Long Shadows

By Erin Hunter
*****

ShadowClan has lost all faith in StarClan and it's up to Jaypaw, Lionblaze and Hollyleaf to restore their faith. If you like adventure and cats, this is your type of book!!!! It is the last book in Power of Three. The next series is called Omen of the Stars and it focuses on Dovekit when she has a strange dream. - K.S. (5th gr.) 1/28/10

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.)

Paint the Wind

by Pam Munoz Ryan
FIC RYA

Maya's parents have died and she lives with her strict grandmother. She knows nothing about her mom except that she loved horses. When grandmother dies, Maya moves in with her mom's relatives. At first she's very obnoxious but becomes kind as she learns to ride horses. One day when an earthquake strikes Maya falls and hurts her leg miles from home. Her own hope is Artemisia, a wild mare her mom tamed. Will they make it back alive?

I thought this book was really well written and full of adventure.

Reviewed by R. M. (6th gr.)

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