Kids Book Blog » Science Fiction

The Midnight Library – Voices

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:39:38 +0000

I read the book Midnight Library by Damien Graves, the main characters in this book are Kate and Kate’s mom and dad. In this story there is a girl named Kate and she was just a regular girl until one day where it all started. This day was just like any other school day but Kate was really worried about her mom. Her mom had become ill and has been for a long time, apperently not any doctor can find what is wrong with her or a cure. In the mean time some wierd things had been happening when Kate was in certain places. She would normally walk through the cemetary before school started and one day she was by a telephone pole in the cemetary. Every once and a while she would hear voices or telephone conversations in her ear like someone was talking right in front of her they would get louder and she could hear more. The voices started to make Kate curious, in fact she wanted to hear more! Could Kate read minds or was everyone hearing telephone conversations? Is Kate’s mom going to get better? To answer all these questions you have to read the book the Midnight Library – voices by Damien Graves. This was an awesome book but recommend it to mostly boys. I enjayed this booka and hope you do to!

Tunnels-Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

Mrs. Phillips — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:22:25 +0000

Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams is a great book. I enjoyed it a lot.

Tunnels is about a fourteen year-old boy named Will Burrows who has a desire for archaeological digs just like his mysterious father, Dr. Burrows. When Will and his best friend Chester Rawls are digging a tunnel in Highfield, which is where they live, Will’s parents get into a huge argument. A couple days later Will tries to look for his dad but can’t, he’s not in his office, not at home, not anywhere. He just disappears. So Will and Chester decide to investigate. While searching they find a little tunnel behind a bookcase in Will’s dad’s office. Once their deep into the tunnel they find something, not his dad but an underground city called the Colony. They face many obstacle and meet many friends and dangerous enemies. Will they find Will’s dad or end up running for their lives? If you want to find out you got to read Tunnels. This book is adventerous, thrilling, and has a lot of secrets behind the characters. I would recommend this to both boys and girls of any age, though it’s a bit long. This is the first book of a three part series. The other two books are Deeper and then Freefall. Read this book, it’s one of my favorites.

Deeper-Rodrick Gordon and Brian Williams

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:52:43 +0000

Deeper by Rodrick Gordon and Brian Williams is the sequel to Tunnels.

In Tunnels, Will Burrows, a kid with a passion to dig, and Chester Rawls, Will’s friend, investigate the disappearance of Will’s father. But what he finds is an underground city called the Colony.

Now in Deeper, Will, Chester and Cal wander the fiery pits below the Colony, called the Deeps, in search of Will’s father and a way out of the Deeps. They meet friends, enemies, and a plot to destroy all Topsoilers (people who live on top of the earth’s surface). Can Will, Chester, and Cal be able to save all of the Topsoilers or will the Topsoilers, Will, Chester, and Cal be killed? Find out by reading Deeper. I liked this book a lot because there is suspense, adventure, and secrets about the characters. I would recommend this book to boys and to girls. This book is a bit long, but if you like the series, then you will finish it in no time. Also look for the next book in the series Freefall.

Blogged By Ravi M.

Life As We Knew It – Susan Pffefer

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:42:14 +0000

This whole book is Miranda’s Diary and her side of the story when life as she knows it, comes to an end. In the beginning of the book a meteor hits the moon, knocking it out of it’s own orbit, knocking it closer to the earth, therefore changing the climate of earth drastically. When Miranda and her family hear this they go to the grocery store hoping to stock up on food for the upcoming times.They get a lot of food but waste gas, which is up to 10 dollars a gallon! They get through the spring and fall, learning new things happening to the world, like volcanos erupting, ash going into the air, and making it hard to breathe. Suddenly near the middle of Winter, they run out of food!!! Will Miranda and her family make it through the Winter? Well you’ll have to find out by reading this book, Life as we Knew it, by Susan Pffefer.

Blogged By Garrett T.

Kingdom Keepers II Disney at Dawn-Ridley Pearson

Mrs. Phillips — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:56:53 +0000

Kingdom Keepers II Disney at Dawn by Ridley Pearson is the sequel to Kingdom Keepers Disney After Dark. Finn, Maybeck, Willa, Charlene, and Philby are 5 kids who are DHI’s, which stands for Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging. Amanda and Jez are sisters who have special powers.

This book starts off when Finn and the other DHI’s are on a float a the Magic Kingdom’s DHI-Day parade. Finn sees Amanda and Jez trying to tell them something and sees monkeys chasing them. For some reason, Amanda keeps pointing to Cinderella’s castle and the lightning storm. After Amanda places a green leaf on her face, Finn knew what she was trying to tell them. Amanda and Jez were trying to tell Finn and the others that the evil Maleficent was inside the castle. So, the DHI’s try to sneak off the float without being spotted. Finn and Philby try to sneak into the castle, but a Cast Member tries to stop them. Finn and Philby succeed to get upstairs and see Maleficent trying to cast a spell. Maleficent escapes from Finn and Philby. While Finn and Philby were trying to catch Maleficent, Amanda and Jez were running to the castle. After a while Amanda realizes that Jez was not getting wet or slipping. Amanda tried to touch Jez but her hand went right through her like a hologram. Everyone met up soon after that and said they would meet up on VMK at midnight. Two minutes before midnight Finn logged on and saw an uninvited guest and the uninvited guest was actually Wayne, who has been missing for a long time now. Wayne told Finn that the Overtakers gained control again and obtained DHI technology. When Finn told Wayne about what happened to Jez he said that the Overtakers must have made a DHI of her. After he was done talking to Wayne, he saw the other DHI’s waiting for him and shared with them what Wayne had said. All of them agreed to meet up at Animal Kingdom because that’s where they think Jez is trapped. They think they trapped Jez in Animal Kingdom because Maleficent needs to stay cold and there are several attractions that are kept quite chilly. Finn went to Amanda’s house to tell her what their plan was. Amanda says that she lives alone with Jez and they are both Fairlies which means fairly human and they have special powers. Jez has the power to dream the future. If you want to know if they free Jez and learn more about Amanda and Jez’s special powers read the book Kingdom Keepers II Disney at Dawn by Ridley Pearson. I would recommend this book to both boys and girls. ENJOY!

-Jamie A.

The Hungry Games – Suzanne Collins

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:22:05 +0000

This book, The Hunger Games, is about a girl named Katniss Everdeen who lives in District 12, a city famous for coal mining. She lives in a country where the rulers host an annual survival competition called the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a test of survival where you are put into an arena with several other combatants and you all fight to the death. If you win you become rich, if you lose Katniss and her friend, Gale, are the only people keeping their families alive in district 12 because they are poor. When her sister, Prim, gets chosen to be a combatant in the Hunger Games, Katniss decides to take her place and go instead because she doesn’t want Prim to go through all of that suffering. But she didn’t expect to wear flames for the opening ceremony, being mentored by a drunk, or falling in love. Will she win and save her family from poverty? Or will she die and let her family and friends down? To find out read The Hunger Games. This book would be mainly for boys because there is a lot of adventure, but girls would like it too. Lastly I would rate this book an 11 out of 10.

Blogged by Garrett T.

The People of Sparks – Jeanne DuPrau

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:47:03 +0000

In this book Lina and Doon gave the people of Ember the message on how to get out of the city. Soon everyone had arrived out of the city. This is when everyone set out to find a town and came across the village of Sparks. Now the people of Sparks don’t like the Emberites that much but finally agree to take them in for six months. Most of the people of Ember are allowed to stay at the run down Pioneer Hotel. At first everything went fine, besides the hot weather of course. Most people disliked the people of Ember though. Soon arguing broke out and then Doon was accused of throwing tomatoes at a building. From this point on the people of Ember are treated unfair. They have smaller meals, forced to work harder, and are accused for stuff they didn’t do. Later someone writes muddy words on the village plaza and then someone wrote the words “GO BACK TO YOUR CAVE” with burnt wood on the side of the hotel. A boy named Tick wanted to have war with the people of Sparks. Apparently the people of Sparks have a secret weapon. This book would appeal to boys and girls that enjoy reading about adventure books. To find out what happens read the book The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau.

Blogged by Chase O

Dare to Be Scared By San Souci

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:05:11 +0000

The book that I read was Dare to Be Scared Thirteen stories to chill and thrill By San Souci. The book has some of the most knock your socks off tall-tales stories ever like Nighttown, The Halloween Spirit, and The Caller. I would say that The Caller is the best and the scariest story in the book. It is about a girl who steals her dead grandmother’s ruby ring to not remember her but to show it off to her friends, and now The grandmother is coming back for it. I reccomend this book to the ages of 8-12 because of it’s scary stories giving nightmares but also because of it’s not so scary “I’m too brave for this” older kids.

-Nabil S.

The Empty Mirror-James Lincon Collier

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:16:06 +0000

The book The Empty Mirror By: James Lincon Collier is about a boy named Nick who has lost his reflection in the mirror. He does not want anyone to know, but since his friend Gypsy witnissed it he is the only one who he can talk about it. Nick gets in trouble for throwing stones at the church even though he knows he did not do anything. He is scared that he is sleep walking, but later on he figures out that his reflection has escaped and is doing sins to his name. The priest at his church punished him for breaking the windows by making him clean the grave yard next to the church. Every time he goes to the church he sees a zoom fly by and push down the grave of Jared Solters. He did research and figured out that Jared Solters was a man who died during a spreading disease called the Flu Epedemic. He wants to know why the zoom A.K.A his reflection is pushing down that grave everytime. He thinks it has something to do with the Flu Epedemic, but everytime he asks they say that the Epedemic has passed and we don’t need to worry. If you want to know if he finds out about Jared Solters and cathes his reflection read The Empty Mirror By: James Licoln Collier.

-Nabil S.

Franny K. Stein (The Invisible Franny)- Jim Benton

Mrs. Phillips — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:31:37 +0000

Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist. She has everything a mad scientist could want; a giant invisible gecko, an eye-puller-outer, toenail enlarger, and much, much more! her class was going to have a “hobby day”: where everyone brinngs in, or acts out, something that represents thier hobby. Franny is very excited and can’t wait to see all of the cool and gross mad science things her classmates must like. However, much to her surprise, Franny finds out that her classmates like boring things. They like stuff like baking “pretty cookies” and tapdancing, or even something as boring as collecting stamps.

Franny needs to show this class the best hobby in the world- MAD SCIENCE!!!!!! She uses her latest inventions and skills. She turns herself invisible, and makes her classmates build a double headed robot. Only to find out they are clueless. Putting ketchep in the brain was NOT a good idea. Will it be a success? Or will the school burn down in flames?!

Read.

Blogged by Sophia R

The Transall Saga – Gary Paulsen

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:49:19 +0000

As 13 year old Matt Harrison finally get to go on a 7 day trip across the old Magruder Missile Range, he fell into a blue light that transports him to what Matt thinks is a different planet but later told it was the future. Matt finds some arrow people that looks like Indians and he gets invited to live with them. A few days later, the Tsook captured the arrow people and took them as slaves. Matt was also a slave and escaped. As he was escaping, some Rawhaz were coming to attack the Tsook. Matt didn’t want the village to be destroyed by the Rawhaz. Matt ran back to the village and warned the people about the Rawhaz. After the fight with the Tsook and the Rawhaz, Matt was given his freedom and the Merkon the ruler of the Tsook came to see Matt. There was a big feast the night the Merkon came. Matt asked the Merkon about the blue light and the Merkon told him that the light will strike at any random time. The Merkon asked Matt to visit his palace. When Matt did, the Merkon tried to kill Matt. Would Matt die? Would Matt kill the Merkon? Read The Transall Saga to find out.

blogged by Justin L.

H.I.V.E.-Mark Walden

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:11:28 +0000

H.I.V.E. stands for the Higher Institute of Villainous Education and that is exactly where Otto Malpanese is taken to. H.I.V.E. only recruits the best of the best, the most cleverest of the cleverest, and the most smartest of the smart to come to this school. In the beginning Otto suddenly wakes up to find himself very dizzy and in a helicopter with one other kid. The two kids introduce themselves and Otto finds that the kid’s name is Wing. Both of them are very dizzy. When the helicopter lands they are dropped off on a volcano! They see a whole bunch of other kids and don’t know where they are. Later they find out that they are at the school, (you guessed it!) H.I.V.E.! Soon they start to make friends and all of them start to tell each other what kind of bad thing they did to get into this school. For example Nella, a stuck up girl, broke into many jewelry stores and stole stuff that was very valuable. They all traded stories until it was Otto’s turn. For some reason he doesn’t know how he got in trouble! Well, I’ll have to stop there because I don’t want to give the whole story away. If you want to find out what Otto did to get him into H.I.V.E. then you have to read this book. I think this book is for anyone as long as you like adventure stories.

Happy reading!

Blogged By Garrett T.

Animorphs-K.A. Applegate

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:32:26 +0000

The story Animorphs by K.A. Applegate is about these aliens called Hork Bajir. There is one Hork Bajir named Aldrea and she is the main character. Aldrea’s father needs to go to a different planet to train to become a warrior. Aldrea gets inspired by her father and wants to become a warrior just like him. There is one problem and that is Aldrea also wants to be like every other female Hork Bajir and she knows that girls are not born to be warriors. Every girl should have a tail blade smaller than males and to not do any fighting. Aldrea’s father thinks if Aldrea wants to become a warrior then he should take his whole family with him. Aldrea gets into wild adventures and morphs into other animals. Aldrea’s father gets asked to go into this one place called Father Deep or known as The Deep. Father Deep is a place that no Hork Bajir has made it out of there alive. Aldrea and her family made it past the guardiansof Father Deep and made it past where any Hork Bajir has gone. Aldrea’s biggest challenge is getting in a fight with a Yeerk. A Yeerk can take over any humans body. I will not tell you any more of the story because I want you to go and get this adventurous story.

-Alexandra C.

The Supernaturalist-Eoin Colfer

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:25:24 +0000

In the future, a young orphan named Cosmo Hills escapes from a terrible orphanage. In the orphanage the boys are tested on and worked to exhaustion. While he is escaping he falls from a rooftop and is about to die. But he sees things in the air that are sucking his life. That’s when a group of kids shows up. They start to shoot the things so he won’t die. Later he finds out that the things are parasites that suck people’s life only when they are hurt. The group of kids are called the Supernaturalists. Their group consists of the leader, Stefan, the medic, Ditto, and the kid Mona. The Supernaturalists patrol the city wiping out parasites when they are needed. But is that actually what they are supposed to do? Well if you want to find out you have to read this book. I think this book would be mainly for boys but girls can read it too. Happy Reading!

Blogged by Garrett T.

Hannah West on Millionaire’s Row- Linda Johns

Mrs. Phillips — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:27:01 +0000

This book is the fourth and last book so far in the series Hannah West. This book takes place in Seattle, Washington just like the rest. It is about a twelve year old girl who is a professional house sitter with her adoptive mom Maggie West. This book starts when Hannah and her mom move into a mansion on Millionaire’s Row. Then one day the neighbor’s houses have been broken into. It was really weird because nothing was stolen just the furniture was rearranged into Feng Shui and a rock was left in every house that was broken into. After the first house was rearranged Hannah, her mom Maggie, and best friend Lily found out that a TV show was being taped on Millionaire’s Row. then people would get to bring their precious item and see how much the stuff was worth. After part of the show was taped 2 things were actually stolen not the furniture being rearranged but the stuff was stolen. Who is the thief? Is it Louise (one of the neighbors practicing Feng Shui) or is it Gloria (an innocent neighbor). Who is it? Read the book to find out. ENJOY!!!
This book is Mystery.
-Saliha

Hannah West in the Center of the Universe- Linda Johns

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:42:36 +0000

Well this book is the third in the series and takes place in Fremont. Which is not actually the center of the universe but is know as it. So, about the book the mystery to be solved is that there is a dog stealer out there somewhere. The detective is 12-year-old Hannah West a professional house sitter, dog sitter, and baby sitter. Well the first dog that was stolen was Ted’s dog. Ted is Hannah’s new neighbor. Well then Hannah puts up posters of her business of dog sitting and of Ted’s missing dog. Then at this one store someone keeps taking the posters down. Is that the store that stole the dog? You will have to read the book to find out.

I will recommend this book to girls and boys. And I would recommend the first and second book first.

Saliha H.

Hannah West in Deep Water

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:08:03 +0000

Well this book takes place in Seattle and is about a girl named Hannah West. Hannah West is a professional house sitter with her adoptive mom Maggie West. She is a great dog sitter and baby sitter. This mystery is about a movie taking place where Hannah lives and dead fish. Even though these two things seem like they have nothing to do with each other they do. The movie stars find dead fish in the water that is part of the set of the movie. How are these fish dying?? Hannah found her new mystery to solve. She does see people in black suits a lot and then people dumping stuff in the water. Are they the ones killing the fish? Read the book to fid out.

I would recommend this book to girls and boys but recommend the first book first.

Saliha H.

Among the Hidden-Margaret Pederson Haddix

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:02:28 +0000

This book is about a hidden boy named Luke. Luke is the third child in his family, so he has to hide. There is a law that says that your not allowed to have more than three children. The “Population Police” will come and take you away if they find out. The government came up with this law because there was not enough food to feed everyone in the U.S.. But, when the Barons(really rich people) move into some new houses in Luke’s neiborhood, Luke meets a new friend who also happens to be a third child in hiding. Her name is Jennifer(but she goes by Jen) and she wants to start a rally in front of the government. She knows 40 other children who will join her. Will Luke join Jen and go to the rally? Will anything happen to Jen? Find out by reading Among the Hidden by: Maragaret Pederson Haddix. This book is great for both boys and girls and is a quick read. It is also the first book in the Shadow Children series. I HIGHLY recomend it.

Blogged by: Kimi T.

Messenger-Lois Lowry

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:18:49 +0000

This is the sequel to Gathering Blue. Matty is a young boy. He lives with a blind man whom everyone calls Seer in a place called Village. In this place, people are usually kind and help others. Matty dreams of becoming the messenger of Village. The messenger is the person who goes back and forth through the woods to send messenges to other villages. Matty is the only person who can go safely through the woods. For some reason, when other people try to go through the woods, they get injured and hurt. Over time, Matty realizes that some people of Village are starting to change. They are no longer nice and kind, but are turning cruel. Pretty soon, these people want to make Village unwelcome to visitors! Matty only has a little amount of time to get Seer’s daughter Kira before the gate closes. He and Kira will have to use their special gifts to get back to Village. I really enjoyed reading another great book by Lois Lowry. I recommend to both boys and girls who have read the other books in the series.

Emily N.

The Giver-Lois Lowry

Mrs. Phillips — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:14:12 +0000

Where Jonas lives, life is predictable, safe, and orderly. People hardly make their own choices; every aspect of a person’s life is carefully planned. Everything’s decided for them by the Committee of Elders. Where Jonas lives, there is no snow or sunshine, no colors or music, no animals or nature, and worst of all, no love. In December, Jonas and the other Elevens will become Twelves and they will be assigned jobs for them to do in the community. They will have many responsibilities. Jonas is chosen to have the most honored, mysterious, and important job: The Receiver of Memories. A Receiver of Memories is the one person with access to memories of the past. Jonas begins his training with the current Receiver whom he calls Giver. Giver gives memories of the past to Jonas – memories of things that Jonas never knew of. At first, Jonas receives memories of good, happy things like love and sunshine. But the Giver must also give Jonas memories of loneliness, wars, poverty, hunger, grief, and rage. He will have to carry the burden of knowing the pain. Jonas realizes that the community he lives in is not all it seems. He also realizes that there are different and better ways to live. This book is a really fantastic book, but it is hard to understand. It’s a book that I’m sure you’ll never forget. I recommend it to both boys and girls.

Emily N.

The People of Sparks-Jeanne DuPrau

Mrs. Phillips — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:27:07 +0000

The People of Sparks is the sequel to The City of Ember and let me tell you about it. As from The City of Ember, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow found a world full of light and weird creatures, totally different from the city of Ember where there was no sun or creatures. They left a message in Ember telling them where they were and after a few days, everyone from Ember emerged from underground [Ember was a city underground] and they traveled on for days until they found a city, The city of Sparks. The people of Sparks were willing to let them stay in the city, but there was too much people and Sparks couldn’t possibly feed all of them. Plus, where would the Emberites eat and sleep? Finally, Sparks made a decision that the Emberites would stay for six months, in a hotel, and work for food so when they leave, they would know how to harvest crops and make a new city. But the Sparks and the Emberites aren’t eating enough and they’re working too hard. Then, the Sparks start attacking the Emberites and so they fight back until all of this leads to war. But Lina and Doon doesn’t like this; they don’t want this. They don’t want to ruin this beautiful city. So, is courage and strength enough for Lina and Doon to stop this war? Please read this book and I recommend this book to all children. I hope you’ll learn that violence isn’t the right answer, it’ll just lead to hatred and nothing will come out of it. Please Enjoy!

Kelly H.

Gathering Blue-Lois Lowry

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:25:52 +0000

Kira is an orphan with a twisted leg. Before she was born, her father Christopher was taken away by beasts. After Kira’s mother dies of disease, Kira is worried if her life will be spared by the Council of Guardians. Because of her twisted leg, many people thought that she would just bring trouble if she lived. But Kira has a special talent: she is a very gifted weaver. So the Council of Guardians give Kira the task of mending a very special robe that The Singer wears during The Gathering. Her talent keeps her alive and brings certain privileges. But Kira soon realizes that the world she lives in is filled with secrets and mysteries. This book is very interesting and I really enjoyed it. It’s filled with drama, suspense, and is a really great book.

Emily N.

The City of Ember – Jeanne DuPrau

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:04:20 +0000

On Assignment Day, a day where 12 year-olds are assigned jobs, Lina Mayfleet’s desperation for wanting to be a messenger finally pays off! Doon Harrow trades his job, messenger, with Lina’s job, pipeworker, because he wants to be useful to Ember and make the blackouts stop. Ember barely has any electricity and its running out of foods and supplies. One afternoon, Lina’s grandmother starts rummaging through stuff and Poppy, Lina’s sister, finds a beautiful box with some important papers in it. Poppy likes to chew on things and so she chews on the paper. Lina figures out that these papers are important and that they could lead to another world where they don’t need anything. Where everything is there and the skies are blue. Read along as Lina and Doon find out the puzzle to the instructions and as they journey underground through dark tunnels to this mysterious, new world. I recommend this book to all young adults and I hope they’ll journey along with Lina and Doon. Enjoy!

Kelly H.

.Hack 1 infection-Mui Kawasaki

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:51:09 +0000

In the book .Hack or Hack a girl named Akira who loves tennis starts playing a game called The World. She started playing because her brother Fumikazu has gone into coma so Akira starts playing to find out what happened to her brother. Then she starts having dreams of an injured girl carrying a sword. So once she starts she creates a character named Blackrose. When she enters The World she meets two real friendly-like people named Chimney and Nova so they teach Akira how to play. On her second time playing she meets a guy named Kite whos friend also went into coma. So they try to find out why people have been going into coma. Will they find out why they went into coma?

Blogged by,
Tanner S.

The Giver- Lois Lowry

Mrs. Phillips — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:01:22 +0000

This book, The Giver, is about a boy named Jonas. It was the time of the year of the special ceremony. He was now eleven and will soon to turn into twelve.
Jonas will then be an adult with many responsibilities. He was given the job of the receiver, which is very important. But he will have to work alone. He will have no time for playing. He soon receives lessons from the former receiver, which is now known as the giver. The giver somehow gives Jonas memories of the past. The past where everything was different. None of the other people, except him and the giver, have known of this. But later on, the memories begin to sink in. The pain starts to attack Jonas. Jonas has never known of wars with soldiers dying. He saw the memory of soldiers and animals bleeding to death because of the wars. He is now afraid. With this new knowledge, how will Jonas live his life? What decisions will he make? Well, you will have to read this book to find out! This was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it. It may be a bit scary or confusing, but you’ll get it. Just read more! Please enjoy! I know I did! ^_^

-Kelly H.

The Schwa Was Here-Neal Shusterman

Mrs. Phillips — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:45:46 +0000

Anthony Bonano (nicknamed ‘Antsy’) was just a normal eighth-grader living in Brooklyn. Until he meets Calvin Schwa (nicknamed ‘The Schwa’) who is invisible. Well, not exactly invisible, because you can still see him if you concentrate. But he’s just really, really unnoticeable. I guess you could call him invisible-ish. Everybody has weird stories about why he is the way he is, and what happened to his mother. People started paying The Schwa to do dares that have to do with his “invisiblishness,” and Antsy would be his manager. Things seem to be going okay… until someone dares him to sneak into the scary Old Man Crawley’s apartment and bring back a dog bowl from there. They get caught and have to walk Crawley’s huge dogs for 12 weeks. When Antsy asks The Schwa what happened to his mom, Schwa gets really uncomfortable and just tells Antsy that his mom dissapeared when he was five. When Crawley’s handicapped granddaughter named Lexie comes to town, Crawley asked Antsy to be her personal escort. Even though they realized that Lexie’s grandfather had set them up, Schwa becomes jealous of Antsy and Lexie’s relationship. So he once throws a fit and tells Antsy that he’s tired of being “invisible”and that he doesn’t want to be forgotten and end up like his mother. When he plans something big to get himself noticed, that horribly doesn’t work. But a butcher in a supermarket knew the story about The Schwa’s mother that would change his life forever… The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman is a hilarious story will make you laugh out loud! It would definitely appeal to both boys and girls. It does have some mild language, but it’s not really that bad. It is told in the first person by Antsy and is the absolute kind of offbeat story that I love, and I know that you will love too when you read it.

Emily N.

Dread Locks-Neal Shusterman

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:08:14 +0000

When Parker Baer meets an interesting girl with long, glimmering spirals of golden hair that look like snakes named Tara, strange things start happening at his school. Tara’s new “friends” develop strange new habits like eating dirt, drinking a lot of milk, and becoming very dull and boring. Parker gets sucked into Tara’s world and gets turned into the thing that Tara has been for many years. This wild thriller makes you want to keep reading and reading, and also keeps you awake at night! I think both boys and girls will like this book and I really recommend it. To say more about the story would spoil the spooky fun. So let the twist unravel itself and leave you as still as a statue.

Emily N.

The Giver-Lois Lowry

Mrs. Phillips — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:46:04 +0000

This story takes place in the future. The world is perfect for Jonas and there is no sickness or thieves. The thing is, the story is very hard to understand.This is a great book and I highly recommend it if you can understand it. This book is not very long, so you can read it pretty quickly.

blogged by Garrett T.

Gathering Blue – Lois Lowry

Mrs. Phillips — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 01:37:33 +0000

This story is about a girl named Kira who lives in a village. One of Kira’s legs is deformed so she can’t walk. Pretty soon her mom dies and she must go to the council of elders to see if she can stay in the village or die. Her village does not use years to determine how old they are instead they use syllables. Kira’s best friend was Matt. Matt as you can see is one syllable old.

I think this book is good for girls and boys. Its storyline isn’t as hard to follow as the Giver’s storyline . I would give this book 7.3 out of ten as ten being great and one being not so good. Thank you for reading my blog. Have a nice day!