The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Reviewed by Bahar

A magician has died from a mysterious fire, but the only person at the scene of the crime was the magician’s gardener. He says he smelled something funny—huevos podridos, rotten eggs. To find out who killed the magician and why, Cass and Max-Ernest have some clues: a strange notebook, a mysterious couple that seems to know a lot about the magician, several hundred kids who have a disease, synesthesia, and a humorous spa with a secret. All these clues connect in some way—but how?

The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch was really fun to read. One reason is that the author has a great sense of humor. For example, in the middle of the book, Bosch writes: “I’ve come to my senses. Rather that continuing the adventures of our protagonists, I’m going to end this book here where we all assume that the heroes of this book are safe, but since you bribed me with a piece of chocolate, I have no choice but to continue.” That really cracked me up because usually in fiction books the author does not say anything from their own perspective. His humor made this novel the special one it is.

            I also loved the characters in the novel. They describe the details of their everyday lives and missions in such a lively, funny, and unique way that it felt like I was in the book with them. This is how Cassandra describes the situation at Max-Ernest’s house: “Max-Ernest’s parents have been divorced since he was a baby. But instead of moving to different houses, his parents drew a physical line down the middle of the house and neither parent is allowed to walk over the line or talk to the other. Only Max-Ernest can cross the line.” That is quite clever because I’ve never seen any family do that! It was smart of the author to make up such an entertaining description.

            I would give this story a 10/10 any day, because the unique style it has is unlike any book I’ve read before. Usually in a story there is one climax, but in this surprising novel there are at least 12 climaxes, and all of them have amazing outcomes. I would recommend The Name of this Book is Secret to kids who enjoy humor, mystery, and foreshadowing. Even if you don’t really like mystery, I would even recommend this hilarious tale to you because it is amazingly clever and funny!

Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 384 pages.

Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull

Reviewed by Maya

Kendra and Seth Sorenson are just two “normal” kids until an unexpected event happens. Their grandpa called them to his house because he needs their help saving his sanctuary, called Fablehaven. For five years, the siblings have battled monsters, stopped plagues, and saved nymphs, but nothing ever endangered the outside world like this. Because of their ability to stand in the presence of a dragon and not freeze, they were called up to the job. Little do they know how this will be harder than all the other challenges they have faced.

One reason that I really liked the first book of Dragonwatch because it was captivating. It was also sorrowful and stressful, but at the same time you have exciting and suspenseful moments. My favorite part was when a character named Celebrant (the king of the dragons) literally tears off an area of the house and tries to kill Kendra and Seth with fire. It was so exciting!

Also, I really liked this novel because it kept me on my toes. When my mom would call me down to dinner, it was so hard to rip myself away from this wonderful book. With dragons slinking around, there are not many books that are more sensational.

This is definitely a book that I would recommend to anyone looking for an adventure shrouded in terror. I would definitely give it a 10 out of 10. As a piece of advice, you should also read Fablehaven, all five books, before you read Dragonwatch so you know what in the world is happening.

Shadow Mountain, 384 pages

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Reviewed by Anandita

Twins Hansel and Gretel are born to a handsome king and beautiful queen. They lead an enjoyable life, until one frightening day when their father takes his sword and slashes it across the twins’ necks! They magically revive, but escape from their house thinking that their parents do not love them anymore. As they step out, they encounter candy houses and cannibal witches, seven swans, mythical forests, and worst of all, bloody beasts and murderers. Hansel and Gretel are separated, and they must learn to go on without each other, and when they reunite, there is an unpleasant surprise for them waiting at home.

I really enjoyed A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz. The author’s smooth, elaborate writing submerged me into the book, and he really allowed me to clearly have a sense of exactly what all the characters were feeling. The cruel murderer, bloodthirsty dragon, and flesh-eating devil are some of the characters in the book which gave the original happily ever after Hansel and Gretel tale a twist.

 Another reason why I favored this action-packed book is because I loved how it was written. You could see how much the siblings loved each other, no matter what. They both are separated and have to face their own adventure alone, but they risked their lives just to come together again. It may seem like an ordinary book, but after you read it, you will find a hidden meaning to it.

I would rate this book a 10/10, and would recommend this book to anyone who likes a high paced book full of action, suspense, and comedy. But keep in mind that this book is a little disgusting and disturbing. I truly loved this book, and I really could not put it down without finishing it. If I were you, I would run to the library and get this book right now!

Dutton Books for Young Readers, 256 pages.

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Reviewed by Claire C.

Have you ever had a teacher you really liked suffer a bad incident?

 Because of Mr. Terupt is a book by Rob Buyea set at a school in Connecticut. Fifth grade has started at Snow Hill School, and seven students find themselves in Mr. Terupt’s class: Peter, Jessica, Luke, Alexia, Jeffrey, Danielle, and Anna. They don’t have a lot in common and have not ever really gotten along. Not until a new teacher, Mr. Terupt arrives, and teaches them valuable lessons that change their lives. But one day, Mr. Terupt suffers a horrible accident. Can the students look back at his lessons and keep living their lives normally, or will they forget about what they learned at the beginning of fifth grade and go back to the way they were before Mr. Terupt?

One reason I liked this book so much was because there were constantly interesting events and page turners. Whenever I thought one event was the climax, there was always another situation that outdid the previous one and made me want to keep discovering what else the book had in store. In this book, each character had at least one major conflict or struggle, and by the end, he or she had resolutions that wrapped up the storyline.

Another reason I really enjoyed this book was because the characters had great personalities. There are seven characters, and each one has a different nature. Some get in trouble, some are quiet and shy, and some are loud and bossy. Because of this, you can definitely relate to their problems and lives.

This book was one of the best books I’ve read, and I couldn’t stop reading it. It is a satisfying read for people who like realistic fiction and relatable books. This book is part of a three-book series, and both sequels: Mr. Terupt Falls Again, and Saving Mr. Terupt are just as good. I would give this book an 11 out of 10 if I could!

Yearling, 268 pages

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Reviewed by Audrey

“The murderer is with us-on the train now...and every one of you is a suspect.”

The Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie is about a well-known detective, Hercule Poirot, who is traveling on the Orient Express. A man named Ratchett sees him, pulls him aside, and gives him a deal to work for him to protect him, since he has been receiving nasty letters. Poirot refuses. That night, he hears a cry in Ratchett’s compartment. Then, the conductor tells him that the train is stuck in a snow drift. The next morning, M.Bouc, the head of the Wagon Lit, informs Poirot that Ratchett has been murdered.

The reason why I liked this book so much is that, if you are like me, you try to solve the mystery too. Hercule Poirot finds information bit by bit, and he gives you just enough hints that you can solve the mystery by the time he reveals the answer. And, once he reveals the solution, you find that the situation is much more complex than what you originally thought was going to happen.

I also enjoyed this book because I liked the suspense. It made me want to read to the very last page, without stops or breaks for a meal. I just could not put the book down! The most interesting part was when he finally revealed who committed the murder. I didn’t mind that the book is also a little hard to understand, since some of the dialogue was in French, but that made the book a lot more fun to read.

The Murder on the Orient Express is the best mystery book I have ever read! I rate this book a 10/10 and I recommend this book for everyone who likes mystery and a little French dialogue. Feeling bored? Go check out this book right now!

Collins Crime Club, 288 pages

The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer

Reviewed by Angela

            Alex and Connor have spent all of their life in the real world, but they are now stuck in a new, fantastical world. They do not know how to react or what they should do. With monsters roaming around and their very lives in danger, their future could change any second.

            In The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer, twins Alex and Connor fall into a land of fairytales and magic. They see Snow White’s coffin, and they battle Goldilocks’ enemies alongside her. In the Land of Stories, they experience adventures that they will never forget, and they fall in love with this world while trying to find a way home.

One feature of this book is the interesting graph of its excitement; while most fiction or fantasy books rise in action, reach the climax, and draws to a conclusion, The Wishing Spell kept me on the edge of my seat. I never knew when things were going to go smoothly for Alex and Connor, and when they might be eaten alive by goblins and trolls. In this novel, plot twists enchant every chapter and the path to victory for the protagonists changes with every sentence. Chris Colfer boldly disobeyed the usual plotline near the end of the novel by throwing a sudden twist at the twins. The Wishing Spell will certainly keep the reader turning the pages with its exciting story.

Another reason why I enjoyed reading this book was that Alex and Connor were introduced to fairytale characters that they always dreamed of meeting, like Cinderella and the Little Mermaid. Their excitement and shock allow readers to imagine what it would be like to meet these characters themselves, thus deeply drawing them into the perspective of the children. Many children, myself included, wonder what happens to Cinderella after she becomes a princess and marries Prince Charming, or what becomes of Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother after the Big Bad Wolf is killed; with The Wishing Spell, the author cleverly relates all of the characters and provides an afterword to their stories by combining their kingdoms into the Land of Stories. The twins’ love and energy really draws me into the story and makes me feel like I am meeting these fairytale characters myself.

            The Wishing Spell is a 10/10 book that I would recommend to anybody who likes a fair amount of adventure or can relate to a character’s emotions. After turning its last page, I felt an urge to pick up the next book in The Land of Stories, the series that The Wishing Spell is a part of. This novel was a beautiful blend of modern adventures, emotional moments, and classic fairy tales. Check this book out now and get ready to be eaten alive by a witch… or, at the very least, enjoy a wonderful story!

Scholastic Inc., 438 pages

Eddie Red Undercover Book 3: Doom at Grant’s Tomb by Marcia Wells

Reviewed by Vyom

Threatening to blow up all of New York, Lars Heinrich, a robber, is making bombs. Eddie Red, a twelve-year-old kid with a photographic memory, works for the NYPD. The art thief, Lars, was thought to be in Germany, but he turns up in Eddie’s neighborhood. Later, he takes Eddie hostage. Will the NYPD be able to save Eddie Red and stop the bombs in time, or will New York be blown up?

Doom at Grants Tomb by Marcia Wells was a fantastic book. One reason that I really enjoyed it was because you want to keep reading and you do not know what will happen. When a party is going on, Eddie Red goes missing. Also, you will never think that Mr. Frank, a police officer, will be a teacher, secretly watching and trying to protect such a smart boy like Eddie Red. In addition, when the boy is stuck in a robber’s apartment with three other adults, two bad, one good, and the keys to escape from the room are hidden, it is very interesting to find out how Eddie Red stops the robber.

Another reason that I enjoyed the novel is because you can feel Eddie Red’s feelings, and you, as the reader, are in his shoes. When Eddie Red gets kidnapped, you can feel his emotions and trouble. Also, when Lars starts asking Eddie questions about where valuables are hidden, you can feel the pressure on Eddie Red’s heels. Lastly, you have your mind thinking very hard about how the boy can escape from a locked room with time ticking.

I recommend this book and would rate it a 10/10. It has lots of foreshadowing and is great for people interested in mystery or adventure. If you can, go to the library and check it out now!

HMH Books for Young Readers, 208 pages.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Reviewed by Vika

Ella of Frell has a curse, a terrible curse: she is obedient. Ella’s Fairy Godmother, Lucinda, put a curse on her, so whenever someone tells Ella something, she obeys. Ella doesn’t like the curse and wants to get rid of it. This amazing story is about how Ella survives with this curse, and how she remains strong even through the hard times. At any time, someone can tell her, to run for her life, steal everything in her path, or betray her kingdom, and Ella will do it, because she has no choice.  

One reason why I love Ella Enchanted was because it was humorous. I laughed out loud while reading about Ella and especially her step-sisters. One of my favorite quotes was “Hattie has five and a half trunks, Mother. And I have only…less. I have less, and it’s not fair!” The adventurous part of the book often stops, and the author, Gail Carson Levine, adds a little something to make me laugh.

Another reason I like Ella Enchanted is because it is really interesting because it is super mysterious. Every time I turned the page I was waiting to flip the page again and I could not even take my eyes off the book or imagine what would happen next.. The author writes so descriptively, that I could actually see every plot in my mind. The setting, her words take you on a journey, as if you are flying going into the kingdom of Frell yourself.   

On a scale from one to ten, I rate Ella Enchanted ten out of ten! It is a lovely book, full of irony, great literature, and more! I recommend this book for girls and boys, and also for people who love adventure and every now and then, a little romance (I don’t like romance, but I assure you, it’s okay). Also, if you like mystery I recommend this to you.  Why are you still reading this review? GO READ THE BOOK!

HarperCollins, 232 pages

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Reviewed by Saira

Jason is a normal teenage boy until he finds out that he is a demigod: a half-god, half-human. Jason and his two best friends, Leo and Piper, all go to Camp Half-Blood after being rescued from evil storm spirits. Jason finds out that Hera, the goddess of marriage and family, has been kidnapped by a giant! So, Piper, Leo, and Jason venture to save her on a flying gold dragon. They have to go through many different obstacles to find Hera and rescue her. Otherwise, they might be the ones to start the biggest war ever. This is a fantastic and adventure-filled book that will make you want to tell everyone to read it.

One reason I loved The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan is that it is the odd continuation of the best-selling Percy Jackson series that is my all-time favorite. Although this book is the continuation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Jason, a kid from Camp Jupiter becomes the main character instead of Percy. The author, Rick Riordan, is an author who puts Greek and Roman Gods and their kids into real life (or not real life) situations. He also has mythical creatures from Ancient Greece and Rome. His stories are kind-of spin-offs of the real Greek stories.

Another reason why I liked this book is that Rick Riordan will always have some silly or weird dialogue that will make you laugh or giggle. For example, at one point the narrator says, “Sounds fun, but can we go back to the part where I’m supposed to be dead? I don’t like that part.” The author will always find a way to make you laugh.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this book a 9. It is a great book, but it does have a bit of lovey-dovey stuff in it. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a lot of adventure and someone who has read the Percy Jackson series before. Why are you still reading this review? Go find this book now!

Disney Publishing Worldwide, 553 pages

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

Reviewed by Jonny

Reynie is living a peaceful life with his friends, Kate, Sticky, and Constance. Reynie loves this peaceful life, but some of his friends would rather have some adventure in their lives. However, whether they like it or not, danger will come, and it will come quickly.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey is set in a busy port town called Stonetown right after the Institute is abandoned. The Institute is a place in the first book of the series, The Mysterious Benedict Society. Suddenly, the man who brought them all together, is held hostage and his captor, his evil twin brother, is searching for the most powerful plant in the world. If he finds it, the world will be doomed. Their only hope is a string of clues lead to an island where the person they are trying to save is. Constance, Kate, Reynie, and Sticky, follow the clues and will ultimately try to save the world.  

One reason why I liked this book is because there are multiple main characters that are all unique with different talents and gifts. In the first book of the series, The Mysterious Benedict Society, they are brought together by a man who knows their gifts and wants them to help him solve a mystery. In the story they reunite to find a missing person.Their gifts range from being very agile and able to get out of difficult situations to having lots of knowledge. Everyone needs to work together for the rescue mission to succeed.

Another reason I liked this book was because it was a blend of genres and contained science fiction, adventure, and mystery. It also was realistic enough to make sense, but not realistic enough to seem like it could happen in real life. Instead of clues that would lead to other clues and eventually lead to a remote island where a surprise party was planned, the person who planned the surprise party is held hostage at that island. His captor knows that he has information that could lead him to an extremely powerful plant. The friends need to find him and help him escape from that island before it is too late.

I would rank this book a 10/10. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mystery or likes an adventure. It is a mystery that leads the main characters from one place to another while also having codes, mysterious clues, and hidden messages. Overall, this was an amazing read!

Little, Brown, 503 pages

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Reviewed by Gary

“They are MOVING & GROOVING, … CrissCROSSING and FLOSSING, … leaving you SLIPPING as they score, nothing but net.”

When they are on the court together, you will not beat them, no matter what. Meet the Bell brothers, the basketball “phenoms” who deliver on the court every single day.

Josh and Jordan Bell are two brothers with a dad who used to be an NBA player. He was known as “Da Man” for his ridiculously good basketball skills. The Bell brothers have remarkable basketball technique and are potential NBA All-Stars too. Their season gets off to a wonderful start as they win every single game, but then Jordan meets a girl and everything changes. When their season is nearing an end, Josh and his dad are playing basketball together. That’s when disaster strikes. Will the brothers find a way to play through their loss?

One of the reasons I like this book is that the author allows you to envision what’s going on during the game in your mind, just like when you’re watching a movie. The free verse poetry and the shape of the poems really allow you to visualize the movement of Filthy McNasty’s ankle-breaking crossovers and his brother JB’s ridiculous range. In addition to this, the basketball and brotherhood topic help provide supplementary action and brings energy into the story.

Another reason why I like this book is how Josh and Jordan, the two brothers, are so different. Josh, on one hand, is a man with many moves, and he loves to brag. His “game so sweet, it’s a crepes suzette.” Jordan is a shooter, a “ladies man,” and a boy who loves to bet. “If it’s ninety degrees outside and the sky is cloudless, he will bet you that it’s going to rain.” Even though the two brothers are so different, they find out a way to get along.

Crossover is a book that really shows you winning isn’t always everything when it comes to life. Kwame Alexander really allowed me to feel the drama going on in the brothers’ life. I would recommend this book to anybody who knows a lot about basketball. I would give this book a 10/10 rating. So, go to the library and check this book out!

Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 237 pages

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Reviewed by Claire P

Catrina is not happy to be moving to a new home, but she tries to push aside her selfishness for her sister Maya and live a normal life. Unfortunately for Cat, as soon as a neighbor tells them that ghosts reside in their small town, Maya leads her on a ghost hunt, endangering herself even more.

In Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier, the main character Catrina, or Cat, is not happy to be moving to cold, windy, Bahía de la Luna. However, she knows that the cool, salty, air is better for her younger sister, Maya. Maya has cystic fibrosis, which is an incurable, inherited illness that makes it hard for her to breathe. When a neighbor says that ghosts live in their new town, Maya pulls Cat along with her on a ghost tour with a boy named Carlos. Maya instantly becomes friends with the ghosts, but when they use her breath for a burst of fresh air, she faints and has to be sent to the hospital at once. After that, a worried Cat tries her best to keep all the ghosts away from her house until she realizes how kind, fun, and amazing the all the ghosts can be.

One of the reasons that I enjoyed this book is that the main character, Cat, cares more about her sister than having fun. For example, when she has a chance to enjoy the most festive party of the year in her new town, she worries that Maya will be in danger because of the ghosts who visit. After plenty of reassurance from her sister, she finally tries to enjoy herself, but still finds her mind wandering back to the thought if Maya will be okay.

Another reason why I loved this book so much was that it has a mysterious ending. Instead of all the questions being answered like in some stories, Ghosts leaves people wondering about certain events in the story. To me, that is better because if Telgemeier answered all the questions, then I wouldn’t be able to change it. Since she left a few unfinished details though, I can make up my own ending to the story.

I would rate this book a 9/10 and recommend it to everyone who enjoys a fictional graphic novel with a dash of humor. This book is a great book that I could not put down as soon as I started reading it!

Graphix, 256

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by Melody

            Eragon, a simple farm boy, is hunting in the mountains when he hears an explosion and a blue stone appears in front of him. He brings it home, where it hatches into a dragon named Saphira. He raises her in secret, and together, they become Dragon Riders.

In Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, Eragon, Saphira, and the Varden, an army opposed to Galbatorix, a deranged dark king, venture to march to the capital, where Galbatorix resides. This exciting novel tells the tale of this group of friends who want to destroy their enemy and let peace ring on the land once and for all.

One of the reasons I like Inheritance is because the author weaves an amazing story with elves, humans, dragons, and other strange and beautiful creatures. He makes it very easy to understand the people of Alagaesia and shows how an entire world can unite against a common foe. Paolini makes the characters really come to life and act believable, like real humans. For example, Roran, Eragon’s cousin, decides to go to a city called Helgrind to save his betrothed, Katrina, even though Alagaesia was in the middle of a war.

I also recommend this book because Paolini weaves a powerful message throughout the story- that family is what you make it, not who your blood relatives are. Eragon proves this true when he speaks to Roran and says, “Murtaugh isn’t my brother, even though he may be my half-brother in blood.” Paolini also shows that friendship can stand through the hardest of times, and that love can make you stronger than anything else.

            I give Inheritance a 9/10 and a recommendation for all adventurous girls and boys alike. However, make sure to read Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr before reading Inheritance. Go to the library and get a copy today! 

Random House, 849 pages

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Reviewed by Saahil

Harry Potter, a strange, trouble-making boy at Hogwarts, is a great Quidditch player. But this year at Hogwarts, the school is not doing a Quidditch tournament. Instead, Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament, an old tournament between three wizards where many people in the past have died. He gets called for the tournament even though he doesn’t want to do it and he would be the fourth wizard in the tournament. Also, he is in his fourth year, and only wizards that were in the fifth year or above were supposed to participate. Harry has to go through three different tasks against the three other wizards at his young age and learns spells that he would learn later in his years at Hogwarts so he can compete with the others. He does well in the first two tasks, but in the third task, something crazy happens. What will Harry do?

The first reason I liked Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is because it is very suspenseful. Between the second and third tasks, Harry has to prepare for the final task with his friends Hermione and Ron, although he does not know exactly what is coming up. The judges tell the four contestants that the third task will be a giant maze with lots of monsters and other traps, but the judges do not tell them what they will specifically face. J.K. Rowling did an excellent job to make the reader not want to put the book down and keep reading.

Another reason that I enjoyed this book is because it is part of an excellent series. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban are the first three books in the series, each better than the one before it. J.K. Rowling gives each book a new twist just like in the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Sirius Black escapes Azkaban and Harry finds out that he did not actually kill his parents. I like that every book in the series is a year at Hogwarts. I enjoy books that are part of a series because I feel that you can always fit more in the storyline of the main character or characters.

I would rate this addition to the Harry Potter series a 10 out of 10. I would recommend this book to kids who like some suspense, a lot of magic, and can deal with a long book. I would also suggest reading the first three books in the series before this one. Go to your closest library or bookstore and read this book!

Scholastic Inc. 734 Pages

Revenge of The Witch by Joseph Delaney

Reviewed by Ariana

Tom goes into an abandoned, creepy cottage, hoping to become the Spook’s apprentice. The boy tries to sleep, but constantly hears screaming and footsteps getting louder by the minute. It is midnight and he finally has to face the soul lurking in the cellar.

Joseph Delaney’s Revenge of The Witch is a novel in which Tom, a boy looking for a job, decides to become a Spook’s apprentice. He learns many things about handling different creatures and faces many adventures along the way. In this book, he ends up tricking a dangerous witch into making her stronger and has to decide what to do about it. Even though it might seem easy to kill a witch, it is not, and Tom almost dies on the job.

 One reason I like this book is due to the thrilling adventures the Spook and his apprentice have on the job. When handling different varmints, they have to be very precise, and if a wrong move is made, bad things can happen. Also, It is hard work deciding how to punish what you have caught, so in my opinion, it is interesting to see what they end up doing.

Another reason why this story is spectacular is that the book is unpredictable. When you seem to get bored of it, something you totally did not expect will happen. In this series entitled The Wardstone Chronicles, the books I have read so far all had this effect on me, and I always enjoy the plot twist.

I rate this book a 10/10 because it is so adventurous and is an amazing read. I would recommend this book for people who like quests and mythical monsters. This has to be one of my favorites!

The Bodley Head, 389

The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Reviewed by Allison

“The teachers started yelling then, and we all climbed onto the train. Before the noon church bells rang, the train began to move. We’d escaped. Mam, Hitler’s bombs, my one-room prison. Everything. Crazy or not, I was free.”

            The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a novel set in World War ll. Ada has lived with her mother all her life, until now. Her mother has always been a cruel woman, favoring Ada’s younger brother because Ada has a clubfoot. When the town of London forecasts that Hitler’s bombs will fall, all children are evacuated. Her six-year-old brother, Jamie, is also evacuated because he is favored. Ada, on the other hand is supposed to stay. As her mother says to her, “You can’t leave. You never will. You’re stuck here, right in this room, bombs or no.” Despite this, she still escapes with the evacuees to a little village in the countryside. There, she goes to Ms. Smith’s house, where her adventure begins.

One of the reasons I enjoyed this book is because it is very suspenseful and full of adventure. It is a vividly written page turner! In one chapter, Ada is stuck in a filthy cabinet under the sink, listening to her mother cackle delightedly, and the next she is riding a pony in Ms. Smith’s backyard. This book also put me on the edge of my seat, as it can get very exciting. In my mind, Ada pulls me along with her in this amazing story of adventure.

            The second reason I enjoyed it is because it not only gives facts about World War II, but it also bundles in some humor and fiction. This intrigued me even more. This is why the book was so enjoyable to read. I think that even people who don’t like reading will enjoy it, since it is a new style of historical fiction with a twist.

            I would rate this book a 11/10 because it was so entrancing. I would recommend this book to everybody, no matter what age. I would give this book to anyone in search of a good read. Now go check it out!

Puffin Books, 316 pages

Under Locker and Key by Allison K. Hymas

Reviewed by Advay

When a sneaky protagonist, Jeremy, goes about his daily life at school, he tries to reclaim others’ possessions and return them to their rightful owners. As a shady classmate shows up at his back door after school, Jeremy is glad he has another client. This client innocently asks Jeremy to retrieve his father’s “house key.” However, Jeremy soon realizes that he has been framed for stealing the master key, the one that can open anyone’s locker.

            One reason I enjoyed reading Under Locker and Key by Allison K. Hymas is because the characters surprised me. For example, Jeremy teams up with his arch-nemesis to solve the interesting enigma. On his way to working out the mystery, certain obstacles block his path. He gets into a fight with his friends and they isolate him, even though he assures them that everything will be okay and the perpetrator will be caught.

            The second reason I have a fondness for this suspenseful novel is because it is different, in an odd way. Jeremy works for various students without payment and brings back the principal’s retainer after he loses it. I have read many books and watched many movies, but I have never seen a “thief” working for the good side, and that is what makes this read so amazing.

            This action-packed book is extremely remarkable. I recommend this book to any student who like to read through the mystery genre, and I would rate this book a 10/10. This was a novel I buried myself in!

Aladdin, 256 pages

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

Reviewed by Sidak

Creative and fun, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is about a family of three pets, two adults, and five children who have to move. Their grumpy landlord, Mr. Beiderman, will not renew their lease. So, the desperate children work hard to come up with creative ideas to save their lovely brownstone home.

One reason I enjoyed this book was due to the creativity and adventure. The Vanderbeeker children have to come up with ideas in order to change their landlords’ minds about making them move. The ideas they come up with are truly creative and fun. For example, six year-old Hyacinth makes their petulant landlord a placemat with his name on it, and twelve year-old Jessie makes a science project to light up Beiderman’s door.

Another reason I liked this book is that the plot has many elements that build it up, and the ending truly shows the meaning of all the events before the final. Even though some of the plans used to save their home fail, the children keep on trying. For example, when Jessie and Laney bring breakfast for Mr. Beiderman, Jessie accidentally tips the tray and the tea kettle falls to the ground and breaks. Despite this incident, the children do not give up.

I would rank this book a 10 out of 10. If you like a creative and fun book, I would recommend this novel to you. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is definitely an intriguing story. Go to the library today to check it out!

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 297 pages

Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques

Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques

Reviewed by Shiven

The badger, Lord Brocktree, grimaces as he sails into the harbor of Salamandastron. Every male badger eventually arrives at the legendary mountain, Salamandastron, and claims it for himself, and this year, it is Brocktree’s turn. But shockingly, he finds his father killed, the hares that serve at the great mountain imprisoned, and a vermin wildcat ruling the mountain!

Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques is an intriguing read that will captivate the mind of any avid reader. Lord Brocktree, the 11^th badger lord of a certain royal lineage, must journey to Salamandastron with the help of a haremaid (Dotti), an army of hedgehogs, and many others. However, Ungatt Trunn, the evil wildcat, has an army of unprecedented size and the badger lord finds that the only way to win the battle will be to kill Ungatt in a one-on-one fight! Will the great badger ever overthrow the evil wildcat?

I fell in love with this book as soon as I picked it up. One of the many reasons I liked the book is because of its winding and supremely complicated plot. In most of the adventure books I have read, the protagonist is given a straightforward quest to complete. Not in Lord Brocktree! Instead of the usual, plain plot in many other novels of the same genre, this book pits the protagonist against a series of brutal challenges and armies of unprecedented size. For example, when Stonepaw, Brocktree’s father, is moving his army of hares out of Salamandastron using the tunnels beneath the revered mountain, he unexpectedly faces an army of unfriendly king crabs. After engaging in a fierce battle Brocktree’s army come to a truce with the crabs and are granted a safe voyage through shellfish territory. This is just one example of the unexpected events that occur during the novel.

A second reason I liked the novel is because of the unique voice that each species has. This makes the novel much more rapid because I could identify a character by the way that they talk, so the author didn’t actually have to tell me who is speaking. For example, the moles have a very thick accent, while the vermin (rats, weasels, stoats, ferrets, etc.) use a weird slang. Although some characters’ accents are extremely hard to understand while reading to yourself, if you simply read the sentence out loud everything that the character says seems to make sense.

I would rate this book a 10/10, but let me make myself clear: if you are afraid of blood and gore, this is not the book for you! This novel is the thirteenth book in the Redwall series, but it makes perfect sense without reading any of the other books. Once again, I love this book more than any other of its genre and would recommend it to any battle-loving reader!

Firebird Fantasies, 357 pages

Beware the Deep Dark Life by Kat Falls

Reviewed by Robert

   

Ty is not an average 10-year-old boy. He lives on the ocean floor and has unusual skin. One day, he is greeted by a “Topsider” named Gemma, who may just give him the adventure of a lifetime.

            As the topsider, Gemma, adventures into the ocean on a search for her brother, she comes across our protagonist, Ty. Gemma and the boy with pale, glowing skin are curious about each other, as they come from different parts of the world. They must figure out a way to work together to find Gemma’s lost brother. This means that they will have to put their differences aside to overcome the dangers of the deep.

Beware the Deep Dark Life by Kat Falls is an eye-catching novel. Falls’s display of suspense in multiple plots made me sink into her well-written book. Gemma, the topsider, must search for her brother who is lost in the ocean. Simultaneously, Ty must help the unfamiliar stranger overcome the dangers of the deep. Gemma also has to get along with Ty. Each of these three plots enveloped me in their own unique way as I was reading.

I also loved this edge-of-your-seat adventure book because there are funny parts, even at suspenseful moments. These examples of comic relief made me laugh in my seat. At one point, when Ty and Gemma are having a serious conversation, Ty’s sister, Zoey, is rolling around with an octopus stuck to her face. Falls makes the reader think that the fun is over when Gemma attempts to kick the octopus, but Ty does not let that happen and protects the deep sea mollusk. Zoey continues acting like a goofball and entertained me even more as I could not keep a straight face.

I would recommend this book to readers who like adventurous and comical books and are of the ages 7 - 13. This book is not amazingly hard to read, so a second grader could understand the plot and a teenager would still be able to laugh at the childish events. I would definitely rate this book a deserving 10 out of 10, so check out this book and get reading! Remember, the underwater adventure will continue when Falls publishes her next page-turner, Riptide!

Scholastic Inc,  297 pages