Freak the Mighty

by Rodman Philbrick
****
FIC PHI

Maxwell Kane is thought of as stupid, freakishly large for his thirteen years, and the son of a killer. He has no friends, preferring to spend his life in his dark basement room, avoiding other kids, who think he is a bully. Then he meets Freak, an enormously smart kid with a birth defect that reduces him to the size of a toddler. After a close encounter with Tony D., the local juvenile delinquent, Freak and Max realize that together they can be unstoppable. Together they can be Freak the Mighty, and go on adventures, slaying dragons and rescuing people. But what happens when Freak's heart gets too big for his body? Will Max be able to go on?

I really liked that Freak helped Max learn that he had his own brain, and that he could live down his dad's reputation. I thought that it was really sad that Freak died, but I thought that it was really nice how brave he was, even though he knew that he would die young. I also enjoyed how Freak had tons of imagination, and how he combined fantasy with science to have one of a kind adventures with Max.

Reviewed by M. P., (8th gr.)

Warriors series

by Erin Hunter
FIC HUN

Into the Wild (Book 1)

*****
At the start, we find a young house cat named Rusty. He wants to go out into the forest to explore, but then he meets a group of Thunderclan cats (Lionheart, Graypaw and Bluestar). They tell Rusty of a life in the forest with lots of other cats, and he wants to check it out. So the next morning, Rusty goes out to explore the life of the clan cats. I really like the action and suspense. The book sucks you in and makes you feel like you are a warrior cat.
-- Reviewed by K. S. (6th gr.)

***** Serious and silly too. -- Reviewed by K. S. (3rd gr.)

Fire and Ice (Book 2)

*****

At the start young Fireheart and Graystripe (former apprentice names, Firepaw and Graypaw) find themselves driving WindClan back into their territory. Cinderpaw gets seriously injured, and Yellowfang does everything she can to help. Princess gives one of her own kits so Fireheart can have a apprentice as Cinderpaw cannot become a warrior now.

-- reviewed by K. S. (3rd gr.)

Evil Genius

by Catherine Jinks
***
FIC JIN (Teen section)

This book is about a boy named Cadel who is a genius and is invited to go to a criminal college known as Axis Institute. I did not really enjoy this book because: (1) it is a mystery story, and (2) it is dificult to follow.

Reviewed by A.S. (7th gr.)

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period

by Gennifer Choldenko
FIC CHO (Teen section)

Kirsten's life is falling apart. Her parents aren't speaking, her best friend has ditched her, and her only ally is her geeky sister. Walker is trying to fit in at the predominantly white middle school his mom forced him to attend, so he wouldn't "screw up" like his cousin. But when Kirsten's and Walker's lives collide after an incident with the school's queen bee, Brianna, and being paired for a school project, they discover something that can change the way Brianna is seen-- and help repair Kirsten's reputation.

Reviewed by K. M., 6th gr.