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

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

Claudette Colvin by Philip M. Hoose

This is book is about a 15-year-old girl who changes history. This book is also a 1st and 3rd person point of view. I recommend this book to people who are trying to reach their summer goals and I recommend this book to people who are interested in history. I would tell you more but I would just ruin the book for you guys. So if you want to know more the only way to find out is by reading the book!

--Maimouna, 7th grade, Rindge Ave Upper School

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

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

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

Boston: A Topographical History

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

Who Were The Wright Brothers by James Buckley Jr.

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

Ibn Al-Haytham: The Man Who Discovered How We See by Libby Romero

Ibn Al-Haytham lived in the Golden Age of The Muslim Civilization(approximately in the 10th century) as a scientist, mathematician and a philosopher. He discovered the way how we see until today, he is even known today as the "Father of Optics".

- Abdul, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Nelson Mandela by Barbara Kramer

Nelson Mandela was a dark skinned African. As a child he dreamt of changing South Africa; as a man he changed the world. Nelson Mandela spent his life battling apartheid(segregation on grounds other than race) and championing a peaceful revolution. Until today, his name is still remembered as a great person standing for the rights of people no matter what race.

- Abdul, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Who is J.K. Rowling by Meg Belviso & Pam Pollack

In 1995, on a four-hour-delayed train from Manchester to London, J.K. Rowling got the idea of a boy wizard named Harry Potter. From that, she started to write about Harry Potter. Her books were really great and the Harry Potter movies were cool too.

- Abdul, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Who Was Isaac Newton by Janet B. Pascal

Isaac Newton was a genius. In fact, he is one of the greatest geniuses of all time. With his gift on having a brilliant intellect, he became a scientist. Isaac Newton was always a loner, preferring to spend his time contemplating the mysteries of the universe. One of his greatest discovery is about the force of gravity.

- Abdul, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin

The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin is a great Biography. It tells about Arnold from when he was a daring young kid to his days as a hero in the revolution to his traitorous end. Steve Sheinkin tells Arnold's story unbiasedly and thoroughly. I strongly recommend this book to history lovers.

- Gabe, 6th grade, Parts and Crafts

Who Was Walt Disney by Whitney Stewart

Walter Elias Disney was the creator of Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney. Walter liked pulling his classmates' attention. After reading this book, I found out that Walter was once an ambulance driver during World War I. He also liked playing practical jokes on his friends. This book had told me a lot about this great person.

What else is new?
I'm also reading Who Was Isaac Newton which was one of the greatest geniuses of all time and Who is J.K. Rowling which is the creator of Harry Potter.

- Abdul, 7th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Drowned City by Don Brown

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.

A lot of the problems that happened from Hurricane Katrina could have been solved better with better technology. For example, hospital equipment, leeves, etc. If this book was set in the future, a lot of the problems that happened because of Hurricane Katrina wouldn't be there or would have been different.

-Esme, 7th Grade, VLUS

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

Girls Who Rocked the World by Michelle Roehm McCann and Amelie Welden

If someone liked this book, what other books should they read?


This book is a collection of short biographies about famous woman who changed the world, from Joan of Arc to Mother Teresa. I highly recommend it. If someone liked this book, they should read Boys Who Rocked the World or The Daring Book for Girls.


-Julia, 6th Grade, Cambridge Friends School

Boys Who Rocked The World by Michelle Roehm McCann

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?


Boys Who Rocked the World is an interesting collection of stories about certain men and what they did to change the world (example, Chester Greenwood, and inventor from the United States who invented earmuffs). If I could learn more about a character in this book, it would be Chico Mendes, a Brazilian activist who helped saved trees. If there was a book about him, it would be called Changing Chico.


-Julia, 6th Grade, Cambridge Friends School

I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Martin Ganda and Caitlin Alifirenka

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?


This is the best book in the world!!!!! Period. It is a totally amazing true story that will make you think of the world differently.

The minor character that I want to know more about is Richie; what was he like when he grew up? If there was a book about him, it would be called "Darts".


-Julia, 6th grade, Cambridge Friends School

Being Jazz, my life as a (transgender) teen- Jazz Jennings

This book is really awesome and inspiring. It's about a girl named Jazz who was born in a boy's body. I read a similar book to this one earlier this summer and also loved that one. This book is really interesting because Jazz (formerly named Jaron) is one of America's top 15 most influential teens. She helps speak out for the rights of transgender people and inspires many other people like herself to take control of their situations. Whether its stopping someone from stepping off a building or getting to use the bathroom like a normal person of the gender they identify with, Jazz helps. Another thing that I think is cool is how Jazz met Barack Obama, Bill and Chelsea Clinton, Jennifer Lawrence, Oprah, and many others on her quest to end discrimination of LGBTQ+.


-Shira, 8th grade, Vassal Lane Upper School

Steve Jobs: Insanely Great by Jessie Hartland

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


This was an inspiring story about a boy who invented Apple Computers, iPods, iPhones, iPads and more.

I REALLY want to learn more about Chrisann, the old girlfriend of Steve's with whom he had a baby but then leaves. I wonder what happened to Chrisann!


What else is new?


This book was recommended by my school.

-Julia, 6th grade, Cambridge Friends School

Children of Alcatraz by Clair Rudolph Murphy

What would you like to tell us about the book?


Its a really good way to learn about the history of alcatraz having previously read: Alcapone Does My Homework ( a historical fiction book about kids that lived on alcatraz) I got really intrested on the topic, and this books has all I need and more facts, I really recomend it even if you don't like nonfiction


-Valentina, 6th grade, Cambridge Street Upper School