The Schwa Effect

by Neal Shusterman

****

FIC SHU, Teen section

Calvin Schwa seems to be invisible. People forget about him the minute he's no longer standing next to them. His friend Antsy calls it the Schwa Effect and hatches a moneymaking scheme based on Calvin's "talent." That is until they get caught by the neighborhood's legendary mean guy, Mr. Crawley, who forces them to walk his 14 dogs as punishment. Later Antsy and and Lexie, Crawley's blind granddaughter, try to figure out what happened to Calvin's missing mother. Will Calvin's greatest fear come true? Will he disappear completely like his mother?

I love Shusterman's books. They're exciting, fast-paced, unique. Other books that we have by him that I enjoyed are Everlost and Downsiders. The Schwa Effect is one of the California Young Reader Medal nominated titles for middle school students.

Little Secrets #1: Playing with Fire

by Emily Blake
*****

This book is about a girl who has a "famous" mother. When her mother gets taken away to jail, she doesn't know what to do. Thank godness she has her best friend, cousin and boyfriend to help straighten out this mess. They'll help her...right? The best part of this book is when in the very end she finds out that the house is on fire.
H.B. (6th gr.) 2007

Alex Rider: Skeleton Key

by Anthony Horowitz

*****

FIC HOR, Teen section

After fighting a Chinese gang at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, Alex Rider, the 14 year old teenage spy for MI6 (British military intellegence), has to go into hiding in Skeleton Key (an island near Cuba), supposedly just as part of 2 American CIA agent's cover. Then he finds out why they're there. They are looking for a nuclear bomb. I liked this book because it really showed how Alex feels about being a spy.

R.G. (5th gr.) 2007

Wolf Trails

by Nik Sawe
****
FIC SAW

This book is about a wolf pack that escapes from a laboratory that tests medicine on them, often killing them. Soon after they leave, they meet a dog (the wolves call dogs Teyens) called Salyr, who helps them. But the humans start a wolf hunt so the pack must escape from the humans. I really liked the book because: 1) I LOVE WOLVES!!!, 2) It was exciting!. It was sad, but I still really liked it.
K.S. (5th gr.) 2006

The Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan

*****

FIC RIO, Teen section

Percy Jackson seem to be a normal 6th grade student with ADHD until he finds out that he is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. When he goes to a camp and then on a quest to the Underworld to return his father's trident, he finds a greater evil rising to power. This book is super awesome in a way that is barely describeable!!! It is a cool mix of modern and fantasy, the plot is awesome, and so are the characters!!! This narrative has a style of writing that is undescribeble, but is very good. READ THIS BOOK!!!

A.S. (6th gr.) 2006

Alex Rider: Stormbreaker

by Anthony Horowitz

****

FIC HOR

Alex Rider becomes suspicious when his only living relative (his uncle) dies and Alex finds out his uncle was a spy. Then the M16 (basically Britain's CIA) abducts him and Alex has to figure out what is lethal about the new computers called the Stormbreakers. I liked the book because it's like a mini James Bond story without the mushy stuff.

Alex Rider: Eagle Strike

by Anthony Horowitz

*****

FIC HOR, Teen section

Alex Rider is a teenage spy. This is just one of his adventures. This time, he has to save the world from being destroyed by missiles. What I liked best about the book was the action and adventure.

M. Y. (8th gr.) 2005

White Fang

by Jonathan London
*****
FIC LON

This book is a very powerful moving story about a young wolf destined to find his way in life. The wolf's name is White Fang. He is part wolf and part dog. I liked the part when the boy and the wolf really bond and connect to each other. I think it is a very sad and moving book that changed the way I think about dogs.
M & J (7th grade), 2004

Holes

by Louis Sachar
*****
FIC SAC

Holes is about a boy named Stanley and his family is very poor. They can not send him to any camps. His father is trying to find a way to make shoes not smell. There was these shoes that fell from the sky and he took them home to his father. The shoes were from a famous athlete. Then Stanley decided to go to the camp because he thought it would be fun. But at the camp you had to dig holes everyday and he only had 2 pairs of clothing. The dinner was very bad also. And it never rained because of Stanley's great great pig stealing grandfather. I liked the book because it was exciting and I could never put the book down. Stanley the 5th is only one of the Stanley's in his family. If you noticed Stanley is yelnats spelled backwards. You should read the book.
S.S. (6th grade), 2004

A Week in the Woods

by Andrew Clements

****

FIC CLE

Mark is a rich kid who just moved to the country. Mark's class is about to go on a week long camping trip. His teacher Mr. Maxwell doesn't like Mark, and Mark doesn't really like him either. Mark doesn't want to but he goes on the trip. When Mark gets in trouble and is about to be sent back home, he runs to the forest where there are bears and other dangers. Mr. Maxwell goes in after him!

K.A. (5th grade), 2004

Stranded

by Ben Mikaelsen
****
FIC MIK

Koby is a girl who lives on a sailboat in Florida. She loves to be out on the ocean in her dinghy. While out on the ocean, she meets whales. She helps them, and they become friends. But a couple days later, she finds them stranded on a sandbar. She decides to stay with them, but she is very scared. Will the whales make it? I liked Koby- she is similar to me, in that she is stubborn and she likes animals. I also like Mikaelsen's style of writing.
K.H. (6th grade), 2004

The Eyes of the Dragon

by Stephen King
*****

It tells about two princes, an evil magician and a quest to save the kingdom. Flagg, the evil royal advisor/magician, murders the king, imprisons the prince who knows how to lead the kingdom, and makes the other one the king. What I liked about the book was how adventurous it was. And for those of you who like a little (or big) scare and adventure, this is the book for you. Remember...I DON'T THINK IT'S IN THE LIBRARY!!! And have a good time reading.
R.R. (5th gr.) 2007

Warriors series

by Erin Hunter

FIC HUN

Book 1: Into the Wild

*****

A cat...a house cat keeps dreaming about chasing a mouse and then something happening. One day his dream comes true and he meets a free cat callled Lionheart. Our main character ends up becoming part of a clan and sets off on an adventure. I liked the adventure and setting of the forest and how they described things.

R.R. (5th gr.) 2007

Book 6: The Darkest Hour

*****

This story is about Firestar (formerly known as Rusty the housecat, Firepaw, and Fireheart in earlier books in this series), the young leader of ThunderClan. (There are four clans in the forest, and they are all made of cats.) He and his clan must fight to save the forest from a vicious new clan, BloodClan. Can they save their beloved forest? I loved this book because of Erin Hunter's style of making things exciting. It was fun to try and figure out how the story would end. Erin's writing style makes the story flow. She also thinks up interesting characters, such as Tigerstar, the clan leader of ShadowClan. You really should read this book.

M.P. (6th gr.) 2006

Harry Potter

by J.K Rowling
FIC ROW

Book 1: HP and the Sorcerer's Stone
*****
This book is about a boy who finds out that he is a wizard. But when he goes to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a 7-year-long adventure starts. An evil wizard named Voldemort tries to kill Harry for the sorcerer's stone so he can have eternal life and not have to use the back of Professor Quirrel's head.

Book 2: HP and the Chamber of Secrets
*****
Harry gets visited by a house elf named Dobby, who tries to tell him bad things are going to happen, so he should not go back to Hogwarts. Of course, he does not listen and goes back to school.

Book 3: HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban
*****
Harry finds out Sirius Black is his godfather. He gets into trouble with dementors and goes back in time 50 years before.

Book 4: HP and the Goblet of Fire
*****
Harry Potter is a fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry battles lots of ferocious monsters, including Lord Voldemort. The great Twizard Tournament is being held at Hogwarts, and the Goblet of Fire will decide 1 winner from each of three schools; Durmstrang, Hogwarts, and a Bulgarian school. When Harry gets entered into the Tournament, everybody gets suspicious.

Book 5: HP and the Half-Blood Prince
****
Harry gets a second-hand book from the school that was owned by the Half-blood Prince, and Harry wants to find out what who he is. What Iliked best was the good adventures in finding out stuff.

T.S. (5th grade)

Silverwing and Sunwing

by Kenneth Oppel

***

FIC OPP

This story is about a young bat named Shade who is on his first migration. On the way, he gets separated from his colony in a storm. Soon Shade finds out that he is far away from his colony. There is only one other bat on the island, and her name is Merina. Together they try to find Shade's colony.

L.G. (6th grade), 2004

Sunwing

****

FIC OPP

The story is a sequel to Silverwing. It is about a small bat, named Shade, who gets himself and his friends into a lot of trouble. Trouble that almost kills him. It is very exciting. I think Kenneth Oppel is a very good writer.

B.K. (6th gr.) 2006

Gregor the Overlander

by Suzanne Collins

*****

FIC COL

It's about a boy who goes after his little sister Boots down a chute. He finds himself in a word under New York. I like it because it is a book for both girls and boys. It is full of great writing from start to finsh. Good for teens and pre-teens.

K.R. (6th gr.) 2006

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

*****

FIC DIC

It's about a china rabbit named Edward and how Edward goes from being a spoiled toy to rock bottom. This book is good because it as a real page turner and it has a great structure.

J.T. (6th gr.) 2006

The City of Ember

by Jeanne DuPrau

****

FIC DUP, Teen section

The city of Ember is a city that never receives sunlight. The artificial light is about to go out. And it's up to Lina and Doon to lead the people of Ember to light. The author writes with a sense of humor and a serious plot. This is a good book for people that like adventure.

T.Z. & M.P. (6th grade), 2004

The Lost Years of Merlin series

by T.A. Barron

FIC BAR, Teen section

Book 1

****

Merlin (then known as Emerys) washes up on a shore with a woman who claims she's not his mother. Emerys soon figures out he has powers when he gets mad at a boy who calls him "demon's son." Emerys gets mad (who wouldn't!) and thinks "Burn. Burn to hell." The tree in back of the boy suddenly catches on fire, and the kid gets stuck under the tree. Emerys tries to save him in vain, also blinding himself. Then Emerys sets out on a journey to Fincayra, meeting Rhia, Cwen, and many other creatures and humans. I liked best that there was always action, and there were many characters. Emerys always seemed to be moving, and that kept the story going. I was happy when I found out there were four more in the series. There are more and more characters, like the great Dagda, whso can transform into a stag, and the evil Rhita Gawr, who can transform into a boar, Trouble, a hawk, Stangmar, the evil king of Fincayra, and Shim, the short and big-nosed giant.

E.K. (5th grade), 2004

Book 3: The Mirror of Merlin

****

Merlin is forced to fight the evil Nimue, who has prisoned the Marsh Ghouls. He also must travel to the future to see what happens and save his best friend. This is indeed very interesting and suspenseful. It will hook you on to reading it.

S.N. (8th gr.) 2005

Airborn

by Kenneth Oppel

*****

FIC OPP, Teen section

The story is about a boy named Matt Cruise, and he's the cabin's boy on an airship called the Aurora. The Aurora carries passengers across the ocean. He loves being in the air, and it feels like home to him. One day, they find a falling hot air balloon with a dying man aboard. The man's last words are of seeing amazing creatures on his journey. Matt doesn't believe him, because people see things like this that are really mirages. A year later, one of the passengers on the Aurora is the man's granddaughter, Kate. She shows him her grandfather's journal, and it has notes about the creatures. Matt begins to believe that they really could be real. The ship is later attacked by sky pirates, and the Aurora lands on an island. On the island, Matt and Kate begin to discover clues about the mysterious animals. I liked this book because it was very exciting. It was also very interesting and the characters were believable. The whole idea just fascinated me. I definitely recommend this book.

M. A. (8th gr.) 2005

Faerie Wars

by Herbie Brennan

*****

FIC BRE, Teen section

The Faeries of Night and the Faeries of Light may soon begin a civil war. Pyrgus, son of the Purple Emperor, is warped to the human world, where Mr. Fogarty and Henry find him. They embark on an adventure like no other, spanning the human world, the realm of Faerie, and even the demon world. I liked this book because the characters are realistic. The author reveals what you need to know as it becomes needed, not all at once. I also like the author's tendency to make you expect one thing, then do something completely different.

A.N. (7th grade), 2005

The Tiger's Apprentice, book #1

by Laurence Yep

*****

FIC YEP

This book is about a boy named Tom whose grandmom has been killed by an ancient evil. Tom, a tiger (Mr. Hu), a dragon (Mistral), and a mischief-making ape are out to save the world and themselves. I liked the book because I like action and learning only if it's fun.

A. H. (5th grade), 2005

Trickster's Choice

by Tamora Pierce
*****
FIC PIE, Teen section

This book is about a girl who gets kidnapped and is sold into slavery. She becomes a spymaster for a big conspiracy that plans to put a new queen on the throne. I liked this book because it is very exciting and believable, and the character of Ally is very interesting and she sounds hot.
A. G. (7th grade), 2005

Dragon Rider

by Cornelia Funke

*****

FIC FUN

This is about some dragons that are mistreated by humans. So the only peaceful place is the rim of heaven, the place were the sky touches the earth. They go to a human city to find a map maker. They find a boy and he helps them. What I liked best was when the humans were gone.

M.C. (3rd grade), 2005

The Series of Unfortunate Events #1: The Bad Beginning

by Lemony Snickett
*****
FIC SNI, Series section

This story is about the Baudelaire children. Their parents died in a terrible fire and left behind a humongous fortune and Count Olaf is trying steal it by dressing in disguises. The Baudelaire children go through very hard times and some very adventurous times trying to escape from Count Olaf's clutches. What I liked best was that Violet was very smart with her inventions, Klaus was so cool with his research and reading books, and Sunny was amazing with her teeth and her abilities to do things no other baby could do.
S. J. (5th grade), 2005

Freddy in Peril

by Deitlof Reiche

****

FIC REI

It's about a hamster named Freddy. Freddy is no ordinary haster; he can read and write! His owner and the owner's pets know that. So does Professor Fliechkopf. (That means meat head, which is a insult, in German). It's very fun because it's from Freddy's point of view and he is funny.

H.Z. (5th grade), 2004

Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism

by Georgia Byng

***

FIC BYN

This book is about a girl named Molly Moon who finds a book about hypnotism and tries it out. This girl gets into lots of trouble from getting a dog kidnapped to stealing from banks. I like this book because it is fun and exciting. This book is also a little bit scary but that's what makes this book so cool. When you read this book you will find yourself reading it all night as if you were hypnotised.

E.C. (5th grade), 2004

The Amulet of Samarkand

by Jonathan Stroud
*****
FIC STR, Teen section

The Amulet of Samarkand is the first in the Bartimaeus trilogy. It's about a boy named Nathaniel who is a magician's apprentice learning magic and Bartimeaus who is a spirit type thing. Nathaniel is controlling him to get revenge on Simon Lovelace. They get in lots of trouble. The story takes turns between what Nathaniel is doing and Bartimaeus telling the story. It's exciting because right when Bartimaeus, for example, is doing something exciting it goes over to Nathaniel. Pretty much the whole story is like this. I would definitely recommend this book!!!!
H.Z. (5th grade), 2004

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini

*****

FIC PAO, Teen section

Eragon is a boy who doesn't know who his father and mother are. He finds a "stone" and takes it home. The "stone" turns out to be a dragon egg. Eragon and his dragon go on a BIG adventure and do all kinds of things like fight Urgles. This is the first book and there will be a second. It's exciting because you always find out new things. I never wanted to put it down. You never get bored and always think "what's gonna happen next?!?!" I recommend it!!!

H.Z. (5th grade), 2004

The Hermit Thrush Sings

by Susan Butler

*****

FIC BUT, Teen section

This story is about a girl whose left hand is webbed, and that hand is magical, because that hand can tell her which way to go and when to draw. Her drawings are magical and can tell the future. So, when she goes to look for her long-lost sister who was said to be killed by birmbas (mutated animals that are half bear, half gorilla), she discovers something she didn't have before. I liked this book, because the author really engages the feeling of the main character, and concludes with a great ending.

W.S. (6th grade), 2004

The Silmarillion

by J.R.R. Tolkein
*****

The Silmarillian is Tolkien's first and last book. The Lord of the Rings is told from the begining to the end. All of Middle Earth is shown from a new perspective. The thing I liked best about the book was all the new things that are told about Middle Earth in this book.
Jonathan T. (7th grade), 2004

Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer
****
FIC COL, Teen section

Artemis Fowl is a very smart boy. One day he decides that he wants to capture a fairy and steal its gold. But it isn't going to be as easy to get away with as Artemis thinks. I liked this book because of the adventure. I liked hearing about the advanced fairy technology and Artemis' brilliant ideas.
M.R. (7th grade), 2004

The Secret of Platform 13

by Eva Ibbotson

*****

FIC IBB

The baby prince has been KIDNAPPED by a greedy woman named Mrs. Trottle and a wizard, a fay, an invisible troll, and a little girl are out to save him. But can they go around in London unseen? This book is full of adventure and laughs.

Katya A. (5th grade), 2004

Homeless Bird

by Gloria Whelan

*****

FIC WHE

Koly is a girl living in a village and she is thirteen. She gets married to a sickly man and soon she becomes a widow. Her life is practically ruined, but will she get through the hard times? This book is good because it tells you a lot about getting over hard things and starting new. It also tells about persistence.

M.W. (6th gr.) 2006

To the Edge of the World

by Michelle Torrey
****
FIC TOR

A Spaniard Mateo Macias de Avila's parents die from pestilence (bubonic plague). All he has left is a dog named Ugly. He is a good guitar player and artist. He decides to go to a lodge, where the owner reluctantly lets him play the guitar for money. Then, of all possibilities, a man asks Mateo if he want to sail for about two years with Fernando de Magellenas to sail for the Spice Islands. Mateo has many unexpected advetures on board. What I liked best was that many people talk wars and kill easily. This book is bound to change your mind. This is a very intense book. If you are very emotional, I suggest you not read this book. It is very bloody.
E.K. (5th grade), 2004

The Pushcart War

by Jean Merrill
****
FIC MER

Two sides are against each other in what seems like a never ending war. The two sides are the pushcarts and the giant trucks. The trucks, owned by "The Three": Mammoth Moe (Big Moe), Louie Livergreen, and Walter "The Tiger" Sweet. The war begins when a pushcart driver, Morris the Florist, gets his pushcart run over by Albert P. Mack (Mack). All the people with pushcarts meet together and come up with a plan that will (hopefully) get the trucks off the streets of New York City forever. And that plan could get them a free ticket into jail for flattening the trucks' tires. The plan just might work, but things don't go as expected. What I liked best is that the author, Jean Merrill, created this book in an interesting way so that it seems like the Pushcart War really happened. This book is set in New York City, where truck population is sky-rocketing. They're crowding up the streets of New York City. The trucks are causing immense traffic jams all over the city. Cars and taxis can't get around the way they used to.
E.K. (5th grade), 2004

The King of Shadows

by Susan Cooper

***

FIC COO

This book is about a boy named Nat who goes back in time to when the Globe Theater just opened, but he also has to play Puck in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream! He also must get used to the ways of life because of all the technology that was once in front of him and now is gone. The best part about this book is he really realizes he is really back in time and not in a dream, after seeing a fight where dogs try to kill a blind, raging grizzly bear.

R.L. (6th grade), 2004

The Witches

by Roald Dahl

****

FIC DAH

When witches are out to kill children only one kid can save them! Read this book and find out what happens. It was just good!

K.H. & J.W. (5th gr.) 2006

The Twits

by Roald Dahl
****
FIC DAH

This book is about 2 people who play endless tricks on each other. It was very funny! You should really read this book!
K.H. & J.W. (5th gr.) 2006

Are you there God, it's me Margaret

by Judy Blume
****
FIC BLU, Teen section

This book is about a 11 (almost 12) year old girl named Margaret. She is starting over at a new house and going to a new school. After making some new friends at her school, they make up a club. And she meets new adventures on the way. I like this book because it's funny and entertaining.
H.B. (6th gr.) 2006

Fractured Fairy Tales

by A.J. Jacobs
****
FIC JAC, Teen section

It's a lot of fairy tales that are different in a funny way from the real way. There are Seven Chickens, Witches Broom, and more. It is really funny because the author has a funny way of writing and the characters are funny.
Hana Z.(5th grade), 2004

Amelia Rules

by Jimmy Gownley
*****
741.5 GOW

This is a comic book. It's about a girl named Amelia whose parents are divorced. Her friends are Pajamaman, Reggie and her enemy is Rhonda. Amelia does all kinds of things. It's funny because Amelia has a big sense of humor. You get to hear her thoughts about stuff. You get to see all her life. Even Halloween.
H.Z. (5th grade), 2004

The Phantom Tollbooth

by Norman Juster

*****

FIC JUS

This book is about a boy named Milo who never knows what to do and one day he gets a present that is a tollbooth. With the tollbooth he goes to a country called Dictionapolis. The king of Dictionapolis' worst enemy is his brother, the king of Digitopolis. Milo finds out that the two kings will only be friends if the princesses Rhyme and Reason come back from the prison they are in. So Milo and his 2 friends, the Humbug and a dog named Tock, set off to bring Rhyme and Reason back. What I liked best about the book was that the characters were very funny and said weird and funny things.

N. M. (1st grade) & Y. M. (5th grade), 2004

Vampire High

by Douglas Rees

****

FIC REE, Teen section

Cody Elliot is in high school and is getting bad grades so his dad signs him up for another school. Then things start to get weird... What I liked best is Douglas Rees's writing style. It is funny and cool.

S.N. (6th grade), 2004

Sammy Keyes and the Psycho Kitty Queen

by Wendelin Van Draanen

*****

FIC VAN

This book is about a girl named Sammy Keyes who lives with her grandmother. In every book in the Sammy Keyes series, Sammy comes across a mystery almost aways entangled with a life and death situation. What I liked best about the author is that she always includes humor in the most outrageous and tense plases in her books. A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!

W.S. (7th gr.) 2005

Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary

by Wendelin Van Draanen
*****
FIC VAN

It's about Sammy Keyes' figuring out who burned down a old cabin and why it was burned down by that person. I liked this book, because it was very funny and it was like, you kept on reading, then you stopped and saw that you had read half of the book!
Y.M. (5th grade), 2004

The Mysterious Matter of I.M. Fine

by Diane Stanley

****

FIC STA

It's about a boy and girl (NOT girlfriend, boyfriend); I forget their names. There is a book by I.M. Fine and everyone who reads it has odd things happen to them, like being obsessed with jelly worms, headaches, and more! What I liked best about this book was that it was really exciting.

H.Z. (5th grade), 2004

Mysteries in our National Parks: Cliffhanger

by Gloria Skurzynski
FIC SKU, Series section

Jack and Ashley Landon's mother has to go to Mesa Verde to help with a mountain lion problem, but right before they leave they get a foster child. She is very mysterious and Ashley is suspicious, but Jacks wants to believe whatever she tells them. Who does this mysterious girl call at night and what does she know? Is there more to fear than a mountain lion? This book is full of adventure and suspense. I liked it a lot.
T.S., 6th grade

The Boyfriend Trick

by Stephie Davis
*****

This book is about a girl who loves this boy and she becomes good frends with him. He told her that he had a girlfriend. So she said said......Dun Dun Dun. You'll find out.
M.D. (6th gr.) 2007

Beacon Street Girls #1: Best Friends, Worst Enemies

by Annie Bryant

***

FIC BRY, Series section

It's about girls who are very popular. A new girl comes and she is a klutz. She is totally trying to survive a new middle school. She finally makes friends with Maeve, Katani, Avery, and herself. They become Bff's and they find a tower and it belongs to another person and they all go in there all the time and then... What I liked best was that it was happy and very funny. You'll SO like it cause if you love boys like me then, there's a lot of boy talk!! READ IT!!

M.D. (6th gr.) 2007

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom

by Louis Sachar

*****

FIC SAC

Bradley is having some trouble. No one likes him... and he's not even new! He's angry at his counselor just for being his counselor. And he's only not angry at his hard animals. Carla, his counsoler, still thinks he can change. Can he? I liked this book because it tells about Bradley's feelings and really makes you understand him.

R.R. (5th gr.) 2007

The Last Siege

by Jonathan Stroud

****

FIC STR, Teen section

Emily is going out to sled, but the only place to sled is the old castle that is closed. And when she accidently sleds into the area that is closed off, she sets off on an amazing adventure. She meets a person named Simon and a person named Marcus with a wacked out idea of going INTO the castle! Will Emily help Marcus with his crazy idea without getting into trouble? What I liked best about the book was how descriptive it was and how he described the characters.

C.F. (5th gr.) 2007

Flush

by Carl Hiassen

****

FIC HIA, Teen section

Noah's father is in jail, and he and his sister Abbey are willing to do anything to get him out, including trying to prove that a local citizen is dumping sewage from his casino boat into the Florida Keys near their hometown. Together they team up with others to try to get this man to confess. I loved the way the author described the characters, as well as the unusual plot and disgusting events. Great for a laugh!

K.M. (5th gr.) 2006

Code Orange

by Caroline Cooney
****
FIC COO, Teen section

It is about a boy who finds smallpox scabs from an epidemic. He inhales scabs that may contain a deadly virus. Now it is a matter of life and death while trying not to spread the disease and avoid bioterrorists. I liked it because it is exciting and fast moving with lots of cliff hangers.

Q.W. (6th gr.) 2006

Alice Alone

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

****

FIC NAY, Teen section

This story is about a 14 year old girl who is starting high school and having a party. I loved this book because it is helping me with things!!!!

M.D. (6th gr.) 2006

Just as Long as We're Together

by Judy Blume
*****
FIC BLU

This book was great. Stephanie is in a crisis. Find out if she can get out of the crisis. Will she get her friendship back? This book has a sequel, Here's to you Rachel Robinson. I liked the book because Stephanie has a great life and she totally teaches you about life.......for girls.
J.K. (6th gr.) 2006

The Girls

by Amy Goldman Koss

****

FIC KOS, Teen section

In this book there are 4 good friends. Candace, the queen bee, loves meeting new girls and inviting them into her group. So when she meets Maya who just moved from a dangerous area, she is suddenly interested in her. All five of them become the best of friends...but with every friendship there has to be some teenage drama. I liked how the author described the feeling of the different girls. The way this story is written it's as if each girl is putting in her own diary entry. This book was a very good fast read that I would recommend to middle school girls.

Z.S. (7th gr.) 2006

The Pigman

by Paul Zindel

*****

FIC ZIN, Teen section

This book is about two high school students (John and Lorraine) who are best friends and like to prank call random people. One day, they call a friendly but lonely old man who thinks they are from an organization. The three soon become close friends and have great adventures. I liked this book a lot because it was realistic, had a wonderful plot, and a great hook to it. I also loved the fact that John and Lorraine switched off telling the chapters from their point of view.
S.N. (8th gr.) 2006

The Crying Rocks

by Janet Taylor Lisle

****

FIC LIS, Teen section

Joelle is tall and has dark skin. It is no secret that she is adopted; but where is she really from? What happpend in her childhood that is so mysterious? I really liked this book because Joelle is a very descriptive character and is very realistic. This book is filled with adventures and suspense. It is very mysterious and keeps you reading till the end.

E.C. (8th gr.) 2005

The Revealers

by Doug Wilhelm
***

This story is about kids who try to put an end to bullying at their school by using the network. What I liked best about it was that it was very realistic.
T.S. (7th gr.) 2005

The Gospel According to Larry

by Janet Tashjian

*****

FIC TAS, Teen section

It is about a boy who pretends to be an unknown person and is trying to convince people to go against celebrities and ad agencies while also going for human rights and equal rights for people in Asia and other deprived people of the world. Once identified he must avoid the media swarming him anywhere he goes. I liked how it was controversial and goes against what America views every day.

R.L. (7th grade), 2005

Swear to Howdy

by Wendelin Van Draanen

****

FIC VAN

It's about 2 boys, Jeremy and Rusty, who have lots of fun games. Jeremy is always saying "I swear to howdy if you tell..." and Rusty always says "I won't, I won't." And then they are just doing a joke when something happens. It's really funny because Rusty and Jeremy are always doing funny things. I recommend this book.

H.Z. (5th grade), 2004

The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes #1: Every Cloud has a Silver Lining

by Anne Mazer
*****
FIC MAZ, Series section

This is the first book in the series The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes. It's about a girl named Abby and her friends, Jessica and Natalie. She wants to become a great soccer player without letting her family know, but she has to have her parents sign a permission slip. I won't tell you what happens. It's really funny because Abby has all sorts of obstacles. You also get to see what she writes in her journal. Abby has a funny attitude. Y ou also get to read her thoughts in some quotes from calenders in her journal.
H.Z. (5th grade), 2004

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo
****
FIC DIC

It's about a girl named Opal and she meets Otis, Gloria and Sweetie Pie and the Dunlap boys. Opal has a dog named Winn Dixie and he gets loose in the house of Gloria Dump. Will they find Winn Dixie? I liked Winn Dixie because he is a highly good fiction dog!
C. S. (5th grade), 2004

Guy Time

by Sarah Weeks
****
FIC WEE

This book is about a boy who has to move and he doesn't want to. His mom is getting divorced and he is having strange feelings. His mom is trying to act cool. For a thirteen year old he has many emotions. I liked reading about all the different things he is going through.
J.L. (7th grade), 2004

Stargirl

by Jerry Spinelli
****
FIC SPI

A girl comes to a school where there is no diversity. She is wacky and different from everyone else. At first everyone was curious about Stargirl, then they loved her, then they hated her. In her attempt to become popular, Leo, the main character, realizes that it's ok to be different. What I liked best was that it was very intelligently written. It was like the whole book was a poem, but it wasn't. It was sort of sad but not really. Overall I really liked it. It was very unique style.
Simone L. (5th grade), 2004

A Face First

by Priscilla Cummings

****
FIC CUM, Teen section

This is a book about a girl, Kelley Brennan, whose life takes a swerve when a car crash happens. She and her mother are coming back from school and work. Kelley sees her mother trying to cross a red light and Kelley yells for her to stop, but they crash with a lumber truck. She remembers rolling under the dashboard... the engine exploding... the car catching on fire... and ending up at the hospital. Some of her body has a third degree burn, the rest has a second degree burn. The nurses and doctors have to give her skin grafts, Jobsts (kind of like a cast, but to prevent swelling) on her hand and leg. She feels like dying rather than going through so much pain. The book was really sad, so I do not recommend this book to people who do not like very realistic sadness.

Elliot K. (5th grade), 2004

Uglies

by Scott Westerfeld

*****
FIC WES, Teen section

Tally is looking forward to her operation. She lives in a world where everyone is ugly until their sixteeth birthday, when they are turned pretty. But Tally can't turn pretty until she finds her friend who has run away and brings her back. I loved this book because it is full of adventure and is very interesting, because it is set in the future. The author is a really good writer and the characters are very realistic.

K.H. (8th gr.) 2006