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

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

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

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

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

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

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