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Saanvi’s review of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase goes on a journey to delay Ragnarok and stop Loki. Magnus has to face Loki in a Flyting. He also has to find the mead, and the mead will help Magnus find his inner poet. In all of this he has to take side trips and make promises that might not be possible. I loved this book because it had a lot of funny moments. Also, I loved this book because it included lots of teamwork, and Magnus and his friends have to trust each other to win. Last but not least, these friends have had a lot of adventure and fun, and as a reader I felt like I was in the story, too.

 

Saanvi’s review of Wings of Fire, The Hive Queen, by Tui T. Sutherland

Helping a bunch of dragons that are not your tribe? What was Cricket thinking? When Cricket helped Blue hide, she didn’t know they were up for a big adventure to stop Queen Wasp. Cricket  was a dragon who loved books, was full of ideas, and asked lots of questions. When Blue showed up in her life, she didn’t expect to go on a mission to stop Queen Wasp. Cricket was also special because Queen Wasp could mind control other HiveWings but she couldn’t control Cricket. Sundew and Swordtail want to burn down the hives, but Cricket has to convince her friends there is another way to stop Queen Wasp. Cricket is determined to find out the secret of Queen Wasp’s mind control and free the other HiveWings such as her friends and family. I loved this book because Cricket is determined and won’t give up. I think people should never give up like Cricket. Also, I love this book because this book shows a lot of teamwork. Last but not least, her friends accept Cricket even though she is a HiveWing. This book is filled with adventure and has a lot of funny scenes. That is why I liked this book.

 

Saanvi’s review of Wings of Fire, The Lost Continent by Tui T. Sutherland

Funny, kindhearted Blue loves the way things are. Blue doesn’t know what he has ahead of him. Blue was the kind of dragon who loved things the way they were. Until he found out he was a Flame Silk. Blue has to escape the clutches of Queen Wasp. On his journey he finds awesome friends and steals the book of Clearsight. Blue know knows the truth about the book of Clearsight, and the more he goes on his adventure the more lies he hears from Queen Wasp. Now  there is no turning back. I loved this book because Blue was kindhearted and gave people a chance. And I believe that you should give people a chance. And the other reason I liked this book is because Blue and his friends are brave enough to face Queen Wasp even though Queen Wasp has a whole army and they are just a group of dragons.

 

Aiden’s review of Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Have you ever felt lonely and that no one was paying attention to you?  Well, wait until you see how Jerome feels because he is a ghost trying to communicate with his family! Jerome is a 12-year-old boy who gets shot by a white police officer because he is black. When he looks at this dead body he realizes that he is a ghost!  When he goes to his house, he watches his family in pain as they want him to come back to life. All Jerome felt was sadness and loneliness, but sometimes Jerome thinks Ma can still see him because she always seems to be looking in his direction. During Jerome’s adventures as a ghost, he learns that no matter who you are, you need to live life to the fullest. I think anyone who wonders what it might be like to be a ghost would like this book. I liked this book because of its message which is to live life to the fullest.

 

Arun’s review of The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy

It’s the middle of the Cold War and the stakes are high. The U.S. and the Soviet Union are keeping away from each other. One man is about to change that. Marko Ramius was the best commander in the Soviet navy. He was taking out the latest Soviet submarine, Red October. Then he makes a move. Then it’s up to Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst, to figure out what the Russians are up to. People who love action will love this book because of all the action that’s in it. People who don’t know much about the Cold War or naval tactics will have some problems understanding the book. Also, if you do not like complicated or confusing plots, this book is not for you.I loved this book because of all the action it has.

 

Saanvi’s review of Spirit Animals, Wild Born by Eliot Schrefer

Do you want a spirit animal? Well Meilin, Conor, Ebeke, and Rollan have got one. They have summoned their beasts to help defend Erdas from the Devourer. The Devourer is rising, and the green Cloaks need help to defeat him when these four young kids summon the four fallen beasts. These kids have to find each one of the beasts and take their talisman. When they find the great beast, each side goes to war and only finds the talisman and has a change of heart. I recommend this book to people who like animals. This book also talks about teamwork so that, too. I loved this book because the four kids have to use teamwork even though they don’t know each other well and also because they don’t get along well. And, also because this book has a lot of adventure and fun. The four kids get to know each other more and find each other’s hidden talent. I really liked reading this book and it was a lot of fun and also exciting.

 

Saanvi’s review of The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordin

Can you imagine what life would be like if you are a demigod? Well Percy has to put up with it. Percy Jackson goes on a quest to free his friend from being held prisoner and also get the golden fleece to cure the borders of the camp. Percy gets a dream from Grover, his friend, that he is being held prisoner. He and Annabeth get into a fight about Percey’s half brother, Tyson.  When Percy tells Annabeth about Grover she does not believe him. But Percy tells the whole camp about Grover and then a quest is arranged to find Grover and the golden fleece. I loved this book because there were some really funny moments in the book. And also because I think it is brave of Percy to go on a quest he isn’t allowed to go on, and that also showed that he really cares for his friend, Grover. The last reason I liked this book is because it was adventurous and it was team work that helped in the end.

 

Aiden’s review of Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson

Do you think your life is weird? You should see what Rafe has to deal with, from crazy drawings, to the worst principal ever. Middle school is not so bad, but when it comes to Rafe, the words Middle School is the last thing he wants to hear. Rafe is a boy that loves to draw. He has a whole notebook of drawings but when he sees weird, rude, or funny teachers he draws them the way he thinks of them and trust me when I say this, the teachers would not want to see their new look in his notebook! Also let’s just say the Principal (Principal Dwight) has rules, some bad, some good, some weird rules. Some of the rules go against what Rafe does, so when Rafe draws in school, one of the rules is no drawing pictures unless a teacher tells you. Because he didn’t follow the rules he got his notebook dunked into acid! So now Rafe is mad, so now he violates the principal’s rules, and the principal is trying to find who is violating his rules! Now your job is to find out what happens to Rafe next in the story! People who like realistic fiction and comedy would love this book. I loved this book because it was funny and because it’s based on a kid who’s almost the same age as me.

 

Saanvi’s review of The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordin

Two hunters and three campers have to go on a quest to delay the mighty evil king from rising. They also have to free a friend that has been lost. Will they make it or will they not? Read to find out. Percy’s friend Annabeth is trapped by Luke and the Titan king, Kronos. Percy has to go with four other people to free Annabeth and also delay the Kronos from rising. But Annabeth isn’t the only one trapped. So is the goddess of the hunt, Artemis. They carry the weight of the sky on their shoulders to win the battle. These young heroes will do anything to stop the rise of Kronos. I loved this book because Percy was not invited to the quest but he went anyway because he had lost his friend Annabeth. And I think that is really brave of Percy. And I also loved this book because the main characters have to work together to get all the way through. The last reason that I liked this book is because two of the five people die that shows that the people are brave and they are willing to give their life up just to stop the world from getting destroyed.

 

Radha’s review of Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Virgil Salinas is shy and misunderstood. Valencia Somerset is clever and stubborn. Kaori Tanka tells fortunes and reads the stars. Chet “the Bull” Bullens is the biggest bully in the neighborhood. They aren’t friends. They don’t all go to the same school. But when Chet pulls an unthinkable prank on Virgil and Virgil’s pet guinea pig, Gulliver, the lives of these four middle schoolers collide in surprising and unexpected ways. Just a coincidence? Or are some things meant to be? Someone who loves adventures and kindness would love this book because the book is all about that. I love this book because I love adventures and this book kept me entertained and each page you flip you keep want to be reading.

 

Saanvi’s review of The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordin

Percy gets kicked out of schools, doesn’t know who his father is, and worst of all, lives with a stepdad that is terrible to him. And all top of all that, Percy has to find the master lightning bolt and give it back to Zeus. Percy had gotten kicked out of many schools and when he finds out that he is no longer staying at Yancy Academy he is very sad. And after getting home his mom sends him to this summer camp. There he meets a girl named Annabeth Chase and also his best friend Grover. They go out on an adventure to find the master lightning bolt and give the bolt back to Zeus. I loved this book because it was full of humor and great adventure. The thing I loved most of all is when Percy Jackson found out that he was the son of Poseidon.

 

Saanvi’s review of The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordin

Save the Earth from the from the Earth goddess, find the statue of Athena, and save Nico from the giants. Seven half-bloods have taken a quest; they have the weight of Earth on their shoulders. Will they save the Earth if they can’t even get along well with each other? Read this book to find out. Percy, Hazel, Frank, Leo, Jason, Piper, and Annabeth are all on a quest to save the world from Gaea. Annabeth has to go on a side mission to find the statue of her mother, Athena. No kid of Athena’s who went in there ever came back alive. But Percy and Jason, the most powerful of the seven, can’t get along well. And also, Leo can only get along well with machines. Will these seven half-bloods put aside their differences and work well as a team? I loved this book because it has so much adventure and the characters have a lot to deal with on their plate — not just saving the world, but their own problems which I can totally relate to, so I loved this book.

 

Saanvi’s review of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordin

Magnus has to deal with another adventure to find the hammer of Thor, and Loki is part of the plan. Magnus has to find the hammer of Thor and this time he made a new friend that comes along but is he/she trustworthy because he/she is a daughter Loki. Sam, Hearthstone, Blitz, Magnus, Jack, and Alex are set out on an amazing adventure. Will they find the hammer of Thor? It is up to them, but if they don’t succeed giants are going to take over the world. But before Magnus puts that all to mind his friend Sam is getting married … Who knows what this evil god is up to. Will Magnus win or not? Read this book to find out. I think I loved this book because it’s just right, has history, and is fun.

 

Radha’s review of The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

Sit back and relax, and read the book of a Warrior girl and a Wizard boy that were collided in an interesting way. Was it just a coincidence or was there something meant to be? Xar is a Wizard boy who has no Magic and will do anything to get it. Wish is a Warrior girl, but she owns something forbidden, something magical, and she will do anything to conceal it. When stars collide, Xar and Wish must forget their differences if they are ever going to make it to the hidden dungeons at the Warrior fort — where something that has been sleeping for hundreds of years is stirring. You would like this book if you are someone who is interested in spells or even if you are someone who is not, but they would really like this funny fairy tale. I like this book because it is very catchy and at the end of each page, you would want to keep reading this book and it has a very funny sense of humor and action.

 

Aiden’s review of Heat by Mike Lupica

Do you think you could handle the pressure of being a star baseball player while trying to hide that you are an orphan living with your older brother? Wait until you read how Michael tries to be a regular kid while keeping a big secret! Michael is a 13-year-old boy who came to the U.S. from Cuba. During his escape from Cuba, he was separated from his Dad. He is secretly living alone with his older brother, Carlos. Michael loves baseball but he can’t let anyone know his secret, even his two best friends, Ellie and Manny. It was hard to keep the secret because he is a star baseball player. I think anyone who likes realistic fiction would like this book because there were a lot of actual places in the book that you could visit in real life and there are people who have separated from their families when moving to America. I liked this book because it had a sports background and I also liked it because I kept wondering if the secret would come out. It made me want  to keep reading.  

 

Saanvi’s review of Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Boom! Missing dad and dead mother. Can things get worse for Ben? Ben’s mother dies and Ben doesn’t know who his father is. One night as Ben heard a sound, he sneaked into his house and found his older cousin dancing. Then he calls his father but the lightning struck and he became deaf in the other ear, too. That night in the hospital he sneaks out to New York to find his father. I liked this book because it is funny and adventure packed.

 

 

 

Saanvi’s review of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Do you love exciting new books? If you do, this is the book for you. It’s packed with adventure and the funniest scenes. This amazing book is all the things you can imagine from elves who can’t hear to dwarfs who like fashion. This journey about gods and finding the sword of summer can’t get any harder than what Magnus Chase has experienced. He lost his mother two years ago and is living on the streets trying to escape his uncle. Magnus dies at the beginning fighting a fire giant, but that’s just the beginning of his adventure. A person who like history would like this book because it is filled with history and myths. I loved this book because I like fun adventures and history. Both adventure and history make a very good book.

 

Arun’s review of Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Gary Brandon Sanderson

Have you ever doubted that what you’re learning is wrong? Wait until you hear what Alcatraz figures out! Alcatraz is a foster child who thinks his parents are still alive. He has a big problem. Whenever he touches something, it breaks! He doesn’t know anything about why he has that problem. Will Alcatraz find out the truth? This book is insanely humorous. I personally love any kind of comedy. So, if you love comedy and want something out of the ordinary to read, you have got to try Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. At the time, I was having problems finding what I wanted to read. I first thought this would be one of those novels where some kid gets lost and tries to find his parents. After I read the first chapter I knew this was different. This book is written from the author’s perspective and the main character. This gave me an interesting script and I liked that a lot. I would give this 5 stars.

 

Aiden’s review of The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

If you think you have troubles with your teacher, you should see what Holling Hoodhood goes through with his teacher! This poor kid thinks the teacher hates his guts! Wait until you see what happens in the end! Holling Hoodhood is a 13-year-old seventh grader. In this book, Holling thinks his teacher, Ms. Baker, hates his guts. During the year, he runs into some problems with Ms. Baker, but his mom and sister refuse to help him. When he asks his dad for help, he tells Holling to get it together. Mr. Hoodhood has a family business and the company is working with the Bakers. He doesn’t want a business deal to fall through so he wants Holling to be on his best behavior near Ms. Baker.  Throughout the book, no matter what Holling does, he can’t seem to impress Ms. Baker! I think any student would like this book because you may have had a teacher that you thought didn’t like you. I liked this book because there was a lot of controversy between him and his family and between him and his teacher. He had to figure out how to get through 7th grade.

 

Avery’s review of Smile by Raina Telgemeier

You have never appreciated your teeth as much as you will after you read the book Smile. In the beginning of the book Raina fell and knocked one of her front teeth out while the other was pushed up. She ended up getting braces, etc. It was a dramatic part of the book. To find out what was needed to fix the teeth and how she reacted to it all, read the book yourself! I think that people that like books that are based on a true story will like this book because Raina is the author but she is also telling a story of her childhood. The book Smile is a really good book. I liked it because it used a lot of describing words and the illustrations were really detailed too. 

 

 

Joann’s review of Guts by Raina Telgemeier

My book review is on the book Guts. It is a great story and maybe some kids can relate to Raina’s fear. Whenever she is nervous, she feels like she might throw up or puke. She gets that feeling a lot because there is one girl who is really mean to her and her friends. Her name is Michelle. So her mom decided to take her to a therapist to help Raina so she did not get nervous and puke. It turned out that the therapist really helped her once she told her that there was someone at school who was being mean to her. Lauren (the therapist) said maybe Michelle is making you a little nervous and Raina said it happens randomly, too. Raina and her mom went to the hospital and it turned out she had something called IBS and the doctor said it comes and goes, so just eat healthy and drink water. Michelle was starting to be nice to Raina’s best friend and she was not very happy about it. Then she said if she started to be nice to me then I should to her. 

 

Mrs. Jaffe’s Review of Sandra Day O’Connor by Joan Biskupic

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Nine “justices,” including the Chief Justice, serve on the Supreme Court. Right now there are six men and three women justices. There was a time, though, when the Supreme Court consisted only of men! Can you believe that? Sandra Day O’Connor was the very first woman Supreme Court justice appointed in 1981 by Pres. Ronald Reagan. This biography covers her entire life from growing up on a ranch in rural Arizona, to becoming a lawyer, to being elected an Arizona legislator. Once O’Connor got onto the Supreme Court, she was always in the spotlight because she was the FIRST woman in that position. She had a voice in ruling on many interesting cases that came before the Supreme Court including school busing, women’s rights, and other controversial issues. If you are interested in history (as I am!), you would like this book. (Of course, it is an adult book!!). I liked it very much because even if I didn’t always agree with some of O’Connor’s opinions, I was very impressed with the fact that she learned to hold her own in a profession that was historically all-male.