Us, Reading Ends This Friday!

Just a friendly reminder from your local librarians that the us, reading program is ending THIS Friday, August 24th. Don't forget to submit your reviews before Saturday morning! We love reading all of your awesome reviews, and we hope you've found some great books to add to your to-read lists this summer.

Our celebratory JP Licks ice cream party will be next Thursday, August 30th, from 3:00-4:00 in the Community Room at the Main Library. We'll announce our six grand prize winners and the reading challenge winner and raffle off a few surprise gift cards. And we'll eat lots and lots of delicious ice cream. Hope to see you there!

- Emily, librarian at the Main Library

I Survived: The American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis

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

I would not like to be friends with the main character, Nathaniel’s uncle, Uriah Storch. I mean, how could you be so mean to your own nephew. So mean that your nephew left you, even though it was the only place he once called home. I felt bad for Nathaniel because he almost got killed on a bloody battlefield by a british soldier during the American Revolution. So I really would not be friends with “uncle” Uriah.

--8th grade

Spacemice: The Invisible Planet by Elisabetta Dami

A weird and peculiar planet keeps appearing, then disappears continuously on the MouseStar 1’s radar. Geronimo and his crew goes to the planet to investigate, and discovers that the aliens living there have been hiding a secret. Read this book, to find out what it is that these aliens have been hiding.

--8th grade

Lost in Time by Elisabetta Dami

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

I just started reading Geronimo’s journey through time serial, and I love it. I read the fourth book, -Lost in Time- and I would definitely recommend the book. In this book, *SPOILER ALERT* Geronimo went back in time to Egypt during Cleopatra’s time, then to Mongolia during Genghis Khan’s time, and finally to England during Queen Elizabeth I’s time to figure out the significance of Cleopatra’s mirror, since it was owned by the 3 of them at some point in history. Definitely worth reading.

--8th grade

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

Be Prepared is a graphic novel about the author's experience at a Russian sleepaway camp. At first, Vera is super excited to go, and she can't wait to make a bunch of new friends and do all the classic camp activities like making s'mores and singing fun songs by the campfire, but the camp turns out nothing like she expected. Her tent mates are rude to her, she struggles to make any friends, and there is absolutely NO candy allowed. Vera's stuck at camp for two weeks--how will she survive?

--8th grade

World Without Fish by Mark Kurlansky

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

Yes, I would recommend this book. I loved this book a lot. It's very informational and interesting. It explains true facts in fun ways for kids about what would happen if fish died out of this world. If you read this book, you will figure out what will happen without fish. This world would be terrible. So lets try to limit the amount of fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everybody should read this book!!!!!!!!!!!!



--6th grade

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

This book was an okay book. It's about a girl who doesn't have many friends. She goes to a camp and some crazy things happen!

--6th grade

The Summer Experiment by Cathie Pelletier

This book was a great book. It's about a girl named Roberta, her friend Marilee, and UFO's. This book takes them on an adventure to space where they meet aliens! You should read this book.

--6th grade

A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson

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

"A Wreath for Emmett Till" written by Marilyn Nelson is a non-fiction historical book that is described in poetry, that is a quick read. It takes you through the unfortunate event that Emmett and many other black people have faded through the years of slavery and racism. This young fourteen year old African American boy was unjustly lynched and murdered for the accusations of harassing a white women by whistling and hooting at her.* As these poems transcend you through Emmett Till's horrific experience,*. This particular story has inspired and brought justice and publicity to an unforgivable action. I would definitely recommend this book to people who would like to learn about history and mystery but as well as black rights.

- 8th grade

One Mixed-up Night by Catherine Newman

this book is about 2 friends, Walter and Frankie, (Frankie narrates) who run away to IKEA, inspired by the book From The Mixed-Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler where 2 kids run away to the Metropolitan museum of art in NYC. at IKEA, Walter and Frankie get in lots of trouble. ex. almost burn down the building, drive a forklift, flood the place while trying to empty a bathtub, etc.

- Lila, 7th grade, Amigos School

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

i have read this book before but i forgot most of it so i read it again. the 3rd one in the Hunger Games series, its really good, kind of sad, but mostly just awesome. they are trying to overthrow the Capitol. since its the hunger games series, lots of people die :( but altogether its really good.

- Lila, 7th grade, Amigos School

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

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 part of this book where she is talking about the cake she wanted to eat when she was 4 was really funny because she ended up getting sent outside by her mom and climbing through a window to eat the cake. it is extra funny because the book is part comics so you see the cake and everything too

- Lila, 7th grade, Amigos School

Sticks and Stones by Abby Cooper

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

What made you find out about this idea? This is a different book from all the others. I just think that words on somebody is a very interesting idea.

- 6th grade

All Rise For The Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor

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

Yes, I would recommend this book. This book is an amazing book. It's about a boy named Perry who goes on a mission to figure out the real story of why his mom is in jail. This was an awesome adventure that Perry goes on and you should read it to find out what happens.

- 6th grade

Lumberjanes: A series by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, and Faith Erin Hicks

In Lumberjanes: A series by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, and Faith Erin Hicks, (Wow! That's a lot of authors/illustrators!) One of my favorite parts was in one of the books when Mal and Molly were picnicking, and so Jo, April, and Ripley are left to try to earn some of the simplest badges, which proves to be difficult for the monster - chasers of the Roanoke cabin. None of the girls got any badges, except Ripley, who earns many, including cake decorating and ballroom dancing, both with Bubbles the Raccoon. I really suggest this series.

- Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

What Else Is New?

If this is my last post, happy almost school to everyone and I'll see you at the ice cream party!

- Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

What Else Is New?

I'm craming in all the reviews I can to finish off the summer.

- Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Princeless Vol. 1 and 2 by Jeremy Whitley

Princess is one of favorite comic book series EVER!!!!!!!!! Princess Adrienne is not your typical princess. Before you ask, no, she did not want to be locked up in a tower, but she was elbow-deep in that steak before she realized that it had sleeping potion in it, and the next thing she knew, there she was in that tower, supposed to be waiting for a prince to rescue her. Adrienne has other plans. When she finds a hidden sword under her bed, she teams up with Sparky, the dragon guarding her tower, Bedelia, a blacksmith, and they embark on a quest to save Adrienne's sisters. If you like Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, you will love this series.

- Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

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

In When You Reach Me, there is a really big realization at the end of the book. I will try not to spoil it, but really; read the book! This probably won't make much sense if you haven't read this book, (I mean, why haven't you already;P ) If I could ask the author, Rebecca Stead, any question, I have two. The first one would be: Why did the "Laughing Man" lie under a mailbox? was that whole thing just for the last note? And my second question would be: Is there a sequel? Please tell me there is a sequel. When You Reach Me is the kind of book that I just don't ever want to put down. (Not literally, that would be REALLY awkward) And that is why I think that you should read When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

- Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

What Else Is New?

I'm in Paris! Bonjour!

- Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Violet In Bloom: A Flower Power Book - Lauren Myracle

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

I think that in this book, the character I would most like to be friends with would be Yasaman. Yasaman is a muslim girl who can do anything that she wants on a computer. Later in the book, she literally codes and creates an entire website that is a lot like texting, but with tons of awesome feature from absolutely nothing except her brain. It's not that I don't like the other three girls, (or any of the minor characters) it's just that, well, Yasaman seems more my type of friend, though I'm sure I 'd get along fine with Camilla, Katie-Rose, and Violet. Which one is your "type"? find out by reading Violet In Bloom: A Flower Power Book - Lauren Miracle.

- Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

March: Book One by John Lewis

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 always felt angry during the parts in the book where the black people would be mistreated by others for their skin color. It was extremely upsetting to even read about such events, and the fact that they actually happened is unbelievable. No one should ever be judged for who they are!

- 8th grade

The Death Cure by James Dashner

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

**SPOILER ALERT**

I would most want to be friends with Newt, because he's always been supportive and a good friend of Thomas since the very beginning. I would least like to be friends with Teresa, especially in the beginning, because she completely "betrayed" Thomas (even though she claims it was part of WICKED's plan and she didn't actually mean it) and it totally crushed him. I would feel horrible, too, if one of my closest friends betrayed me like that. I could relate to how confused, angry, and hurt Thomas felt when being mistreated by Teresa, and to the once-strong trust that had been broken.

- 8th grade

Goodbye Days By Jeff Zentner

This was a really depressing (but good and sometimes funny!) book about a boy- Carver-who lost his three best friends in a car crash triggered by a text message. And everyone thinks Carver is to blame. 
So does he. He sent the text message that probably triggered the event that killed them. So then a bunch of people want to ruin his life, some don't care, and then some just shake their heads. Starting school with no friends and a court case that could put him behind bars, Carver is lost, always remembering, trying to forget, and regretting what has been done.

- Emilia, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here By Anna Breslaw

Scarlett Epstein is devastated when her favorite show (and source of fanfic inspiration), has ended. Without the fan fiction, she is alone and lost. She hates school, old friends, and a lot more. Fanfic was the only thing keeping her and her online buddies together, as well as her sanity. So when friends and foes from real life create some more misery, she devotes herself to writing again. Except the people bothering her in real life turn into people in her writing... which she posts online... for the world to see.

- Emilia, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

American Street By Ibi Zoboi

Fabiola and her mom travel from Haiti to the USA, but midway to their destination of Detroit, her mom gets detained. Fabiola makes the rest of her journey alone, and meets her cousins and aunt. Starting school, she feels 100% unsure of what will happen to her mom. But school made one thing clear- her three cousins are The schools's Three Bees, the Beauty, the Brains, and the Brawl. No one messes with them. And everyone expects Fabiola (now called "Fabulous"), to be the Fourth Bee. Eventually Fabiola gets a chance to help her mom, yet the price is uncertain. 

I would highly recommend this book!

- Emilia, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Holding Up the Universe By Jennifer Niven

This book pulled me in from the start and kept me flipping the pages. The thing I liked most about Holding Up The Universe is how the characters compliment each other so much. Libby can't control that people stare at her, and Jack chooses to have people stare at him even when he can't read their face. That way that they're kinda opposites but also need each other is a part of the book I love.

- Emilia, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Land Of Stories Book 6: Worlds Collide

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

SO. This was the BBIIGG finale book in the "Land Of Stories Series" series. IT was AWESOME! I felt like I was actually in the NY City and seeing the battles in the skies and ground!

I would only change the ending part, ONLY because I thought it ended out sad but good. I hope Mr. Colfer makes another series with Charlie and all the other grandkids of the other characters.

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

This is a book that is based on the pieces of a little black girl growing up, whos name is Jacqueline Woodson. Growing up as a person, in general, she had to deal with siblings, parents, equity, whoopens, and just life moving at its regular pace.

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

Ravenous by MarcyKate Connolly

This is the AMAZING sequel to the even FANTASTICER first book, "Monstrous". {READ both of them!}

In this book, there is still magic and adventure and secrets around every corner. Including who Greta & Hans really are.

READ THE BOOK!

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

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

Nick and Allie's car's crashed on a special day to both of them. How upsetting. But, they both didn't get to where they were going, instead they ended up in a place that was neither heaven nor hell. A place called Everlost.

Now this is a book on their adventure, presuming its, in their half-after life.

I wouldn't change this book 1 bit. I LLOOVVEE it and so should you if you get the chance.

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles edited by Jessica Burkhart

This book is 31 stories of struggles with Mental Illness. As someone without mental illness, it was interesting to see into the mind of someone who does. One of the authors, Megan Kelly Hall resides in Massachusetts. She's the author of the Sisters of Misery series and Dear Bully. Some of the topics can seem a little dark in one story or light hearted. Some authors make their mental illness into a character while others talk about it as a condition. I found this book really insightful and I hope you will too.

- Mariela, 8th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

The Stars Beneth Our Feet by David Barclay Moor

Nobody close to me has ever died before. But to everyone out there who has, had a special person who has passed on, I cant imagine the feeling. Neither can I imagine what "Lolly" must feel like, losing his only {sibling &} brother to a ruthless gang with a revolver. What it feels like to have your family be a jumbled up mess, and only be able to turn to building Lego's.

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

What Else Is New?

MMMOOORRREEE books

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Slippery Slope By Lemony Snicket

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

This is the tenth tragic book in the Baudelaire Orphan Series. Count Olaf is still tirelessly chasing after Violet, Clause & Sunny and their fortune.

If I could give ANY of those four main characters advice I would tell Count Olaf to 
"Give Up, Sucker! Your 'NEVA 'gonna get that fortune!"

And to the Baudelaire's, I'd say
"DONT give UP! You will SUCSSED in the end!"

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

What Else Is New?

MORE BOOKS!

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

More Than This by Patrick Ness

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

Call me crazy, but I always wonder what it FEELS like to die or what do you SEE after you actually die. Probably because I read too many dead people adventures.

In this book, Seth died by the hand of water, and wakes up striped naked inside a coffin in his old house. Throughout this book, Seth has to run, hide and venture {literally} into deaths territory.

The one question I would ask Mr. Patrick is why right THIS book? Don't get me wrong, I love it, but why right a adventure that "happened" after death? Had he flat lined before and was just interested in writing about death? Who knows?

- Ella, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

The ONE AND ONLY Ivan by Katherine Applegate

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

I would recommend art books to the main character because multiple times in the book he referred to how much he loved art since he was a child. I also wanted to be the first person to give him his first book and to know that he was reading his first sentence. I'd hope that one day he could read the whole book and be able to do many projects with the books.

--Dashiell, 6th grade

What Else is New?

I will be going to a new school. I used to go to KLO but know I am going to MLK because of location.

Space Boy By Stephen McCranie`s

To Amy every one has a flavor. her mom is the flavor of mint - sharp and bright. her dads flavor in like hot chocolate - sweet and full of gentle warmth.

Amy lives in a mining colony out in deep space, But when her dad loses his job they were forced to move to earth. Amy says goodbye to her best friend Jemmah and climbs into a crytube where she will spend the next 30 years frozen in state of suspended animation, hurtling in a rocket towards her new home. Her life will never be the same, but all she can think about is how when she gets to earth Jemmah will have grown up without her.

When Amy arrives on earth, she feels like an alien in a strange land. the sky is beautiful but gravity is heavy and the people are weird. Strangers still is a boy she meets at her new school- a boy who has no flavor.

space boy is a sci-fi drama about a high school girl who belongs in a different time, a boy possessed by emptiness as deep as space, an alien artifact, a mysterious murder and a love that crosses light years.

--Rafa, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

I love the book Awkward because it is a Graphic Novel and it is MY GO TO BOOK like when I have to get something in my room I stop at my shelf to read it. I take it on road trips and, even though we don't have the sequel " Brave" It just adds on to my love of the books. My favorite quote was when the main character said 'I feel like I have lived a thousand lifetimes, and aged a thousand years... wait that math doesn't add up' !

--6th grade

The babysitter's club Claudia and mean janine by ANN M.MArtin

This book was about , when claudia and janine's granma fell sick. It was a sad time for the family, but claudia and janine decided to put there differences behind and help their grandma.

--Tabitha, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

What Else is New?

I have to read 36 more books in 2 days some say it's impossible but I'm about to do the inpossible.

--Tabitha, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

The baby sitter's club the truth about stacey by ANN M.Martin

This book is about when stacey reveals that she has diabetes. All the girls stood by her side and never gave up.

--Tabitha, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

The babysitter's club Kristy's great idea by ANN M.Martin

This book is about a group of girls who decide to start a babysitter's club. They go through many challenges but in the end all of it falls together.

--Tabitha, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

Children of blood and bone by Tomi Adeyemi

this book is about magic and its super awesome but kind of sad, in that lots of people die, but it is very exciting, there are battles and a kind of romance and its really cool. WARNING: the end is a cliffhangar. the sequel comes out next year.

- Lila, 7th grade, Amigos School

The Unwanteds book 6: Island of Graves, by Lisa McMann

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

I think that everyone in 3rd grade and above should read this book, but before you read it, read the other 5 books! (In the correct order!) It is a very good book, and I really liked reading it, but I can't tell you anything about it because then it would give away, like, what happens in the entire series.

- Monique, 6th grade, Rindge Ave Upper School

What Else Is New?

Just chilling for the last days of summer B)

- 8th grade

Saints 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.)

I was kind of angry in the beginning when nobody really liked Four-Girl and didn't accept her for who she was. Four-Girl didn't do anything wrong, and she didn't deserve the unfair treatment she received from her family.

- 8th grade

Geronimo Stilton: Hug a Tree, Geronimo 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 was kind of angry at this lady named Madam No who wanted to buy this giant public tree in a public park that has been around for years, just because she wanted to build a mall at the spot to sell her products. When people are rich and have power, they could be sooooo crazy. We can see that a lot in our world today.

- 8th grade

Geronimo Stilton: Cyber-Thief Showdown by Elisabetta Dami

Geronimo’s money in his bank account mysteriously went missing and was said to be stolen by some anonymous smart “hacker” named Nick Nobody. Geronimo along with a couple of his friends and family, tracked this Nick Nobody through some virtual reality video game. They found this “hacker” and he turns out to be...

- 8th grade

Robots Rule: The Junkyard Bot by C.J. Richards

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 one of the characters in this book, I would choose to be Professor Droid, because he is really amazing at robotics and computer skills. I also have always been interested in those things for some reason, so I would really love to be him.

- 8th grade

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani

I liked this book because it talked about her culture, and how she was so deamanding and always wanted a direct answer. The book had differnet scene's going on at a time.

- Tabitha, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics, by Chris Grabenstein

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

This is the sequel to Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library, so if you want to read this book, read that first. In this book, a lot of book nerds from all over the US are upset that Kyle Keeley and his friends won Mr. Lemoncellos game in the first book, and so thet want a remach. This is a good book, I think everyone in 4th grade and over should read it.

--Monique, 6th grade, Rindge Ave Upper School

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library, by Chris Grabenstein

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

This book is about a 12-year-old named Kyle Keeley. Kyle gets grounded for breaking a window in order to win a board game. He finds out that there is an essay contest at his school, and only twelve people can win. The prize for winning is that you get to be the first person to see the new public library, and you get to spend the night there. Kyle thinks that if he wins, he could get out of being grounded. This is a good book, I recommend it it to grades 3 and above.

--Monique, 6th grade, Rindge Ave Upper School

Monstrous, by MarcyKate Connolly

This is a really good book, I think that if you are in 4th grade or older you should read it! It is about a girl named Kymera who is also part cat, part bird, and part snake. She lives with her father in a forest near the city of Bryre, and every night she sneaks into the city and rescues a girl from the evil wizard in the city. It is a very good book, but it is also kind of long, so make sure you have a lot of free time beore you start reading it.

--Monique, 6th grade, Rindge Ave Upper School

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Just a FYI, this post is a little late. I just gotta say... This is a good book if I've ever read on read one! It is definitely the type of book I like. The narrator of this book about Liesel Meminger, a 9 year old girl, is death. The hole book is just basically death telling a story that is Liesel's life. Weirdly enough, there is no suspense, curiosity builds, but that's your imagination, death decides he doesn't like suspense so there will be none. It is a longer book, but very enjoyable. (550 pages to be exact) Oh! I forgot an important part, (it's actually very important, I don't know how I could forget!) Liesel's brother died on a train,and her mother put her up for adoption. She, if I'm correct, is Christian, or something close to it, and she grows up in Nazi Germany. I highly recommend this book!

--Samantha, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

What Else is New?

ITS ALMOST BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!

--Samantha, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

What Else is New?

Finally understood Positively Izzy by Terri Linbenson. --Amy, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

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

When Alley gave her teacher a sympathy card without even knowing it, it made me feel really feel bad for her because she doesn’t want anyone to know her “secret”, but not everything stays secret for forever... (BTW, I’m not gonna spoil the book )

--Amy, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

What Else is New?

Has anyone seen Mamma Mia 2, Crazy Rich Asians, or The Hate U Give???

Also summer is almost over :(

--8th grade

The Death Cure by James Dashner

The Death Cure is the third and final book of the Maze Runner Trilogy. It follows the story of sixteen-year-old Thomas, who struggles to escape from a group called WICKED in a dystopian society.

This book and the whole Maze Runner trilogy is absolutely AMAZING. I cannot express in words how much I enjoyed this series. Unlike some other dystopian novels, The Maze Runner books were intriguing and easy to follow, and I was able to relate to the characters (which is not the case in most other dystopian YA novels.) I found it impossible to get bored with the books, because every time it seemed like things were slowing down and getting less exciting, the story would take a sharp, unexpected turn that would have me itching to read more. Some parts of the Maze Runner novels had me laughing hysterically, others made me sob. Sometimes, I was so scared for what would happen next that I would have to put the book down and take a few deep breaths before resuming. James Dashner has the extraordinary ability to pack a single book with so much action, and yet so much emotion at the same time. Many books I had previously read, especially dystopian books, didn't elaborate much on the characters and I found it difficult to know what the characters were thinking and feeling. That NEVER happened while I was reading the Maze Runner series. There is truly something special and unique about the series that I will never forget. The Maze Runner (the first book) actually might be one of the best books I have ever read. I would give this series 6/5 stars (:P), and for anyone who hasn't read it yet, please please please give it a try. You won't regret it, trust me!!!!!!
--8th grade

Barack by Jonah Winter

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

Yes, I would recommend this book. This book tells you information in a fun way, and plus, this is basically a picture book so it has pictures to go along with the information. I learned a lot through this book and would recommend it to anybody!

--6th grade

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

This book is about someone named Montag. Montag is a fireman so, he burns down books and the houses they are in according to firemen in this book. But, he soon realizes what he is doing is not right after meeting and talking to a few people. He decides to stop burning books and wants this to come to a stop. Some big events happen while he is trying to stop this nonsense. You should read this book to find out.

--6th grade

What Else is New?

I'm going to Paris in a few hours!!!!!

--Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

The Baby-Sitter's Club #2, Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls by Ann M. Martin

In The Baby-Sitter's Club #2, Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls by Ann M. Martin, The Baby-sitter's club is doing just great. That is, until they hear about the "Phantom Caller", a jewlery thief so quiet that he can sneak into people's homes and steal their jewlery while they are still home! As his attacks get closer and closer to Stonebrook, The Baby-sitters start to panic, and when they start to get the mysterious silent calls themselves, the club realizes that they must take hold of the situation and be ready in case the houses that they are baby-sitting are next on the Phantom Caller's list. Follow their baby-sitting adventures again in The Baby-Sitter's Club #2, Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls by Ann M. Martin!

--Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Quiz: Characters who write diaries!

Can you match these characters to their books?

1) Derek Fallon

2) Genevieve "Ginny" Davis

3) Greg Heffley

4) Jamie Kelly

5) Nikki Maxwell

6) Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison

7) Rafe Khatchadorian


A: Dear Dumb Diary, by Jim Benton

B: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney

C: Dork Diaries, by Rachel Renee Russell

D: From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess, by Meg Cabot

E: Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf, by Jennifer L. Holm

F: Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life!, by James Patterson

G: My Life as a Book, by Janet and Jake Tashjian



--Librarian Christy

What Else Is New

I am at sailing and whoops gotta go to my class.

- Alaan, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

I liked the Hunger Games because Suzanne Collins because you could NEVER put it down. It was like fully action packed never ending book of future reality. Ok maybe not reality but it was really cool and I recommend this book for 9+ but anyone could read it.

- Alaan, 6th grade, Putnam Ave Upper School

Echo's Sister by Paul Mosier

El's sister, Echo, has a rare form of cancer, only 5 out of million kids has it. The doctors noticed it when it was the first day of school, so before El knew what was happened to Echo, she was like, OK, let’s do this! But when her dad told her her days were dark and sad. I’m not going to spoil this book for anyone, but this is a really good book and I recommend it.

- Amy, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Imposter Queen by Sarah Fine

This book takes place in the Kupari Peninsula. The main character is 16 year old, Elli. Elli is the Saadella, the successor to the Valtia (the queen of Kupari who has a perfect balance of ice and fire magic). When the current Valtia dies, the magic is supposed to go to Elli so she can step up and rule. But only one problem, the magic doesn't go to Elli because she's not the prophesized one. When the people of Kupari demand to see an example of the queen's power that Elli can't deliver. She is put through a series of trials by the Elders of the palace. She tries to run away with her handmaiden from the Elders who are evil, she goes to the outlands. In the outlands, she meets friends, a love interest and finds secrets about herself. Read the book to find out more.

- Mariela, 8th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Beast: A tale of Love and Revenge by Lisa Jensen

This book is like a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. This book is a bit shorter, it's only around 300 pages. But you will burn through them really quickly. There are a lot of plot twists in this book. The perspective of this book is one of the maids that serve in Château Beaumont. After being mistreated (severely) by the master of the house: Jean-Loup, Lucie vows to see him suffer. With the help of a mysterious magic, the Chevalier is transformed from handsome to beastly (literally). But soon after, Lucie realizes that Beast is nothing like Jean-Loup. He's kinder and has remorse for the wrong done to Lucie. And Lucie basks in this, until a beauty with the power to break the wonderful spell that brought this creature to life. This book is even better then the Disney version, the plot twists are more like sharp turns that you have to keep reading, rather then slow circles. Make sure to read this one. But also be careful because it includes brief sexual action in the beginning. But this is one happily ever after that you won't roll your eyes at.

- Mariela, 8th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Moon Chosen by P.C Cast

This book is about Mari, the daughter of the Moon Woman (the healer of the Earth Walker tribe). Mari has had to hide her whole life and camouflage herself from fellow Earth Walkers because she isn't a full Earth Walker. The rule of the tribe is to mate within tribes. But Mari is the product of an Earth Walker-Companions (a rival clan). To avoid being banished by the tribe, Mari has to dye her naturally fair hair, put paste on her face to hide how light her skin is and cover her arms at all times to hide the golden designs under her skin. Mari is next up to become Moon Woman until a canine changes her whole life. Nik, one of the other perspectives on the book has been waiting his whole life to be chosen by a canine. Finally at the ripe age of 24, a dog gives him a second glance and starts to head towards him. When suddenly the gaze is broken and he heads into the woods. Nik goes hunting down this dog because he is eager to finally be chosen. Long story short, the dog finds Mari. But to add in the running out of time element in the book, the Companions contract a deadly disease whenever their skin is broken. Even a tiny papercut is lethal. But Mari finds the cure in her mother's journal and Nik needs it to cure the tribe. So it's only a matter r of time before the tribe dies. Read the book to find out more.

- Mariela, 8th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Savvy by Ingrid Law

This book is very well written.
In the Beaumont Family, when a child turns 13 he or she gets a special power called a Saavy.
Grandpa's Saavy is that he can move the earth. Mother can do everything the right way - but also mess up the right way. Her brother Rocket has electricity at his fingertips, and Fish can create any kind of storm.
It is Mibs' 13th birthday. But right before, her Poppa gets in an accident and he is in a coma. Mibs thinks that she can wake him up with her Saavy because she claims that she woke a dead turtle up. She stows away on a bus with some siblings and friends in tow, but at the intersection where right goes to Poppa and left goes to another state, the bus goes left.
And Mibs has to deal with the consequences.

- Bruce, 8th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Geronimo Stilton: The Chocolate Chase by Elisabetta Dami

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

If I could ask the author/illustrator of this book one question, I would ask how she manages her time writing and drawing her hundreds of books so quickly.

- 8th grade

Funny Kid for President by Matt Stanton

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

I would not like to be friends with the bad, horrible, lying, unfair, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil... *INHALE* evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil... *INHALE* evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, evil, teacher, Mr. Armstrong

That’s all I have to say about him.

- 8th grade

I Survived: The Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis

When Lucas’ parents decided that football was a really dangerous sport, Lucas really couldn’t accept that. He has really been into football since he was in third grade. Lucas left on the bus to New York, instead of going to school. But then things didn’t go really well when he saw a plane flying really low, and a disaster happened.

- 8th grade

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

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 Words in deep blue book by Cath Crowley is about a family who works in a book store called Howling books. The main characters' names are Rachel, Henry, Martin and George. So about the book, Rachel moves away with her mom and little brother Cal. They move out of the city to a house closer to the ocean. Rachel was best friends with Henry before she moved and liked him. The night before she moved she left a note in the letter library that is in the shop telling him that she liked him. Henry keeps contact with Rachel but she never responds. Several summers later Rachel visits the town for a distraction after her brother had drowned months before. She gets a job to work side by side with the boy she recently loved. The shop gets another new employee whose name is Martin, which George, Henry's sister isn't too thrilled about. The story continues in a dramatic way but you will have to read the book to find out all the details. 
There are several parts of the book where there are deep and bonding moments. These moments helped the characters interact with each other in a better and more kind way. There are two moments I will be sharing and describing about. Family dinners at the house of dumplings and an incident by the dock.
First the Jones family dinners are at the dumpling house every Friday night in their town. Henry's family talks about books they have recently read. This is like a bonding time for the family because typically they are all working and don't have time to have deep conversations, but sitting here each Friday gives them each that chance.
The second bonding experience is with the four friends Rachel, George, Henry and Martin. A bully tied Henry and Martin to polls by the docks. It all worked out though because Henry had time to send Rachel their destination. Rachel and George came to the rescue. After this they drove back to the book shop. This is a bonding moment because it showed that they really cared about Henry and Martin. That they still have the chance to be good friends to start over. This incident made them closer together more friendly to each other. After this they talked more and cared more for each other. These bonding times made family and friends closer together. They started to understand each other more and became better friends as a whole. 
If you like romance, drama and action packed adventure then this book is most definitely for you!!

- Nova, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Perct Jackson is back again!
As a son of the sea god, he gets a lot of attention. He thought that after vanquishing the titan Kronos, things would be better.
Instead they got worse.
Percy is forced to band together with other demigods of unusual powers to stop the Earth Deity from awakening and destroying all of her grandchildren.
It's a good read.

- Bruce, 8th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Star Wars The Original Marvel Years by Archie Goodwin

This is essentially just Star Wars except it's a big giant book of comics.
As the rebels hopelessly fight against the empire, Luke and Han join out of nowhere and change the tide of the war.
Luke becomes a Jedi Night, and Han becomes Leia's boyfriend.

- Bruce, 8th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School