama filled tale Callie experiences love pain and laughter while trying to choose//find her one true love.
- 7th grader

Dork Diaries by Rachel Russell

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
if i to be a charetor i would be nikki because she is nice cares about people and also gose on alot of journeys .this gose for all the books , also i like how she comes up with these planes to get back at makenzie the mean girl . and how she day dreams and is always getting in some kind of situation
- Nailah, 7th grade, PAUS

What Else Is New?

It's the last day of school! Woo hoo!

Wonder by RJ Palacio

What would you want to see happen to the characters after this book (or the last of the series) ends?
If this book continued on after the real ending, I would like to see...Auggie having a bunch more friends that were really nice to him. Also, Auggie would become friends with Julian because they could set aside their differences. Maybe Auggie could start something online about accepting everyone, no matter what, like a website or social media site. Maybe Auggie could make journal entries about his life. I hope that Julian would be nice to everyone then, too.
- Liddy, 6th grade, VLUS

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Chains is a thrilling book about an African-American girl in the times of the revolution. In the will of her now dead owner it was stated that she was to be set free, but instead she was swept from her home and worked hard by a terrible master. In Chains we see into the horrible life of a slave named Isabel.
- Sean, 6th grade, Amigos

The BFG by Roald Dahl

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 any one who likes fantasy that is really weird. This book is about a girl that captured by a giant and she thinks the giant is going to eat her but the giant is actually really nice. He is a big friendly giant. The other giants are mean though so she has to make sure that they don't eat her. All in all, I would give this book 3 stars.
- Caroline, 6th grade, VLUS

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds

If this book were set 100 years in the future or the past from when it takes place, what might be different about the plot, characters, etc.
If this book were set 100 years in the past, the plot might actually be fairly similar, except everything more extreme. The book is about police brutality and the black lives matter movement, and how teenagers in our own country deal with that. 100 years ago, in the U.S., we were a very segregated country, and as the book reflects, some of that mindset of 100 years ago still exists with us to this very day.

The plot would be different because the black and white students would not attend the same school, so some of the events that happened in the book would not occur. Also some of the characters might be less open-minded, and less accepting of integration, because of the mindset in place at the time.

All in all, this book was a very refreshing reread, and very inspiring.
- Jinho, 8th grade, RAUS

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

Every year the Wallaces go to their cabin in Awago Beach. Every year Rose Wallace and her friend windy hang out. But this year things are different here. Rose's parents are fighting and drama is scattered through the town. All this will only happen this one summer so read the book quick!
- Cat, 6th grade, CSUS

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
If I could be any character I would be Annemarie. Almost a teen Annemarie experienced fear, at an early age when in 1943 in Copenhagen her friend's life is in danger. She learns how to be brave when the Nazi soldiers put her family and her friend in danger. She learns to find out about things on her own, which can be very frightening. But most importantly she learns how to keep on living her life
- Luna, 7th grade, VLUS

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
If I were to be a harry potter character, I would be Hermione Granger. Hermoine us smart kind, and very brave as a girl. She goes through difficult events that people usually won't. She makes wise decision choices, which encourages younger kids to be like her.
If you haven't read the Harry Potter series yet, than you probably should. Because if you don't you would 100% regret it.
Sarah, 8th grade, RAUS

Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson

Would you recommend this book? If so, who would you recommend it to, and why? If not, why not?
Invisible Emmie is an awesome book, that taught me an important life lesson.
I would recommend this book to all the quiet girls who, either don't have any friends, or only have one or two. The ones that spend most of their "social" time (recess, lunch) reading or writing or drawing or something because there's like, nothing else to do... right? Nope.
I'm not giving away any spoilers, by the way.
I really like this book because it teaches us there is more to life when you have someone to spend time with, to talk to, who understands you, who likes you for who you are.
There is more to life when you're yourself, when you speak up and say what you believe, when you take a risk.
After the rain, there is always a rainbow.
Be-you-tiful, right?
- Ana, 6th grade, Amigos

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

This book is a good read for all science fiction lovers, with an advance in isolating genetic codes researchers are able to bring back dinosaurs. They are being created on a small island and if everything goes as planned the inventor John Hammond a old rich guy will make trillions on his amusement dinosaur park. Everything does not go well however the dinosaurs get loose and a Huge T-Rex and many other dino's start wreaking havoc.
Edwin, 7th grade, RAUS

Dark Life by Kat Falls

I would recommend this book to anybody who likes science fiction. It is a great story about a earth in the future when the oceans have risen and some people live in skyscrapers and some people live at the bottom of the sea. The main character Ty has to stop a gang of fierce outliers or else he might lose his underwater home and be forced to be crammed into a tiny apartment with most of the worlds population as his neighbors.
- Edwin, 7th grade, RAUS

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

In this autobiography, Raina falls and injures her two front teeth severely. After this a series of events happen including visits to the dentist and possible HEADGEAR! All raina wants is to be a normal teen. The non nerdy kind. In this award winning book Raina faces challenges of a regular tween and grows up mentally and physically.
- 7th grader

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

If you could be or had to become one character in the book, who would you choose to be and why?
If I was a character in the book, I would be Hannah. Hannah is a girl that lives next door to the main owner of the book Ethan. I would like to be her because she is nice and funny.
- Madison, 7th grade, VLUS

Warriors Saga by Erin Hunter

This is an amazing series and most cat lovers will love it. The first series begins with Into the Wild and is about a pet cat who joins a clan called ThunderClan. The first series stars a cat named Firepaw and the main antagonist is a cat called Tigerclaw. The series leads into a whole bunch of other stories and is excellently plotted. If you love cats, you will love this series.
- Lucy, 7th grade, CSUS

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My friend (who we will call Anna for privacy reasons) recommended I read The Hunger Games. I said, "Anna that book sounds boring all it is is hunt people and find food" But she told me "There's more story then that so try it!" So I went to the library and got the book and Anna was right it is more the hunt and find food. The Hunger Games is a story of kids being forced to fight for their lives with a one in 24 chance of going back home alive. Join Katniss on her journey through The Hunger Games and fight to go back home. This book is intense and sad. Read at your own risk

- Cat, 6th grade, CSUS

Camp Half Blood Confidential by Rick Riordan

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Greek myths or Rick Riordan's books. This book teaches you everything you need to know about Camp Half-blood.
- Sofia, 6th grade, VLUS

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

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 want to know more about Angela's character in New Moon. This would be because she is very mysterious and you don't get to know her that well. She's that person that you can't really "read" that well. I would want to know more about who she is, her parents, and basically how she feels about the romance between main characters Bella and Edward.
- 7th grader

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Describe a part of the book that made you feel something strongly (i.e. something that made you cry, laugh, get really angry, etc.).
In the last part of the book when you find out the truth about Maddy I got really surprised and sad because I was imaganing living a life that was a lie. I was really sad also for her mom who basically lost everything except her.
- 7th grader

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy is a half god and his dad is the god of the seas .Percy is being watch and there's monster after him he moves schools alot and also he move to this school that made for kids that are half god. He meets two kids and they go on a quest.

- Nailah, 7th grade, PAUS

Jelly Belly by Robert Kimmel Smith

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

I would recommend this book because at first I did not want to read it because the cover and I. Ow relizes that I like it and it is really funny and interesting and I would recommend it if you like to see people learn and have a good time also if you like funny things .so this book is about a boy named ned and he is on a strict diet and can't eat no junk and he got sent to a camp to loose weight and him and his friends find ways to get what they want.

- Nailah, 7th grade, PAUS

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

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

I think I would most want to be friends with Jacob Black because he's very independent and likes nature and I do as well. I would not want to be friends with Bella however because she is very anti-feminist. She depends on everyone to do everything for her. She is also very hard to connect with as she doesn't show her feelings that much.

- Rosa, 7th grade, PAUS

Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older

I would recommend this book because the characters and the plot of the book is great. There is mystery and suspense in this book and it really grabs the attention of the reader. I would say teens would like this book as it is action packed and is a bit mature for younger people.

- Rosa, 7th grade, PAUS

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

this book would have to be my favorite because it about this teenage girl and i feel like i can understand what she is going through and how she feels. so basically this book is about a girl named maddy or madiline witch ever you prefer and she is allergic to the world well her immune system is not working and its rare . Her mom and her nurse carla are the only people allowed in her house and her house is air ventilated and air locked she never been outside. and one day a boy named olly moves in next door and hew insedly falls in love and dose somethings but you will have to read it to find out .

- Nailah, 7th grade, PAUS

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Locomotion is a poetry book about 11 year old Lonnie Collins Motion aka Locomotion. Lonnie's life was changed when he was only 7. Now Lonnie's feelings are all jumbled up inside and on paper through the form of poetry. Join Lonnie as he learns. This book is an amazing story of a boy and his feelings where he feels he lost everything. But maybe poetry can open his eyes.

- Cat, 6th grade, CSUS