Book+Reviews

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If you know of a great book that you would like to let other students know about, write a review, and I'll post it as well. =====

In this amazing story called __The White Giraffe__, by Laurent St. John, a girl named Martine goes on an incredible journey after moving to South Africa. Her parents had died in a fire in England. In this action packed adventure, Martine is destined to be with the white giraffe. She finds her true gift with the white giraffes in their night adventures. She also makes a new friend who helps her in a time of trouble. I really enjoyed this book because it took me to a far away place. This book gave me enough details. I also liked the adventures that Martine would go on at night. There is a lot of excitement and cliff hangers. I would recommend this book to all those who like an edge of the seat book and who like to travel around the world through books. - Samela F.

When I read __Wayside School is Falling Down__, by Louis Sachar, my mind was flowing all over, thinking about the funny stories in this book. A bunch of wacky kids and some strange teachers go throughout the whole book. One story was about a teacher who hates kids, but loves apples. Another story is about pencils. I think __Wayside School is Falling Down__ is a great and funny book. If you like funny and strange added together, you would like this book. - Jade M.

If you love sports and Michael Jordan, and you want to learn about his days before he joined the NBA, the book __On The Court With Michael Jordan__, by Matt Christopher, is for you. The book takes place in his school, at his house, in his school gym, and on the court, of course. This book is amazing if you want to learn about the greatest person who ever set foot on the court. Michael Jordan was the greatest player ever to play. He is the best and always will be the best, but don't take my word for it. Just read the book and you'll see. I give this book 5 stars! - Nigel M.

In the book __The Sea of Monsters__, by Rick Riordan, a city boy named Percy Jackson finds out lots of things he didn't know about himself. One of them is that he is a son of a Greek god, Poseidon. Percy Jackson becomes a hero and he kills plenty of monsters like minotaurs, hydras, etc. One thing Percy also discovers is that he has brothers, the cyclopes. Percy goes to a special came called Camp Half Blood. This camp is for demigods (half humans, half gods) like Percy. When Camp Half Blood is in danger of being destroyed, Percy must go on a mission to get the golden fleece before anyone else does. His friend Grover fails and gets captured by a cyclopes named Polythemus! To keep himself alive, Grover told Polythemus (who is half blind) that he is a girl cyclopes with satyr perfume that wants to marry Polythemus. The lie won't last long, so Percy has to go get the fleece and rescue Grover. To do this, Percy must kill Polythemus, who is a cyclopes! Will Polythemus be able to kill his own brother? __The Sea of Monsters__ is extremely interesting. You always want to know what happens next. I personally couldn't put the book down. I would devour up every single word as is it were CHEESE! (Cheese is the best!) The book has lots of humor too! __The Sea of Monsters__ is full of action and fun. The whole Percy Jackson series is full of electrifying moments, all one after the other. __The Sea of Monsters__ is an amazing book you will never want to put down. Thais C.

In __The Son of Neptune__, by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson, a 16 year old demigod, just shows up at Camp Jupiter with no memory of his past. Camp Jupiter is a year-round camp for Roman demigods where Percy Jackson meets Frank and Hazel. The three go on a quest to free death and they learn some surprising secrets on the way. In __The Son of Neptune__, Rick Riordan shows details about the characters and the setting. I really enjoyed __The Son of Neptune__ because it's about mythology and I find it really interesting. I just couldn't put down the book. I just had to keep reading it. I could recommend this book to someone who likes action and mystery. I think the worst part of the book was when I had to finish it. I would give this book 5 stars. - Rebecca S.

Have you ever tried to prove something? __Operation Isolation__, by Susan Wallach, is a great book of dialogue, characters, and friendship. When Skye tries to prove that girls can be astronauts too, by isolating herself and her three friends for three days, they do not get what they anticipated. The girls must face unexpected challenges, and each others' annoying habits. I loved this book! The characters have very strong personalities, and the changes in characteristics are amazing. The descriptions of the emotions in this book are so vivid that I felt them myself. When Skye cried, I cried. Then the girls jumped, I jumped with them. I hope that you will get to read this book as well. You will love the characters placed in the story! I give it 5 stars! - Sophia W.

The plot of __Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People__ is that George and Harold find out that there are evil clones of them and Mr. Krupp. The evil clones try to take over the world, but there is one person who can stop them: Captain Underpants! I think this book is funny because Captain Underpants is a guy fighting crime in his underwear. His anti-self, Captain Blunderpants, is evil. He helps the evil clones of George and Harold try to take over the world. Eventually, George and Harold (mostly Harold) must think of some way to stop them. I LOVED THIS BOOK! - Andrew M.

__Tales of the Masks__ (Bionicle Chronicles, Book 4) is about six Toa telling their tales in a circle. (A Toa is a Bionicle hero that has to save an island named Makuta.) Each story is told by one of the Toa. They tell their stories of the past and the future. Each story that is told has two or more Toas. There is Onua, Toa of Earth, Mata, Toa of Air, Nuju, Toa of Ice, Nakama, Toa of Water, and Vakama, Toa of Fire. All six Toa have special elemental powers. I think that __Tales of the Masks__ is a really good book because it has comedy, action, and adventure. I recommend this book to everyone because it's enjoyable and it's awesome! Everyone of all ages will like it. It's a great book that will make you want to read it over and over. -Tyler O.

The story, __Kickoff__, by Tiki and Ronde Barber, is about two twin boys named Tiki and Ronde Barber. The would have stayed together all their lives, but they were separated by their different middle school classes. They learn that even though they don't have the same classes, doesn't mean they can't be together. __Kickoff__ is a great book for kids who have a big brother or a brother who is really close to you. __Kickoff__ is also a great book for kids that like football, and know the game. If you are in fifth grade going into middle school, and you like football, then this is the book for you. - Terrence W.

__Tangerine__ is about a kid called Paul with very bad eye-sight. (He always has to wear think lensed glasses.) He and his family move to Tangerine County, Florida. The county is weird because lightning strikes as the exact same time every day, and has a fire that has been burning under ground for years! Paul has a brother who is an amazing placekicker in football, and his family revolve around his success. Paul is a goalkeeper in soccer. He's very good, but he can't get his family's attention, but in Tangerine, anything could happen! I enjoyed this book because it taught me that almost anything is possible when you believe. Edmund Bloor has produced an amazing story that has inspired me and will inspire others. This is a great book, with a great meaning! James C.

(No image available.) Have you ever heard about the 7'1" basketball player Shaquille O'Neal? If not, here's a book you might want to read. It's called The Life of Shaquille O'Neal. In the biography The Life of Shaquille O'Neal, the author first talks about Shaq's life as a child and also his struggles. For example, he had to move to Germany from San Antonio and his parents said if he acts bad he'll be sent back, so he stating acting up. I think people who like sports would like this book because it's about an athlete. Shaq is pretty good at basketball and learning how would be cool for them. Also, the book is 100% a book about basketball. I hope you learn about Shaquille O'Neal after reading the biography. - Jared G.

In the book __The Lost Hero__, by Rick Riordan, three teenage demi-gods, two boys, and one girl attempt to save the world from an evil patron. It's bad enough that Jason has lost his memory, but monsters almost never stay dead. Come on!!! Zeus has shut down Mount Olympus, and even Hera has been captured. Can Jason, Leo and Piper save the world? Find out in this action packed book. I think that __The Lost Hero__ is the best book that Rick Riordan has written. It is the most action packed, adventurous, and fun book of the series, "The Heroes of Olympus". First, you will have to read the Percy Jackson series before you will actually be able to understand this book, though. After you read __The Last Hero__, you will be able to read the next book in the series, __The Son of Neptune__. - Zachary Gee

The book I have read from the class of 5-405 is called The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog. In paragraph 11, Hank decides that just because the ranch wronged Hank by accusing him of murder, that doesn't mean that he should betray the people of the ranch. So instead of joining the coyotes who are attacking the ranch, he once again protects it. Then all of the cowboys, cowgirls, and fellow dogs of the ranch need to fight off the coyotes to save the ranch! I liked the book read about the hard life of a cowdog named Hank and his struggle to pick the side of good or evil. But in the end, Hank must fight for what he believes in and try to protect the ranch, no matter what. That is true courage. - Joshua W.

I thought that __The Son of Neptune__, by Rick Riordan, was a great book. I liked that the the author changed up the way he writes, and started using Roman gods instead of Greek or Egyptian gods. This gave the gods different traits. In __The Son of Neptune__, Rick Rirdan takes the series, "The Heroes of Olympus" and "Percy Jackson and the Olympians", to a whole new level mainly because he uses the gods in Roman form, which changes a lot of the Greek gods traits. For example, the Greek god of war, Aries, is very downgraded, whereas the Roman god of war, Mars Ultor (aka the Avenger), is considered to be the second best god. Take Juno and Hera, for instance. Juno is considered the best Roman god, but in Greek, Hera is only Zeus's wife. The gods are more warlike in Rome. All in all, it's very impressive that he has decided to use Roman gods. Basically, in __The Son of Neptune__, Percy has to defeat a giant who can't be defeated and a god that is older than the Titans. All the while, Percy has to learn to work with the Romans. In conclusion, I liked __The Son of Neptune__ and I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in it. Just remember to read the Percy Jackson series and __The Lost Hero__ first! - Jacob C.

Hello! This is Cassie, from Class 5-405, Ms. Van Doren's class at P.S. 10. I have an awesome book for you... The Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell, is a wonderful book. It is about a girl who lives all alone on an island, making the most unexpected allies. "How did she get there? Why is she alone? Who are these allies?" I can hear your questions. Well, you'll just have to read to find out! P.S. When I say "artist" I think of two kinds: one that paints, one with words. This guy is an artist of words. - Cassie G.

This book, called __Smile__, by Raina Telgemeier, is about a girl who's in the sixth grade. One night, after Girl Scouts, she trips and falls and both of her front teeth came out. She has a big journey, with braces and no braces, fake teeth and no fake teeth. Meanwhile, on top of all that drama, there's an earthquake and her friends turn out to be not so nice. This book takes place in middle school to high school, where she learns to smile! My opinion on __Smile__ is that is is a five star book. It is amazing! I would recommend this book for people who are going to get braces. I predict that they will especially enjoy reading this book, but everyone will like it. - Keilyn V.

__The Dragonling__, by Jackie French Koller, is about a kid named Darek that finds this little, blue dragon. Darek names the dragon "Zantor" and tries to take it back to his mother in a cave. But it is not easy because there are many obstacles he must overcome before getting Zantor back to his mother, called "Great Blue," in the dragon's cave. I think that the book, __The__ __Dragonling__, is a good book. It has a lot of adventure in it. But it could also use some more details. So, overall, I give the book an 8 out of 10 or 4 stars. - Christian M.

I recommend this book called __Holes__, by Louis Sachar to the next Class 5-405. This book will interest you. This kid named Stanley gets sent to Camp Green Lake, but it does not have a lake. He was sent to Camp Green Lake because he was convicted of stealing shoes, which he did not steal. I really enjoyed this book. - Michael S.

"What is it?" "I don't know." "It's a ... It's a water horse." <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">If you aren't much of a reader or you're looking for a good book, read __The Water Horse__, by Dick King-Smith. Jump into a splash of fun with a sea creature and a wonderful family, along with other characters. I loved this book! Through out the story, the author puts good dialogue, details, and much, much more. I think it's one of those books that you can't get your face out of. I rate this book a nine and a half our of ten. I would recommend it to all ages. <span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">- Wisdom V.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">In __The Dork Diaries: Book # 5, Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess__, by Rachel Renee Russell, the main character, Nikki, is a really cool, funny, and creative "dork". Well, as always, there is a mean person. In this book, a character named MacKenzie is the antagonist. MacKenzie is always trying to make poor Nikki miserable, (and personally, I think it's working). Even though MacKenzie has been winning, with her disses and her back talks, but ding! ding! ding! Nikki might have broken that record because MacKenzie and Nikki have a crush and that crush likes ... Nikki! MacKenzie is trying her best to get Brandon for herself, but Brandon really likes Nikki. Let's see how this turns out! <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">- Adrianna T.