Review: Ten Good and Bad Things About My Life (So Far)

Title: Ten Good and Bad Things About My Life (So Far)
Author: Ann M. Martin
Ages: 8-12
Favorite Character: Pearl and JBIII

I think people would like this book because Pearl and JBIII are trying to look for a job and earn money for their families. Pearl’s dad lost his job and she feels like they can’t do anything or have anything expensive. They can’t even have pizza and watch movies!

I like how Pearl expressed her feelings in the book. I would feel the same way because I would never want my dad to lose his job.

They were going to go on a Wild West trip with their Daddy Boo. But they couldn’t afford to go. Pearl felt really sad because she was looking forward to going on the trip and telling her friends all about it.

Even though it sounds sad, they still had some exciting parts like having coffee and going to their favorite places. Like Pearl went on a subway and there were some funny moments.

Review: Flush

Reviewed by: Soccertap5, Grade 5.
“Peace Out!!”

Title: Flush
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Ages: 10-14
Favorite Character: Noah Underwood

Are you sick and tired of your dad going to jail for the third time? Well, Noah is. Noah is 13 years old living the life of a normal 13 year old kid but he has lots of problems on his hands. Noah has to stop his dad from escaping from jail, then find who the stranger who almost saved his life along, as well as stop this big bully named Bull from bullying him. WOW! That’s a lot of work for a kid.

Now I’m not sure if you have had the feeling of wanting to show someone wrong. Well, that’s how Abbey (Noah’s sister) felt. The night their mom went upstairs to check on them when BAMMMMMMM, she wasn’t there. Everyone got worried they wanted to go seaching for Abbey but their father, Paine Underwood, was stuck on house arrest which did not allow him to leave the house or so one would think.

This book is realistic fiction. I recommend this book for kids ages 10-14 years old. Now, if you think you love this book then please pick it up and read it.

Review: Maniac Magee

Reviewed by: SoccerStar Gal, Grade 5.
“Hi. I’m SoccerStar Gal. I love playing soccer, tennis and much more! Hope you enjoy the reviews!!!!”

Title: Maniac Magee
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Ages: Grades 4-6
Favorite Character: Maniac Magee

Have you ever felt like running away because you couldn’t take it anymore? Well, that’s what happened to Jeffrey Magee. Jeffrey was three when his parents had an accident. He was in Bridgeport and got moved to Hollidaysburg where his aunt and uncle lived. His aunt and uncle hated each other very much, but since they were strict Catholics they wouldn’t get a divorce. One day Jeffrey had a school play and he couldn’t take it anymore, so he ran away. Jeffrey ran to an unusual town called TwoMills. While he was running, he met many people, and well you have to read the book to find out what the rest of the story is about.

I’ll tell you my favourite part, but you might have a different favourite part when you read it. Mine was when Jeffrey untied the cobbler’s knot. This was my favourite part because I was so interested in what was going to happen next. Then finally he untied the knot, in about five or six hours. I was also surprised because he was the only person to ever successfully untie the knot. This book is also realistic fiction because anyone could feel like running away because they don’t like what’s happening in their house.

I really liked this book because I never knew what was going to happen next. Also, I felt as if I was the main character. This is because when I closed my eyes, I felt as if I was there, as the main character, in the moment.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventurous books. Also, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books where you get to think of what’s going to happen next because Jerry Spinnelli leaves you to sometimes think of what’s going to happen next. Even if you’re not someone who likes adventurous books, or books where you get to think of what’s going to happen next, you could still give it a try, because this is an AMAZING book!!!!!!!!!!

Review: The Watsons Go to Birmingham ~ 1963

Reviewed by: Evil Myster #17, Grade 5.
” I am a a soccer player and I play for 2 hours a week. I love playing soccer and other sports.”

Title: The Watsons Go to Birmingham ~ 1963
Author: Chirstopher Paul Curtis
Ages: 9-16
Favorite Character: Byron and Kenny

When you read this book you will want to jump from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama before the Watsons do, and you might want to be careful not to get hurt on the way. This book was about a family, who have many adventurous accidents. My favourite part of this book was when Kenny almost got sucked into a whirlpool. This was my favourite part of the book because this event seemed really interesting. Kenny and Byron are the main characters, one accident that happens to Byron is that momma almost burns Byron alive! This book was realistic fiction because this book is based on a true story. I loved this book, some parts made me laugh like when Byron’s lip got stuck to the cold, icy mirror. It also made me feel for the characterS like when the church got bombed and Joetta almost died in there. I felt like I was actually in the story witnessing each event. I recommend this book to grades 5 and up who understand civil rights and racism. Trust me, reader, you will love this book.

Review: Jakeman

Reviewed by: Skater #1, Grade 5.
“I am a competitive figure skater and I skate 10 times a week. I am a tired girl. Hope you enjoy the reviews.”

Title: Jakeman
Author: Deborah Ellis
Ages: 7-13
Favorite Character: Shoshona

Have you ever been in a situation where you had no mother or father? Well, Jake and Shoshona were in that kind of situation. They both lived with foster parents but they never liked them. One day they went through a crazy, rollercoaster adventure on a regular school bus. All the kids on the bus had to overcome tons of challenges. Through their long adventure they started to grow and change their feelings. There lives changed and they became new people.

The two main characters are Jake and Shoshona. Jake is very determind, imaginative, and creative. He has always dreamed of becoming a comic book artist. He practices and he becomes perfect. During the adventure he changed. He became more couragous and confident. Shoshona is Jake’s older sister. She is a bit bossy to Jake but still very kind. She is the most loving of the group. She’s always taking care of others like when she cleaned up everybody’s barf on the bus. She has always dreamed of becoming an opera singer. She always practices and hopes to be a professional. Shoshona became more emotional and she started to realize all the things that were happening more clearly.

“Finally, he heard it. The slap-slap noise of flip-flops on the concrete floor. The prisoners were coming.” This was my favourite part of the book because the suspense was incredible! Once I read that part, I really wanted to keep on reading. This book gets emotional at times but it also gets super interesting. This is such an adventurous book. I think kids 7-13 would enjoy the book “Jakeman” because they could relate to many parts. That’s why the book “Jakeman” is so fantastic!!!