Kids Book Blog » Realistic Fiction

The House on the Gulf by Margaret Peterson

phillips5th — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:23:10 +0000

The House on the Gulf is about a girl named Britt, Bran (brother) , and her mom. Her mom is finishing college. Bran has a job and they had to move to Florida for the job. They needed the extra money. Her parents got a divorce and Britt thinks her family should not live there. She is suspecting that all sorts of weird things are happening around the house. She thinks people still live in the house. At the time she hasn’t met her grandparents. She thinks her grand parents are dead but they aren’t. Her brother has a closet but it is always locked. One day it is open and she looks.It has all sorts of old pictures in it of her fanily. Her brother comes in early and almost catches her. Her brother lets her go in to the closet but she can’t tell mom. She ends up telling her mom and she looks by her last name and there is her grandparents. She write a letter to them. I though this story was very mysterious but it was AWESOME! I would recomend this to ages 8-12. I enjoyed this book!!!

Sarah S.

The Clue at the Bottom of the Lake by Kristiana Gregory

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:18:18 +0000

Jeff woke up in the middle of the night because he heard a loud noise outside. It was a boat. He woke up his brother David. They spot the man dumping a large bag in the lake. They immediately call Claire(there cousin) from there walky talky. The next morning the jump into the case. They find a lot of interesting things in this story. I would recommend it for ages 8-12. I started liking it from the beginning.

Sarah S.

Dead Man in Indian Creek by Mary Downing Hahn

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:14:34 +0000

Matt and Parker go camping at Indian Creek by themselvess. They wake up early andgo to spot a blue heron. They go in a little creek and end up findinga dead man. They spot a man and it ends up being theirmarket dealer named George Evens. George may have a connection with the dead man. They go to find evidence in the market and two cars end up pulling up in the parking lot. This book was very adventurous and Iwas interested right away. I would reccomend this to anyone.

Sarah S.

Lemon Merigune Pie Murder-Joanne Fluke

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:54:48 +0000

This book is about Hannah Swensen, hilarous owner of Lake Eden’s Cookie Jar. When Norman, one of Hannah’s friends, buys a house from Rhonda Scarf, which she inherted from her aunt, Hannah becomes enthusiastic. Norman tells her that he plans to tear down the house and build the dream house they designed together in a contest. When he lets Hannah and her mother look at the beautiful, old antiques in the house they finds some old furniture, some nice dishes, a partly eaten lemon merigune pie, and Rhonda’s dead body, which has been stabbed to death. Hannah’s mother, Delores, is determinied to find Rhonda’s murderer, which cause Hannah to worry about her. My favorite part in this book was when Hannah was in the Cookie Jar’s kitchen, when a jealous Mike comes in, who thinks that Hannah is moving in with Norman, and they have a little arguement.

-Catlinh N

Dive Triology-Gordon Korman

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:21:29 +0000

The books I read was Dive the trilogy it is three books in one. The first book is The Discovery, the second book is The Deep, and the third book is The Danger all by Gordon Korman. These books are about four kids Kaz, Dante, Adriana and Star who have been chosen to spend the summer exploring the depths of the sea. First they discover that people are running this program and are covering up something big. They discover something else that changes their lives but if you want to know what it is read the Dive series by Gordon Korman. I think this book would appeal to most boys and girl. Also this book would appeal to people who are into adventure. My favorite book out of this series was second one because it had a lot of adventure.

Blogged by:

Lauren W.

Snakehead-Anthony Horowitz

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:15:59 +0000

Alex is once again asked upon for help but the Australian Secret Service asks this time. His mission is to infiltrate on of the Snakeheads, a gang that smuggles drugs, weapons, and people. Alex and his long lost godfather, Ash, work together to find out what the Snakeheads are doing, but what they find out is that the Snakeheads are working with Scorpia, the most dangerous terrorist group in the world. Scorpia has a plan that will kill thousands of people and the only thing that stands in their way is Alex Rider. Will Alex be able to save all of those people before it’s too late? I liked this book because there is a lot of action in it and because there are some secrets in this book about his family. This book is the seventh book in the Alex Rider series. I would recommend this book to people who like action and adventure. I would also give this book a 5 star rating. I hope you read this book and love it too.

Blogged by: Ravi M.

Eleven by: Lauren Myracle

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:13:43 +0000

I read the book Eleven by Lauren Myracle, it is 6 points, 201pages. The main characters in this book are Winnie, Winnie’s friend Amanda and Chantelle, and Winnie’s mom and dad. This book is mainly about this girl named Winnie and her only 11th birthday. She is really excited and gets to have some of her best friends over to her house for her birthday party. Winnie says that on your birthday day everything should go just the way you want it. For Winnie this is the most perfect day of her life. She has got her favorite breakfast, waffles crispy but not burned and a birthday song at school, ignoring Alex Plotkin’s song about monkeys and zoos. Winnie gets so many nice things for her birthday, she even gets a cute little kitten! The kitten is a little bit clumsy and gets trapped in the wall, but it still has the cutest name, Sweetie-Pie. Winnie does tons of adventures and trips to awesome places but not just on her birthday she gets to do everything any time. For example she goes to the beach and does some awesome things with her friends! to find out what else crazy things or adventures Winnie takes, you have to read the book Eleven by: Lauren Myracle. If I could rate this 1-10, 10 being the best, I would give it a 10 because there is so many cool adventures andso interesting how Winnie takes life. I would recommend this book to mostly girls or if boys like glittery and girly stuff they would also enjoy it. I say this is for 4th, 5th, and 6th, grade kids. I definetly enjoyed this book and I hope you do to ENJOY!

Blogged by: Sarah L.

Guys Write For Guys Read Edited By: Jon Sciezka

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:28:35 +0000

The book I read was Guys Write for Guys Read By Jon Sciezka. This book is mainly about probably all the boy authors and illustrators coming together to make one book. Every author has to tell a story about when he was a kid in one of his boyish, gross, cool, interesting, and maybe even boring stories of just being a kid. My favorite one was My French Teacher Tried to Kill Me By: Anthony Horrowitz. That story is about when Anthony Horrowitz as a kid falls asleep in French class, while he is asleep he has a dream that he over hears his French teacher talking about a spy mission. Later, in class the teacher knew that he saw him and puts a knife up to his face, but he defends it. Also read about illustrators like Dav Pilkey from Captain Underpants. That is what this book is about.

-Nabil S.

Life Starring Me by: Robin Wasserman

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:50:56 +0000

I read the book life Starring Me by: Robin Wasserman this book is mainly about a girl who has to realize that life isn’t all that fun. The main characters are Ruby Day but her real name is Rebecca, her sister Alana, Ruby’s mom and dad, Ruby’s aunt, and this mean girl named Mareen. right now Ruby has a pretty fun life, she is on tour in the summer in Paris with her Aunt. Ruby is having so much fun with her crew and on her musical “Bye-Bye Birdie” in Paris but she still thinks she deserves a higher role. One day the director wanted to talk to Ruby aout her part. Ruby was soooo excited so she ran in there and started talking. After the long conversation the director gave her some papers to take for someone to sign so she ran to the person and said “So when do I get started” and the woman asked “What’ and Ruby said “My new role, when do I start” but then she relized that she wasn’t going up a role she was getting fired! She ran out trying not to cry. Ruby’s Aunt tried to see what she was doing but Ruby wouldn’t tell her. After a couple of days Ruby’s mom said she had to come home after the summer so she could go to school. Now Ruby wasn’t used to a public school so she was mad, she didn’t want to go home she wanted to stay in Paris with her Aunt. there were only a couple of things Ruby was looking forward to when she went home, since her Aunt and Mom agreed that Ruby should stay home. Ruby was looking forward to seeing her little sister, Alana, she always used to jump and run right to Ruby if she missed her, and always wanted to play Ruby. She also looked forward to be treated by her parents like royalty since she was practically famous. At the airport Ruby saw her parents but didn’t see Alana, she did see a shadow in the car and she was pretty sure that was Alana. She said hi to her parents and went home in the car. Things weren’t going the way she planned, Alana was mean to her, when she got home she even had to do chores! Later on at school she met this girl named Mareen and she was mean to Ruby at first, but about a week later mareen and Ruby are doing a school musical and when Ruby started to read her lyrix on little peices of paper she was saying wierd things like “I am a dork.” Did Mareen sabatague their show? Or did Mareen not do it? So many questions asked but to find them out you have to read the book Life Starring Me by: Robin Wasserman. This is a great book so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Blogged by: Sarah L.

Scat- Carl Hiaasen

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:42:04 +0000

The book Scat by Carl Hiaasen is about a fire, an inhaler, and a panther. The main character, Nick Waters, has always wanted to see a panther. At the beginning of the book, a kid called Smoke (His real name is Duane Scrod Jr.) gets in a fight (not physically) with the meanest teacher, Mrs. Starch. She makes him right a paper on acne. She does this because 1) he always picks at this pimple on his neck and 2) he needs to be punished for his bad behavior. The entire grade is supposed to go on a field trip the next day, but Smoke never shows. The grade is going to a place called the Black Vine Swamp. Mrs. Starch is there, and she seems perfectly normal. A forest fire starts! The grade has to go back in the bus and back to school. The only problem is, somebody dropped their inhaler. It’s to dangerous for the student to fetch it, so Mrs. Starch does. She never comes back. The bus has to leave because it’s dangerous for the students. Plus, Mrs. Starch drove her car here. The next day at school, Mrs. Starch doesn’t show. She’s only missed one day of her teaching career, and that’s because she was seriously injured. She still called in then! There has been no calls from her. You would think she’s dead, but Nick Walters sees somebody driving Mrs. Starches car. It’s not Mrs. Starch though. I recommend this book to boys and girls because it’s not to much action or gooiness. I rate this book an 8 on a scale from 1 through 10. This book was better than I expected it to be so, hope you read it!

Blogged by:

Stephanie Doering

Hank Zipzer: My Dog’s a Scaredy Cat – Henry Winkler

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:29:25 +0000

This book is about a young boy named Hank that has two best friends named Frankie and Ashley. Hank, Frankie, and Ashley all discuss what they are going to be on Halloween because Halloween is around the corner. Hank has the craziest idea for Halloween: he says he wants to dress up as a table in an Italian restaurant. HE WANTS BE A TABLE IN AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT!!! Frankie and Ashley try to convince him to not be a table from an Italian restaurant, but he still does not want to change his mind. One day, Hank, Frankie, and Ashley decide that they want to get back at the school bully, McKelty. Then, they came up this a BRILLIANT plan! They were going to make a haunted house, but they had no clue how they were going to make it. Also, their beloved dog, Cheerio, got lost while Hank went to the store. Is this going to be the worst Halloween ever of will every thing just fall into place? If you want to find out, you have to read this book called, Hank Zipzer: My Dog’s a Scaredy-Cat. I think this book would appeal to boys and girls. It is a very short read and it is the 10th in the series, but you do not have to go in order. This series is one of the funniest series I have every read. I really recommend you read this book.

David G.

Hank Zipzer: A Tale of Two Tales – Henry Winkler

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:25:16 +0000

This book is about a young boy named Hank that has two best friends named Frankie and Ashley. Hank has a sister named Emily that has a pet iguana named Katherine. Hank has a pet dog named Cheerio. One day when Hank, Frankie, and Ashley went to school, there teacher, Ms. Adolf, announced that the school was going to have a competition for the next school mascot. The prize was to have the owner and their pet in the newspaper. Everybody was excited about the competition, but then Ms. Adolf said that all of the participants had to write an essay explaining why their pet should win and their pet’s history. When Hank, Frankie, and Ashley went home, they decided to put Cheerio in the competition, but it is going to be very hard to train him because he losses focus very quickly. Another down side was that Emily was also going to put Katherine in the competition and they taught her how to balance a grape on her nose with a Q-tip on the grape. One day Team Cheerio decided to go to the park to train Cheerio, but it ended with a total disaster. Cheerio decided not to pay any attention at all and preferred to chase the birds and role around in the mud. Another terrible thing happened: FRANKIE AND ASHLEY DECIDED TO GO TO TEAM KATHERINE!!! They thought that Cheerio was not going to win, so Frankie and Ashley changed teams thinking they were with a better team. Hank lost all his team members and the competition was in one week. Hank made no progress with his training and hadn’t even started on his essay. WHAT WILL HANK DO?!?!?!? If you want to find out, you have to read this book, Hank Zipzer: A Tale of Two Tales. I think this book will appeal to both boys and girls and it is a very short read. This book is the 15th in this series and it is one of the funniest series ever. I really recommend that you read this series.

David G.

Schooled – Gordon Korman

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:11:31 +0000

Schooled by Gordon Korman is about a boy name Capricorn Anderson. Cap is is his nickname. He has never eaten a hot dog, watched television, or seen a computer because he lives on a farm. Garland Farm to be specific. The farm grows fruits and vegetables. His life was extremely basic, he thought he’d live their the rest of his life but, he was wrong. When his home-school teacher, Rain, gets injured by falling off a tree while picking plums, Cap is forced to go somewhere else. But not just anywhere, a school. A middle school. A public middle school. He is forced to go to Claverage Middle School. Not only that, he doesn’t fit in and he can’t make friends. He has long hair that is dirty and has never been combed, does Tai Chi on the lawn, and wears rags for clothing. He is to stay at the school counselor’s house. You’d think that’d be a little better? No! The school counselor’s has a terrible daughter that drives Cap crazy! The bully of the school, Zach Powers, is waiting for something special to happen to Cap. But what?? Read Schooled to find out the terrible twist that happened.

I loved this book. It was a quick read though. It is worth six points. Happy reading! Enjoy! ^^

Blogged by:
Heather C.

Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies – Erin Dionne

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:07:35 +0000

Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Dionne is a fantastic realistic fiction book.
Overweight thirteen year-old Celeste Harris has joined the HuskyPeach fashion show contest. But, she didn’t join her aunt signed her up. You think she should be excited? Think again! HuskyPeach is a store for overweight people She is hurt she is forced to.
But, that is the least of her worries! Lively Carson, the most popular girl in the eighth grade, is stealing her best friend, Sandra. Lively insults her and Sandra doesn’t even care anymore! Sandra used to always stick up for her. But, Celeste decides that teasing from Lively has gone too far. She tries to help herself but, can she?
Also, Celeste decides if she loses too much weight, she won’t have to do the pageant. But, she isn’t doing the starve diet. She decides to eat healthier and exercise. She slowly burns off some pounds but, will she still have to enter? And, she has to stop her chocolate cookie obsession.

I loved this book! I think it was really funny in some places and really serious in others. I like how the author mixes it up. This book is worth eight points. Great realistic fiction! Amazing!

Blogged by:
Heather C.

Replay-Sharon Creech

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:10:20 +0000

The book Replay by Sharon Creech is about a boy named Leonardo(Leo for short) who wants to be famous and wants to be a star, but his brothers and his sister call him sardine becouse of his noisy family who makes him feel like a sardine in a can. They also call him fog boy because he is always fantasizing about himself being a star. One day Leo goes into his attic there he finds his dad’s autobiography when he was thirteen. He takes that and finds some tap shoes and starts tapping. When his dad comes to the attic he gets mad at Leo for tapping and tells him not to touch his stuff. Leo still has the autobiography and starts to read it. He finds out things that he never thought his father would do. Leo also finds out about an Auntie that he has never heard of and when he asks about her his grandma gets upset. During all this confusion he also has a play at school and he wants to be the lead role, but ends up being an old crone, which is a women. The worst thing is that they are doing horrible in rehearsels. Leo is doubting that they will do good when real play. He also finds out a secret about his best friend Ruby. Who is his Auntie he has never heard of? What is the secret about Ruby? Will he do good in his play? You have to read this book to find out. This book is for girls and boys, but just a little bit more for girls because his fantasies have a lot of drama. It didn’t take long to read for me. I hope you read this book and enjoy it!

Blogged by:Carly L.

The Secret Language of Girls-Frances O’Roark Dowell

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:45:24 +0000

Do you like books about friendships between girls? Then this is the perfect book for you! The book the Secret Language of Girls by Frances O’Roark Dowell is a book about two girls named Kate Faber and Marylin McIntosh. These two girls have been best friends and neighbor for about their entire lives. They both agree on people who are good friends and what outfits look good to wear, but lately, Marylin has thought that Kate is acting babyish. Also, Kate thinks Marylin is acting like a snob. These thoughts between the two girls caused their friendship to become broken apart. Now the girls Marylin hang out with say mean things about Kate and the girls Kate hang out with say mean things about Marylin. Truthfully, the girls both wish everything was back to normal. If I were to rate this book on a scale from one to ten with ten being the best, I would give it a ten because there is comedy, sports, and romance. I would also recomend this book to girls. To find out what happens read The Secret Language of Girls.

-Alexandra C.

Zen and the Art of Faking it – Jordan Sonnenblick

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:30:36 +0000

San Lee, an adopted child from China living a nightmare as his life. His dad went to jail, and his mom is stressing about it. So when he moves to a new town, new state, and a new school. He has no idea who he is or who he wants to be. On his first day at school he meets a beautiful girl named Emily A.K.A Woody. Woody has a “rocker chick” look and plays music at lunch. San thought that everyone at the school would make fun of her but surprisingly everyone loves it. In their history class, San’s teacher starts a unit about Zen and Buddhism. San has already learned about this but decides that he should become a “Zen Master.” San spends endless hours at the library trying to learn everything about becoming a Zen Master. San is successful and Woody starts to fall for San. Is San doing the right thing? Does Woody really belive that San is a Zen Master.

Read Zen and the Art of Faking it to find out.

Blogged by: Maranda W.

The Amah – Laurence Yep

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:30:22 +0000

What if… your father died a few years ago, and have three, four, or five younger siblings, and you mom is trying to get a good job to keep the family going. Amy is 11, lives in San Francisco, and the same thing is going on with her. Her mom is trying to get a good job to keep Amy in her ballet classes. When Amy’s mom gets a new job as an amah (a highly respected nanny in china), Amy has to miss some ballet classes to watch her younger siblings. Amy’s mom is an amah to a wealthy 11, Stephanie, whose mother died. When Amy’s mom tells her children about how nice Stephanie is, Amy gets jealous.

I think this is a good book. It has some of the same characters as the ones in the Ribbons series. I would give this book 4/5 stars.

Blogged by, Anna Marie N.

Oh, Baby-Nancy Krulik

Mrs. Phillips — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:19:24 +0000

The book Oh, Baby, by Nancy Krulik, is mostly about Katie changing into a baby. Katie always, in every Katie Kazoo book, turns into something or someone rather than herself. It is because she always wishes in her head that she was something or someone rather than herself. Katie’s wishes always come true and after she realizes she is not herself anymore she is so mad or frustrated. Don’t you think she would be happy? Well, I guess not because when Katie’s wish comes true she is stuck for a while. In this book Katie turns into Heather, her best friend Suzanne’s baby sister! Oh-No! Katie is stuck in that baby’s body for some time. While Katie is Heather she hates it because she has to drink formula! Yuck! Then she realizes she did something when Suzanne changed Heather’s, which was really Katie, diaper. So to find out what Katie did read the book Oh, Baby by Nancy Krulik. I would rate this book a 9.5 out of 10. I would rate that rating because it was a fast read but a GREAT book! It only takes less than an hour to read, but like I said it is a GREAT book. I would recommend this book to mostly girls because it focuses on Katie who talks girly. So, go get the book or borrow the book Oh, Baby by Nancy Krulik. It was GREAT!

Claire P.

Tangerine – Dward Bloor

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:20:09 +0000

Don’t let titles deceive you, this book is not about tangerines at all. Paul is a 7th grade soccer goalie, the best in his league, who is moving with his mom to Florida to join up with his dad and brother. When he joins the soccer team at Lake Windsor Middle school, he gets kicked off because of his problem. Paul actually can’t see without special goggles. So when Paul gets a chance to go to a different school, who don’t know of his blindness, he doesn’t hesitate to switch to Tangerine Middle school. He joins the team, but he is remembering certain things about why he went blind that are involving his brother. Will he remember what happend to his eyesight? and how did it happen? Read Tangerine by Dward Bloor.

Eggs By: Jerry Spinelli

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:12:20 +0000

“The humped eyelids with their glittery purple were like tiny twin eggs, bird’s eggs.”

When David and Primrose first meet, David is sure that she is dead. David, a young boy, and Primrose, a mouthy teenager, could not be more different. Primrose would do anything to get away from her crazy fortune- telling mother, even if it means spending her life in a car, which she uses as her room. David longs to watch the sunset with his mother. His dead mother. He would do anything to get her back. David and Primrose sneek out every night after dark. They could be going to The Refrigerator’s house, or maybe dumpster dive for the flee market on Thursdays, whch Primrose hardly has any luck at. David is sure he will never break another rule (other than his Grandmother’s), and hopes that one day being good enough will bring his mother back. But until then, he plans to never ever watch the sun rise without her by his side. When Primrose and David go on their big adventure to the city, the two definitely demonstate their bond together. Will David’s mother come back? Will Primrose ever learn to love her mother? Read Eggs to find out.

I personally really liked the book “Eggs.” It was really sad, and very touching, or sometimes funny at parts. I think that Jerry Spinelli really wrote this book as well as he could. My favorite character was Primrose, because of her spunky, carefree attitude. Of all the parts of the book, I liked the night of their big advenure best. It made me cry and laugh, but it was definitely touching. It took me a whole day to read “Eggs”, because I couldn’t stop reading it.

I would definitely reccomend “Eggs” to girls and boys in possibly fifth grade and up. 10/10.

natasha m.

Callie For President- Robin Wasserman

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:12:18 +0000

Callie For President, by Robin Wasserman is about a girl named Callie running for class president against a girl who Callie thinks is stuck up, Brianna Blake. Brianna has ran for president for the past couple of years and no one has run against her, so every single year she won the election because no one had anyone to vote for! Well one day when Callie and her friends Max and Fish were in their social studies class, Max changes the whole election…”I nominate Callie!”shouts Max. Fish agreed with Max, so Callie was running for class president against Brianna Blake.

When Brianna asks Fish to help her make posters for the election, Max and Callie get very offended because Callie was nearly SURE Fish would say no. But, nope, Fish said yes. HELPING BRIANNA BLAKE make posters for the election when CALLIE, his best friend was running against her, not very nice!!! At Callie and Max’s first president meeting, they decide to have a bake sale at the school parking lot. That exact time and day when Callie and Max were holding the baking sale, Brianna Blake comes in with a hit rock star and tries to persuade all the students to vote for her, not Callie.

Who will win the election? Will Callie ever get Fish back on her side? Will Brianna and Callie EVER be at least friends? To find out what happens, read the book, Callie For President, by Robin Wasserman. I highly recommend it to mostly girls ages 8-12. I would rate this book a 7 out of 10, ten being the best. It was a good book, but it could be better.

Blogged by Jodie C.

I.Q. – Roland Smith

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:25:44 +0000

Hey guys I just read a great book by Roland Smith called I.Q. This book is about a boy named Quest (nicknamed Q) who is about to have a new sister and dad. His step dad and mom are in a band and he and Angela, his new sister, go with them. Along the way they meet a very mysterious person named Boone. Later they find out that he works for a secret agent like company. (like the CIA or the Secret Service) When Q and Angela find out that Angela’s supposedly dead mother is alive and that someone is trying to kill them they have to beat all odds to figure out the mystery. How will Q and Angela escape their pursuers? and will they find out if Angela’s mother is alive or not? Read this book to find out.

–Blogged by Garrett T.

Star-Crossed- Mimi McCoy

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:37:11 +0000

The book, Star-Crossed by Mimi McCoy, is about a girl named Abby signing up for a mobile horoscope by, Miz Astrid. Abby didn’t really want to sign up for the mobile horoscope, but Abby’s BFF Chelsea signs her up for it.

Abby has a perfect life. She is the star on her track team and gets good grades. But when Chelsea signs Abby up for the horoscope, everything goes from way, way up, to way, way down. One example of the good times was when Abby first looked at her horoscope, it said, “Unexpected riches may come your way,” then after her track practice, Abby found a 20 dollar bill lying on the ground! Another example of the bad days was when Abby’s horoscope read, “Beware distractions and double check everything…” That same day, Abby was at a track meet, running her hardest. Their school was going to win this race!!! But right before the finish line, Abby tripped and landed SMACK on the gravel track and lost. Later, Abby found out she tripped because she forgot to tie her right shoe lace!

Will Abby’s luck turn? Will she ever get a good horoscope by, Miz Astrid? To find out what happens to Abby in the end of the book, read Star-Crossed, by Mimi McCoy. I would rate this book a 9 out of 10, ten being the best. It was a great book, and I enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend it to girls ages 8-12 or 13. Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you read the book!

Realistic Fiction

Blogged by Jodie C

Penny From Heaven- Jennifer L. Holm

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 04 May 2009 03:21:31 +0000

Eleven-year-old, Penny has always been given so many gifts because her father died when she was just a baby. Everyone loved her dad so they want to help cheer her up. She also has so many uncles she can hardly count. They always are the ones who give her things. All her uncles are great, but who she really likes is Uncle Dominic. Uncle Dominic lives in a car. He says it’s more comfortable and he can wear his pajamas and slippers all day. He also gets to listen to the Brooklyn Dodgers games and usually invites Penny to come along with him to listen. But her summer isn’t coming out the way she planned. She and her cousin, Frankie, have to get jobs at Falucci’s Market. Also she can’t go swimming because her mom is afraid that she will catch polio at the pool. Her Nonny, who only speaks Italian, cries every time she hears Penny’s dad’s name. People really did enjoy his presence. But worst of all, Penny’s mom is dating the milkman. He comes every day to sell milk to them and she always sees her mom trying to flirt with him. Also Frankie thinks that one of the uncles has money hidden somewhere in their house. Will Penny’s summer ever turn out as planned? Will Frankie and Penny find the money that was hidden? Will Penny’s two families ever be friends again? Read this book to find out.

I loved this book! It taught me that your family doesn’t have to be perfect to maintain a good life. It also taught me that even though the times may be rough doesn’t mean that it can’t get better. You can get through the roughest times even if they seem impossible to get through, you just need to be happy. It taught me that miracles aren’t just in fairy-tales, they can happen in real life too. Believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything.

Ryan K.

Miss Popularity Goes Camping-Francesco Sedita

Mrs. Phillips — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:46:02 +0000

Miss Popularity Goes Camping, a book by Francesco Sedita is about a girl named Cassie Knight going on her first camping trip for a 6th grade field trip! Cassie has never really gone camping, so the day she was going to the site she was both excited and a bit nervous. She was mostly nervous because of all the activities she was going to do, like bungee jumping and hiking.

When Cassie arrived at The Gamut, the camp site, the class already had to go hiking to where they would set up the tents, eat their meals, and do activities. When Cassie was hiking, the class had to cross a little streamm. There were only two ways to go across, the first was to go across a fallen tree, and the second was to go across a couple of rocks in the water. Cassie decided to go across the rocks, and right before she was across at the other side, she fell, SMACK in the mud, which got her new Levi’s wet and muddy!

If you want to find out if Cassie ends up to like camping and has a blast at The Gamut, then read the book, Miss Popularity Goes Camping, by Francesco Sedita. I would rate this book a 10 out of 10, ten being the best! I truly liked this book more than the first and will definately read it again.

-Jodie C.

The Trouble with Skateboarding – Chris Ashley

Mrs. Phillips — Sun, 03 May 2009 17:52:28 +0000

The main characters in this book are Jim, Ben, Christyn, Scott, Billy,Uncle Frank and Mike. In the beginning of the story they are out to find this guy that is selling counterfeit skateboards to kids that need a new board. Mike’s skateboard shop is losing money because all the kids are buying the fake skateboards instead of the real skateboards at Mike’s shop. Mike is planning to buy this land to build a skate park for kids to enjoy. Also Mike’s skateboard shop always holds a skateboarding competition. The person who wins gets a grand prize of 1,000 dollars. Mike payed off half the land for the skate park, but he still needs to pay 150,000 more dollars in order to get the land. Since the mayor of the city moves the meeting for the land two weeks earlier than it was supposed to be, Mike does not have enough money to pay for the land. If you want to figure out who wins the skateboarding contest, and if they catch the guy who is selling the counterfeit skateboards, and also if Mike ends up getting the land, read The Trouble with Skateboarding. This book is ten points.

Written by: Jack Stralen

It Only Looks Easy

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:11:14 +0000

In the book I read It Only Looks easy a girl named Kat Randall gets into a big mess! First her dog,Cheddar, gets hit by a car! Then , Kat finds out that the lady in the car wasn’t supposed to be in the car! She was an old women with Alzhiemers disease. This means she is confused and forgets things. Second, when Kat is in the middle of school ,she can’t take the pain of her dog dying, so she leaves school on a borrowed bike to visit her dog at the pet hospital. While she is in the hospital the bike she borrowed is stolen! Just what she needed! So then the person who’s bike she took tracks her down. Boy her mom is not the happiest mom ever. Her mom is accusing her of stealing other bikes to! Now that is just rude! So now Kat has to make money to repay for another bike! So on top of all that she has to think of jobs to do and work! So this is not the best year of all for Kat Randall. If you want to find out if Kat repays the bike or if they find our who stole the bike read It Only Looks Easy.

Ione G.

phillips5th

Realistic fiction

Lost and Found – Andrew Clements

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:42:41 +0000

Lost and Found by Andrew Clements takes place when the Grayson twins and their family moves to Clifton, Ohio. The Grayson twins are Jay and Ray. On the first day of sixth grade, Ray is sick so Jay walks to school by himself. During the school day he notices that Ray’s name is never mentioned in attendence sheets, nurse lists, and student ID’s. Pretty soon Jay realizes that the school has no record of Ray. The school have mistaken the twins as one person. So, Jay hatches a plan. Jay and Ray will take turns going to school. Jay will go one day and Ray will go the day after that. While one goes to school, the other will stay home and relax while watching movies and sleeping. But pretty soon, the nurse, principal, and some friends notice differences between days. They soon realize that they are twins. Pretty soon the whole school knows. Jay and Ray’s parents find out and all is lost. But, Jay and Ray did this because they were sick and tired of being twins. They were always compared to each other. This story is really about learning to be yourself and develop honesty in others. I loved this book. It is a classic! I recommend it to boys and girls.

Blogged by:
Heather C.

The Worldwide Dessert Contest-Dan Elish

Mrs. Phillips — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:02:11 +0000

This awesome book is about a chef, Applefeller, who wants to win the in dessert the worldwide contest, but his desserts always change when the judges are testing it. Applefeller has been in last place ten years in a row! When someone wins the contest they get a very valuable Silver Spoon. One day Applefeller makes an huge apple pancake for the contest with the help of his ten year old assistant, Stanley.When Applefeller enters the contest everyone laughs and they can’t wait to see what his dessert turns into this time. There are four judges in the contest. One of them is Brewster Mclaughlin he created over one hundred strains of sugar, and some of the sugars that he invented are odd like sock sugar. Another judge is Hamilton Custhardy he is an expert cake taster and had a gigantic mouth. He can calculate the precise time the cake was baked to a tenth of a second. George Saucery is another judge he specializes in ice cream. Last, there is Nathaniel Barkle who has an amazing memory. Judge Barkle is always getting hurt by Applefellers dessert like Applefeller’s carmel apple that turned out to be a powerful super glue, and it got stuck to Judge Barkle’s cheek and it can not be removed. When Applefeller enters his pancake he is last to be jugded. Sylvester Sweet is second to last to be judged. Sylvester has won ten years in a row with the same dessert every year. When the Barkle trys Applefellers dessert it turns into a giant trampoline. Guess who wins, Sylvester Sweet. After finishing last again Barkle says he will find a way to have him forbidden to enter the contest again. The janitor Josiah Benson decides to help Applefeller. Josiah tells him an awesome Captain B Rollie can help him so his desserts don’t change, but he no longer lives in Appleton. Luckily Josiah has a map that Rollie left for him and it shows that he lives on an island. How will they get there? Why does Sylvester always enter the same dessert? Will Applefeller be banished from the dessert contest? You have to read this book to find out.

Blogged by:

Carly L.

The Mother Daughter Book Club By:Heather Vogel Frederick

Mrs. Phillips — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 01:32:30 +0000

The first thing that I have to say about “The Mother Daughter Book Club” by Heather Vogel Frederick, is that it is one of the best books I have ever read. “The Mother Daughter Book Club” is a realistic story about four girls forced to join once a month for a book club their mothers (and in Cassidy’s case, father) started. Megan is a mean and popular girl in the Fab Four at school. Emma is a girl who gets made fun of, and has read practically every book ever written. Cassidy is a tomboy-ish girl who is a misfit in her family with her model mother and sister. Jess is a shy girl who misses her mother who got an acting job in New York, a travel on a train away from Concord Massachusetts, where the girls live. In the book club, they read Little Women. The book helps them through the drama of sixth grade, between changes in friendship, and stolen journals. This book is wonderful, and I absolutelyloved it. It is worth eight points, and there is a second book called Much Ado About Anne. The Mother Daughter Book Club changes points of view, between the four girls, which I think makes the book really interesting. Out of ten, ten being the best, I would absolutely give this book a ten.

Will the girls become friends? Will the book club continue? Or will everything crash down? Find out by reading the fantastic book “The Mother Daughter Book Club” by Heather Vogel Frederick.

Blogged by Natasha M.

The Curtains Went Up, My Pants Fell Down – Hank Zipzer – Henry Winkler

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:36:22 +0000

In this story Hank has to get peer tutored. For those of you who don’t know what this means, it means that he is going to have to get taught from a kid in his class! When Hank hears the news he is mad! This means that Hank has to wake up extra early in the morings to go to school and get tutored. The worst part is that he has to get tutored by a girl named Heather Payne. Heather Payne is the teacher’s pet! She loves doing work and will always listen to what the teacher says! Hank really, really, really, really dislikes Heather! Also, there is a school play coming up and Hank really wants to play the role of the king, but he made a deal with his dad. The deal with his dad is that if he gets a B plus or higher on his MATH test he gets to be in the play, but if he doesn’t then he can’t be in the play and his worst enemy Nick Mcetely will have to play the king! So Hank ends up making the part as the king but that doesn’t matter because if he doesn’t pass the math test then he can’t play as the king. If you want to figure out what grade he gets on his test, then read the book The Curtains Went Up, My Pants Fell Down!

Written by: Jack S.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey – Trenton Lee Stewart

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:13:12 +0000

As always I’ll start out by saying that you should read the first book in the series before reading this book because this book reveals the answer to the riddle in the 1^st book. Anyways, in this book you follow Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance in an adventure to save there two beloved teachers Mr. Benedict and Number Two. The story starts out when the four children decide to run away and try and save Mr. Benedict by themselves. By following the clues Mr. Benedict left them they end upon the ship named the Shortcut. The children then start to feel suspicious about the captain because he gave Reynie something strange. Will they ever find Mr. Benedict? And is the captain an ally or an enemy? You’ll just have to find out yourself by reading this book.

Happy Reading!

Blogged by Garrett T.

Skeleton Key-Anthony Horowitz

Mrs. Phillips — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:13:28 +0000

Skeleton Key is a book about Alex Rider a 14 year old boy who has saved the world twice. Now MI6 sends Alex down to Miami to go and help another spy company, CIA to go to Cuba and investigate a Russian person who they think have a nuclear weapon. He is accompanied with Carver and Troy. When Alex got to Cuba, strange things start to happen. First, when they tried to get in the Russian’s home, Carver and Troy dies, second, the Russian guy is inviting the Russian president to his place, and third, when the Russian captures Alex, he wanted Alex to be his son. He told Alex that he was going to set the nuclear bomb on a submarine that carried lots of unused fuel in Russia. He was also going to have the Russian president killed. Will Alex stop the Russian madman, will the Russian guy kill Alex, and will the Russian president die? Read Skeleton Key, the third book in the Alex Rider series to find out. This book is for people who like spying and action.

Blogged by Justin L.

Nicholas By: Rene Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempe

Mrs. Phillips — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:58:13 +0000

This book is about a eight year old boy that lives in France. Nicholas goes to an all boy school. This book is about the many adventures that Nicholas has. Nicholas’ best friend Alex. Cuthbert is a student in Nicholas’ class. Cuthbert is the teachers bet and says that you can’t punch him because he wears glasses. Nicholas and his friends have many adventures. Like, playing hooky, playing cowboys and many other silly things.

Read about there many adventures in Nicholas.

Maranda W.

Miss Popularity- By Francesco Sedita

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:39:10 +0000

Miss Popularity, by Francesco Sedita is about a Texan girl named Cassie Knight who moves from Texas to snowy Maine. Back in Texas, Cassie “ruled the school.” Now at her new prep school, Cassie has turned from “fab to drab.” No one at Cassie’s new school thinks she is amazing, except for Cassie’s new friend, Etoile (star in French).

At Cassie’s new school they have fundraisers, and every year the school does the same activity to earn money for the school. Cassie suggests changing the fundraiser idea to a fashion show. Everyone hates the idea except for, of course, Etoile and her teacher, Mr. Blackwell. Will the school fashion show help Cassie turn again, from “drab to fab?” If you want to find out, read the book, Miss Popularity, by Francesco Sedita to find out what happens.

I would reccomend this book for girls ages 8-12. It is a very easy read and is 120 pages and I would rate it an 8 out of 10, ten being the best. Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you read this book!

Blogged by Jodie C.

Firegirl By: Tony Abbot

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:57:07 +0000

This book is about a boy named Tom. Tom goes to a private Catholic School and is in the seventh grade. Tom’ s best friend is Jeff. One day their teacher announces that they are getting a new student named Jessica. She explains to them that Jessica was in a fire and has burns. Everyone makes fun of Jessica behind her back. They say that she is an alien. Tom starts to form a friendship towards Jessica. Tom slowly starts to realize what happened to Jessica. Why she hates her mother. And so many other things.

I would like to tell you what happens next but you should figure it out yourself.

-Maranda W.

Thirteen-by Lauren Myracle

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:54:16 +0000

I read the book thirteen and I think you know who it is by. Well this book is third in the seriesEleven. Well in this book Winnie the main character has big changes. Winnie’s best Friend has turned goth and now Winnie has two different friends Cinnamon and Dinah. They have birthdays,boys,and a new baby! Well Winnie’s new boy moved on to the high school campus Winnie is still in the middle school campus. When Winnie meats some of Lars( her boyfriends name ) that includes a girl who has a nose ring and Lars acts way different around her and now thinking that Lars likes that girl instead of her she ‘breaks up’ with him. Tofind out if Lars and Winnie get back together and do OK? read Thirteen by Lauren Myracle. I would recommend this book to girls and girls alone.

Ione G.

phillips 5th

Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightening By: Danette Haworth

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:52:09 +0000

Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightening is a wonderful book. It deals with real- life experiences of any girl who’s ever lived. This book is my favorite book I’ve read, and it even helped me with some of my own problems.

Violet Raines is a spunky eleven year old girl who speaks her mind. She lives right next to her best friend, Charlotte, or Lottie, as everyon calls her. When a pretty new girl named Melissa Gold from Detroit comes along to Florida and intrudes on Lottie and Violet’s friendship, Violet doesn’t like it one bit. Everyone seems fascinated with her becuase she comes from the “Murder Capitol” or the United States. Melissa is more focused on boys, hot celebrities, going to Hollywood, than getting a Brain Freeze or hanging out at the old hollowed out tree, which quite frankly, Violet would rather do instead of drooling around boys. But Melissa seems to steal Lottie away. Lots of thigns happen, one being Violet almost getting struck by lightening at Lottie’s house, and Lottie’s house getting destroyed because of it. With that, Lottie moves in to Melissa’s house until her house is fixed. Violet is really mad at that. But the problem is they don’t have the money to fix it. Also, on one day Violet, Lottie, Melissa, and Eddie, Violet’s friend are hanging out, despite the fact that Violet hates Melissa. They start playing truth or dare, and Melissa dares Violet to kiss Eddie. She does, just to prove to Melissa that she can. But Eddie runs away and starts avoiding her. Will Melissa ever become friends with Violet? Will Eddie ever forgive her? Will Lottie ever move back into her house? Find out by reading Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightening by Danette Haworth. I absolutely loved it!!!

natasha m.

The Sisters Club by Megan McDonald

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:38:56 +0000

The Sisters Club by Megan McDonald is a very fun and easy read. Three sisters, Alex, Stevie, and Joey go through life with their own private club, The Sisters Club, for sisters only. This book is about all of their adventures, from twelve year old Alex having her boy crush over for dinner, to Stevie standing in for her older sister’s play part, and Joey camping out under the piano eating nothing but Jello becuase the girls’ mom is always gone on the new set of her cooking show, Fondue Sue. The oldest sister, Alex, begins to stop going to the meetings of the Sisters Club, becuase Joey and Stevie embarassed her infront of her crush, Scott. Will Alex ever come back into the Sisters Club? If you want to find out, read The Sisters CLub, by Megan McDonald. This book was definitely not written for higher than fifth grade, but if you want to read a light, easy read which includes Joey’s homework journal, then read The Sisters Club.

The Book of One Hundred Truths- Julie Schumacher

Mrs. Phillips — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:04:57 +0000

Theadora Grumman is a liar. All of her lies hang over her like a shadow and she’s not very proud of it. Thea’s parents just want the best for her, but sometimes it’s too much. Thea goes to her grandmother’s house every summer in Port Harbor and they always have the best time. But this trip seems to be different. First of all, Thea’s mother has given her a notebook to take with her to Port Harbor, in which she will write a hundred truths. It might be hard for Thea, being a liar, but she has decided to tell the story of how she lost her best friend in it. On top of that, the house is more crowded than usual, so she has to share a room with her really annoying seven year old cousin, Jocelyn. Jocelyn is kept busy by spying on her aunts because she thinks they are up to no good. She wants Thea to help her, even though Thea hates little children, she makes a bond with Jocelyn. It’s not hard for Thea to keep the secret of her notebook, but when she finds that her aunts aren’t going to work everyday, maybe Thea’s not the only one who is keeping secrets in this family. Will Thea’s lies finally put so much weight on her until she can’t take it anymore? What really happened to her friend? Read this book to find out.

This book was different among the others I have read, but in a good way. This book is really sad at the end so be prepared. You really see inside Thea and what she is thinking. She is not proud of her lies, but she can’t help it. It’s really interesting to look into the mind of a liar, you would think they are so horrible inside, but you see that they are just confused souls. The lies that Thea has told torments her, but I guess she will never learn. I learned how much lies hanging over you can change what people think of you and what you think of yourself.

-Ryan K.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect- Linda Urban

Mrs. Phillips — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:00:33 +0000

Zoe Elias is an eleven year old girl who has dreamed all her life of becoming a piano prodigy. The only problem is that she doesn’t know how to play the piano and she doesn’t even have a one. When she asks her dad, who is afraid to come out of the house, he gets her a Perfectone D-60 organ which doesn’t sound nearly as good as a piano. Zoe’s dad hires an organ teacher, Mabeline Person to provide lessons. After a couple months of lessons, Ms. Person thinks that Zoe is ready for the Perform-O-Rama, which is an organ competition. While Zoe is practicing like crazy to get ready for the competition, her mom is at work, rarely has time for her, and only comes home at night. To add to the problem, there is a boy that follows her home from school every day and bakes with Zoe’s dad. Things aren’t really looking up. Will Zoe be ready for the Perform-O-Rama in time? Will her dreams come to a screeching halt? Read this book to find out.

This book was really good. It was also a little comical. I liked how Zoe was unique from the rest of her classmates. For example, she always wears socks and everyone in her class thinks they are so out of style, but Zoe wears them anyways just to be different. Zoe has made friends with people you wouldn’t expect and I think she is very tolerant of people’s differences. I like how her personality shines through the whole story and just wish that there were more “Zoes” in the world because I think she would be a great friend.

-Ryan K.

Off-Color – Janet McDonald

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:37:27 +0000

I read the book Off-Color by, Janet McDonald. I would recommend this book to more girls than boys because of the girly parts.

This book is about a girl named Cameron. Cameron’s family, her and her mom, are middle class citizens. They live in an apartment. At first Cameron is making fun of the people who are living in the projects and then she starts living in the projects too. The projects are these apartment buildings for families who can’t afford to live, because of their income. When she moves to the projects, away from her friends, while she is unpacking she sees a picture of a man. Then she figures it all out. She is African-American. Well only half way, but it still counts. She makes new friends in the “projects” while still hanging out with her old friends.

This was a great book and I hope you will think so too.

Saliha H.

Beyond the Western Sea: Book One the Escape from Home

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:54:53 +0000

The book Beyond the Western Sea by Avi is a fantastic book. It starts off in Ireland with a mom and two kids. The older sister’s name is Maura and the younger brother’s name is Patrick. Their father is in America with a home and nice job. The goal of this story is to get the kids to America with their father so they won’t be as poor. In the beginning of the story the mom decides to let the kids travel to America on their own because she had very strong catholic beliefs and thought that it would be better if she stayed back. So, soon enough, the two kids are on their way by train to Liverpool. Laurence, son of a wealthy english leader escaped home with money that he stole from his father. Maura, Patrick and Laurence all end up on the same train headed to Liverpool. They never meet each other until about half way through the story. Maura and her brother Patrick get tricked by a runner named Toggs of the “Lime Street Runners Association” into staying at a hotel that they hadn’t yet gotten reservations for. Toggs said that the hotel where they had reservations had burned down, but it was still standing. To find the rest of their wonderful adventures and find out if they make it to America read Beyond the Western Sea: Book One Escape From Home.

I think that this book would appeal to both boys and girls in between grades four and six. It is an action packed book that is full of adventure.

Blogged by,

Brooke M.

King Of Murder- Betsy Byars

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:32:28 +0000

I read the book “King of Murder” by Betsy Byars. I would recommend this book to girls and boys. It is 115 pages of great mystery telling.

Herculeah Jones can’t forget about a murder when she sees one. Every time she steps in to Hidden Treasures, a little shop with used items, she starts investigating a murder. This time she is actually investigating a murderer. Well, she thinks this guy, Mathias King a.k.a. the Murder King, is a murderer because of the stories he writes. He is so detailed in his writing that he sounds like an actual murderer. One of his stories A Slash of Life is exactly like a real murder that took place.

Is he really a murderer?

Read this amazing book to find out.

Saliha H.

The Funeral Director’s Son-Coleen Murtagh Paratore

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:48:18 +0000

The book I am doing this blog on is called “The Funeral Director’s Son” by, Coleen Murtagh Paratore. I would recommend this book to girls and boys.

This book is sort of the opposite of “The Wedding Planner’s Daughter.” This book is about a boy named Christopher whose family runs a funeral home. Christopher’s family has had this funeral home for a long time and it has been in the family since the day it was built. Christopher’s family runs a funeral home called Campbell and Sons Funeral Home. Every time he thinks about his portrait being on the wall, next to his father’s he gets this odd feeling. He hates being around dead bodies, even if he lives on the second floor of the funeral home…..

Will Christopher Campbell run the funeral home some day? Read this book to find out.

Saliha H.

Regarding the Fountain- Kate Klise

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:57:50 +0000

I just finished reading Regarding the Fountain by, Kate Klise. This book would be recommended to boys and girls.

This book is about 6 kids who need a new drinking fountain for their school. They were trying to get Florence Waters to build this fountain for them. These kids and their teacher, Mr. Sam N. were sending fountain ideas to Florence so; they could get the exact fountain they wanted. Then….. to make the fountain Florence needed somewhere to get the water from. The kids started investigating and in time for the Old Creek Days they figure out that……

To find out what shocking news they figure out and also to find out what Old Creek Days are, read this amazing book, Regarding the fountain.

Saliha H.

Every Soul a Star – Wendy Mass

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:04:00 +0000

Hey guys, I ust read this great book called Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass. This book is about 3 people Ally, a future astronomer, Bree, the popular girl, and Jack, the overweight outcast. The cool thing about this book is that in each chapter the point of view changes. Ally, Bree, and Jack meet at Moon Shadow, a campground of which Ally’s grandpa bought knowing that that will be the place that the moon will completely cover the sun. Jack goes with his science teacher just so he doesn’t have to go to summer school. Bree and Ally are a different matter. Bree is a future fashion model. She really wants to be one but to be one you have to live in the city. Bree’s mom jumps on her saying that they are going to live in the wilderness. See, Ally has grown up at Moon Shadow, she doesn’t know the outside world. So when her mom surprises her that she and her family are going back to living in the city and Bree’s parents are going to take over Moon Shadow. She and Bree start making this plan to get her their parents not to move. Will Jack have fun at Moon Shadow? Will and Ally and Bree’s plan work? Well, you gotta read this book to find out.

Blogged By Garrett T.

Nancy Drew – Nobody’s business – Carolyn Keene

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:51:12 +0000

The book I read was Nancy Drew Nobody’s business, by Carolyn Keene. This book starts out with Nancy, Ned, and her cousin Bess, helping out Ned’s friend in an old hotel. Ned’s friend Andrew, wants to change the hotel to a club where teens can hangout. But this hotel has a rumor, because fifty years ago there was a fire when someone was supposed to get married, and during the fire, the bride went missing, and everyone beleives her ghost hauntes the hotel So the next night when Nancy, Ned, and Bess went inside the hotel to see if a ghost really hauntes the hotel, they found a dead body hanging from the ceiling! So read this book Nancy Drew Nobody’s by Carolyn Keene.

– JT L.

Point Blank – Horowitz

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:49:43 +0000

When Alex Rider destroyed the Stormbreakers, He thought that he would never see the M16 again. But he was wrong. When the M16 sent Alex to spy on Point Blanc, an academy for rebellious boys in rich families, Alex has to disguise himself as Alex Friend, a son of a rich family. He goes to the academy with a bulletproof ski suit, a saw that is disguised to look like a CD player, an ear stud that is a miniature grenade, and a book that could shoot a stun dart. Alex meets a kid named James Sprintz and they become friends.

One night, he saw James taken away into a secret room but the next day, Alex finds James the same. Except that James wasn’t himself. It was like he was perfect. As he searched the academy, he found out that the owner of the academy, Dr. Grief, was cloning himself sixteen times and the clones were having plastic surgery to look like the kids in the academy. Then, Dr. Grief locks up the other real boys in a room and he is planning to send the clones of himself back to everyone of the boys’ family and keep all of the money the boys inherit to himself. Once Alex knew about this, Dr. Grief locks Alex up in a metal room planning to kill him the next morning. Alex uses his ear stud and blew a hole in the lock and escaped. He made a snowboard out of an iron board and skis down the mountain. The alarm bell rings and soon he was followed by two snowmobiles firing machineguns at him. If you want to find out if Alex survives and save the rest of the boys at the academy, read Point Blank. This is the second book of the Alex Rider series. The first book of the series is Stormbreaker, an edge of your seat book but with Point Blank, you will fall right out of your chair. This book is for people who like reading spy and action books.

Blogged by Justin

The Doy Who Dared: Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:35:03 +0000

This is a story about a 17-year-old boy named Helmuth. Who has been sent to prison for trying to expose the truth of Hitler. This book starts with a Tuesday and a mental picture of a horrible jail. The special thing about Tuesday is that’s the day the executioner works. In Helmuth’s cell is Helmuth shivering hoping he can live through this day too. Luckily, he gets through the morning. Through the book Helmuth has flash backs of when he was a kid. Some of them were happy and others were sad. What will happen? Will Helmuth make it through the whole day? You have to read this book to find out. I thought this book was ok because to me it was somewhat sad and a little sad. It would appeal to boys and girls but I thought it was just ok.

By: Zachary Mcilwain

All-Season Edie by: Annabel Lyon

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:33:14 +0000

This book is about a girl named Edie who’s life is turned upside-down when a family tragedy happens.

It all starts out while Edie is out camping with her parents. (Her “perfect” teenage sister didn’t want to come; so she’s staying with her friend, Mean Megan.) At camp, she meets a kind boy who comes camping there every year. They become great friends, and would meet eachother there everyday. However, when she has to return to home, she finds out her family is anything but normal. She believes her Grandma is a witch, her Grandpa is going insane, and her teenage sister is being her snotty little self. Although Edie wants to be involved in this witch magic, something worse happens.

Her Grandpa is in the hospital. They don’t know if he’ll live.

Will Grandpa live? Is Grandma a witch? Find out in “All-Sason Edie”

-Sophia R

Scorpia-Anthony Horowitz

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:47:36 +0000

This is the fifth book in the Alex Rider series. Alex Rider is back but this time he is in Venice. Alex still cannot forget the words Yassen Gregorovich said. “Go to Venice, find Scorpia, and you will find your destiny”. Alex wonders who or what Scorpia is. Well he is just about to find out that it is the most lethal organization in the world, and his dad was part of it. Now Alex must stop Scorpia from unleashing there latest plot, the Invisible Sword, which can bring death and chaos to the streets of London. Will Alex have the courage and strength to fight Scorpia or will Scorpia destroy thousands of innocent people? I think this book will appeal more to boys because it is full of action. My favorite part of the book is when finds out who his dad was. I enjoyed this book and I hope many people will comment.

By: Ravi M.

Letters From Camp-Kate Klise

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:26:33 +0000

I read the book Letters from Camp by Kate Klise. This book is about three sets of twins named Barbie Q and Brisket, Mimmie and Ivan, and Charlie and Charlotte getting set off to Camp Happy Harmony, which actually isn’t that happy. For example when you are there all you do is eat this nasty food and do chores all day. Until they discover that one of the camp consolers isn’t a Harmony and that the Harmony and not a Harmony are getting married. There is one more secret but you will have to read to find out what it is . If you want to know read Letters from Camp by Kate Klise. I think this book would appeal to most boys and girls. J

Lauren W.

Trial By Journal-Kate Klise

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:52:56 +0000

I read the Trial by Journal written by Kate Klise. This book is about a 6^th grade girl named Lily Watson who is on jury team because of a new law requiring a juvenile juror to serve the care involves a child victim. She is in the jury because the missing of Perry Keet and Bob white his co- worker at Tyle Park Zoo will stand trial alleged murder. If you want to know if Bob white is guilty of murder read trial by Journal by Kate Klise. I would recommend this book to more girls than boys because it doesn’t have a lot of action and death.

Lauren W.

Swindle-Gordan Korman

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:35:36 +0000

I read the book Swindle by Gordan Korman; this book is about a young sixth grader named Griffin and his friend Ben. Ben and griffin plan to have a sleepover at an old haunted house, but when they are Griffin finds a babe Ruth baseball card. Griffin thought it was fake so he went to Palomino’s Emporium to see how much it was really worth. When assistant Manager came up S. Wedell Palomino (swindle) said that it was fake and worth about $200.00 Griffin sold it to him. When Griffin went home he found out that the card was worth about 1 million dollars. Griffin decided to steal the card back, but will alarm system and mean guard dogs Griffin would have to assemble a team. Will Griffin make a team and get the card back? If you want to know if he gets his card back read Swindle by Gordan Korman. I think this book would appeal to boys and girls.

Lauren W.

Stormbreaker – Anthony Horowitz

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:27:43 +0000

Stormbreaker is a book about Alex Rider a 14 year old boy that has to go and spy on a person named Herod Sayle. Alex is spying on him because M16, the company that Alex was spying for, thinks that Sayle’s computers, the Stormbreakers, are dangerous. Alex’s uncle, Ian Rider, had been a spy too and tried to investigate but he was shot while investigating. Fortunately, a kid named Felix Lester was going to visit Sayle. The company sent Felix Lester to Florida and Alex was going to take Felix’s place. Sayle was going to ship Stormbreakers to all the schools across the country a few days after his arrival and Alex will have to investigate the Stormbreakers before Sayle sends them. With him, he has a yo-yo that is 30 yards long and could clip on to metal and metal dissolvers that is disguised as zit cream. He also has a Game Boy that can see through, rooms, send and receive messages to and from the M16, and activate a smoke bomb. As he starts searching the Stormbreakers he finds out that the Stormbreakers have a virus that holds smallpox. As soon as he finds that out, he gets into trouble. If you want to know what happens to Alex and if he destroys the Stormbreakers in time, read Stormbreaker. This book is an excellent book and will keep you reading it the minute you start!

Blogged by Justin L.

Stormbreaker – Anthony Horowits

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:32:44 +0000

Blogged by Justin L.

Raven’s Gate-Anthony Horowitz

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:31:05 +0000

It started when a boy named Matt that was arrested and sent away because he was robbing video games. He had to live with a person called Mrs. Deverell in Hive Hall, where he thinks there is a mysterious even that is going on that includes him. He goes to Lesser Malling and finds it strange because it was like everybody knew him. As things seem stranger, everyone that tries to help Matt dies. He learns from a guy named Sanjay Dravid that Mrs. Deverell and the other people that lived in Lesser Malling were witches. With a journalist named Richard, Matt has to save the world from stopping Raven’s Gate to open because if it does, it will be able to release the Old Ones. This book is a great book about magic, power, and absolute greatness. I recommend this book to people who love magic. This is the first book in the Gatekeepers series.

Blogged by Justin L.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1 By:Jeff Kinney

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:26:17 +0000

The book I read is called Diary of a Wimpy Kid by: Jeff Kinney. It is worth 3 points and the main characters are Gregory Heffly, Manny, Rodrick and Rowley Jefferson. This book is mainly about a boy named Greg, in his life trying to get through middle school quick! Greg doesn’t see this as an easy year. He goes through all kinds of adventures. Greg remembers the cheese to see if it’s still there and sure enough it is. Greg doesn’t know how the cheese got there but he does remember how the cheese touch got started. One day, this kid named Darren Walsh touched the Cheese with his finger and that’s what started this thing called the Cheese Touch. Later on in school Greg starts hanging out with this kid named Rowley. Rowley can get really pointless as a friend but he is fun to have around. It was early October and Greg couldn’t think of a costume to wear on halloween. Rowley showed up as a knight, and Greg got pretty jeolous about that. Greg tried to be a mummy, so he rapped himself in toilet paper. Then his mom came in the room with an old pirate costume, so he was pretty happy about that. He and Rowley were just planning to go by themselves but then Greg’s mom came in and told him he had to take Manny with him. Greg’s dad ended up going along with them too so Gregwasn’t too happy about that later that night these three teenagers in a van started chasing Greg and Rowley, so they ran to Greg’s grandma’s house and spent the night in her backyard. That pretty much ended their halloween, but they did get a lot of candy out of the the houses they went to. Greg later started school again and he joined the wrestling team. He hoped he didn’t get paired up with someone who had lots of experience. He didn’t, he got paired up with this nerdy kid named Fregely. Every time the gym coach blew his whistle Fregely would get pin Greg to the ground. Greg couldn’t take the wrestling so he quit that. Greg has been having a hard time in middle school as you have heard so far. So if you want to see if things get worse in Greg’s life which they might. You have to read the book Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1! If I had to rate this book from 1-10, 10 being the best I would have to rate it a 10, only because it’s a GREAT BOOK!

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Sarah L.