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

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

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 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

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

I Survived: The Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis

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 Marcus’ father, Tata. Because it seems like he plays a pretty decent role of shaping Marcus, the main character’s personality. I would like to know more about how he manages to take care of his son alone after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. After escaping from their master, since they were slaves.

--8th grade

I Survived: The Japanese Tsunami, 2011 by Lauren Tarshis

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

I would recommend this historical fiction book to people who are fine with depressing stories. Because Ben just lost his father in a car accident. Then, after a couple of months, his house got wiped out along with the city he lived in because of a tsunami. Then he lost his mom, and brother after the tsunami. But, he did find them soon.

--8th grade

The Children’s Blizzard, 1888 by Lauren Tarshis

John Hale is a tough kid. He has survived a lot of disasters. But none of them cam anywhere close to being as brutal or cruel to the Children’s Blizzard. He was literally buried under the snow. He felt like his warmth and life were being ripped out of his body. Will he survive?

-8th Grade

The Hindenburg Disaster, 1937 by Lauren Tarshis

Hugo’s dream came true when he and his family were on the Hindenburg riding across the Atlantic. Being able to go on a 3-day ride in the zeppelin that was as big as the Titanic was just truly amazing. But when landing, the Hindenburg just suddenly burst into flames and crashed to the ground

-8th Grade

The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 by Lauren Tarshis

The book is about a kid named Thomas and his younger sister, Birdie who were looking for freedom. They have been raised as slaves since they were young. They followed the North Star and soon crossed paths with a Union soldier. They were treated by the soldier as if they were his children. But when they were continuing their journey north with the soldier, the soldiers were called to battle in Pennsylvania. Will Thomas and his sister survive the bloodiest battle in the American Civil War.

-8th Grade

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

I feel like people could’ve been nicer, and didn’t hurt them physically and emotionally. I wish this whole thing never started on the first place. I mean, who’s stupid idea was it to bring people from different continent, and take them as slaves? Even when the country banned slave bringing, people still did it, and didn’t care if they died of hunger. Slaves would drown instead of becoming a slave, dying instead of living like slaves! I’m glad Abraham Lincoln stopped slavery, the protests ended color segregation, and made everyone equal after years and years

-Amy, 7th Grade, VLUS

The Alamo All-Stars (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales) by Nathan Hale

Read a book that takes place in a country other than the United States.

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 Alamo All-Stars (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales), the author Nathan Hale sneaks in all sorts of funny jokes. One part that was a favorite of mine was when The Hangman and the mini Mexican Firing Squad decided to have an executioner's sleepover and Fandango! Another thing that made me laugh out loud was that every time the firing squad fired their guns, usually because they were happy or really excited, a dead sea-gull-like-bird would fall on the frustrated Provost's head. This book was a little bit complicated, but it is also hilarious. I recommend this book and all the others in this series, but I do think that things might make a tad more sense if you read the first book: One Dead Spy.

Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Big, Bad, Ironclad! (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales) by Nathan Hale

Read a nonfiction book or historical fiction book.

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 have recently discovered the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series, and even though these books aren't exactly challenging, they are REALLY good. In this particular book, A part that made me laugh was when the British ironclad starts to run aground trying to shoot at the American ironclad, and one of the generals yells to his fellow soldiers, "Oh no! we've run aground! Our wooden bottom is showing! We can't fight with a bare bottom! This book is pretty hilarious, maybe even the funniest one in the series, though the others all have their moments. I very much suggest this book. It is VERY VERY VERY funny.

Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

Raid of No Return (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales) by Nathan Hale

Read a book that takes place in a country other than the United States.

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

Raid of No Return by Nathan Hale, is a book about the first American mission in the war against Japan to bomb Tokyo. Not exactly the kind of book you'd think that you'd end up laughing while reading, but if you think that, you are wrong. Nathan Hale does a great job making a very depressing story into a great graphic novel full of jokes, good art, and hilarious interruptions from The Hangman and The Provost. (You have to read the book to find out who those people are) One specific thing that made me laugh was one of the pilots, who really likes sandwiches. On page 69, when the army pilots have to launch their planes unexpectedly, and he comes outside with a humongous pile of sandwiches, throwing them to all his fellow army pilots. This book was really good, and I think that you should read it too.

P.S. to anyone who is writing really short reviews, dig deep! Stretch your ideas as far as you can! Don't let yourself stop at one sentence! why not write a few more? Go middle schoolers!

Lyra, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School

The Length of a String by: Elissa Brent Weissman

Read a nonfiction book or historical fiction book.

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

I would recommend the Diary of Anne Frank, The Librarian of Auschwitz by:Antonio Iturbe and Mapping the Bones by: Jane Yolen.

Ezperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Read a nonfiction book or historical fiction book.

Ezperanza Rising is such a beautifully written book. Ezperanza is a rich girl who lives on a ranch in Mexico. Her father gets killed and her home burns down, so Ezperanza and her mother go to the United States for work. They have to leave her grandmother behind. When they get to the U.S, there are strikers and a lot of discrimination against Mexicans. It's not all sad. There's a lot of happy parts and some funny parts too. I've read it like 4 times, it's so good.

Ava, 6th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

I Survived: The San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis

Read a nonfiction book or historical fiction book.

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 to everyone. I really think that this particular book, is really my favorite compared to all the I Survived books. The book just really seems so moving. Definitely read this book.

-8th grade

I Survived: The Joplin Tornado, 2011 by Lauren Tarshis

Dexter has always dreamed of seeing a real tornado. Fortunately for him, he gets an incredible offer to go storm chasing with a famous storm chaser. But, unfortunately for him, the tornado suddenly shifts direction and heads towards his hometown, Joplin and destroys everything in its path.

8th grade

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

Read a nonfiction book or historical fiction book.

I gave this book a try, even though I thought it would be like and Island Princess sort of thing, but it wasn't, and I really enjoyed it! It is about this girl Karana, who is the middle child of the Island chief. The island of the Gala-at leaves with the white men, a series of unfortunate events, and thing happen. I will leave it at that. This book reminded me a little bit of Moana, so if you like Moana, give this book a try.

Samantha, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School 

Poison Is Not Polite By Robin Stevens

Read a book that takes place in a country other than the United States.

This was a book that I liked even more than the first book, Murder Is Bad Manners. Daisy and Hazel, the Detective Society, are spending the holidays at Daisy's home for her birthday, but to soon the vacation takes a deadly turn when one of the guests is poisoned. The Detective Society learns from their mistakes, and does not rule anyone out without proper evidence. But even then, it seems like everyone has a motive, a secret, or some evidence to convict them of the crime. It doesn't help that the victim was hated by almost every person at the house, and Daisy and Hazel have to run against time as the police may arrive and convict all the wrong people.

Emilia, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School