Alvin Ho by Lenore Look

This is a funny book about Alvin Ho, a second grader, who is afraid of everything. When his father suggests going on a camping trip, Alvin is terrified. He asks his brother, Calvin to help him be less afraid. Calvin orders special camping equipment, including night vision goggles. The camping trip was filled with some unexpected moments and Alvin learned to overcome his fears. In the end, he actually enjoyed it.


I liked this book because it is the funniest book I have ever read. Alvin met a friend while he was camping and they pretended to be superheros. His sister, who was usually annoying, was a big help on the trip. The best part was that Alvin faced his fears while having fun. If you like to laugh and like adventure, you will love this book.

Reviewer Age:10

Reviewer City, State and Country: Baltimore, MD USA

Peril on the Sea by Michael Cadnum

Sailing the seas in the summer of 1588 was a risky voyage for many people and for the heroic Sherwin Morris, it was a job that he must do. Riding on the sea vessel named Vixen, captained by the pirate/gentlemen Brandon Fletcher, Sherwin is assigned the job of writing the life story of Captain Fletcher. On their perilous journey, they manage to strike a deal with the once wealthy Sir Anthony Westing to kidnap his own vessel. They are told to hide it away from the Spaniards and other men who would love to get their hands on its precious cinnamon and spice cargo. In the mean time they are also to take his daughter, Miss Katharine Westing, along with them so she will not be caught in the middle of the Spanish Armada attack. Little did they know that they were sailing right into the Spanish Armada and who knows what lies ahead in their path.

I had hoped this book to be a lot better, but it wasn't. It lacked excitement, and seemed to linger on the same subject forever. It took me a little while longer to read it because it didn't interest me as much. It also took a long time to get to the battle scene, and when it finally did I didn't have a clue what was going on!! It did have a good story line and yes I would recommend it to someone who likes historical fiction. If you like books with a lot of action, this isn't the book for you. I would recommend this for ages 13 and up.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: , New Mexico USA

Lights, Camera, Amalee by Dar Williams

Amalee has inherited a unique memento from her grandmother, who has just passed away--a large champagne bottle filled with over a thousand dollars in coins. Told to do something special with the cash, Amalee sets out to make a movie on what she is most passionate about-- endangered species. Over the course of the summer, Amalee has fun making her movie, with help from family, friends, and neighbors along the way. She also finds a connection to her mother, whom she never got the chance to know. From behind the scenes, Amalee learns more about herself and the people closest to her.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book to read. I felt that Amalee's efforts and achievements seemed quite realistic, and this story was portrayed from a reasonable middle schooler's view. I felt that this book reflected a good theme--the importance of friends and family. In addition to that, many of the characters were fun to read about.

Unfortunately, this book was slow at times. I also noticed that this book lacked some interesting descriptions and details in parts. I would recommend this book to girls ages 10-13 because I believe that they will really be able to relate to Amalee's story of finding herself.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake Bluff, Illinois United States of America

Dessert First by Hallie Durand

Dessert First by Hallie Durand is a pleasant little book for young readers. The main character Dessert starts third grade, and her new teacher tells the class to march to the beat of their own drum. Dessert interprets this to mean that she should do whatever she wants (i.e., eat dessert before dinner at home). Drama ensues in her family with this, and Dessert ends up eating a special dish her mother made for a birthday party. To make up for this, Dessert does something very special that teaches readers a valuable lesson.

This book is great for little eyes. The thin book has large print, and it is not at all intimidating. Additionally, the black and white illustrations hold the reader's interest with great detail and often facetious depictions. Interestingly, Durand makes the text larger when characters are being loud and smaller when they are being quiet. This is unique and especially beneficial to young readers because it encompasses the full scope of the story's scenarios.

Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

One Lonely Degree by C. K. Kelly Martin

Change is gradual, and for Finn, she can never remember when everything was exactly right. She can'' remember when her parents started to fight and she doesn't recall ever being normal in school. But when Jersy (her best friend from age six) moves back into town, things start to change. Finn finally starts to like him when her best friend, Audrey, starts dating him. They date for the remainder of sophomore year, but when Audrey leaves for the summer, Finn gets closer and closer to Jersy no matter how much she didn't want to.


This is a book of love and loss, a book that depicts the teenage life of a high-school girl and a book that I couldn't put down. This is a book written for and about teenage girls. Finn experiences some of the problems that girls have today and for girls to able to read about it will give them something to connect with. I liked this book so much and didn't put it down until I was finished. So, pick up One Lonely Degreeand read about Finn's adventures through her high school experience. Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country

Tempo Change by Barbara Hall

Tempo Change is the story of a girl named Blanche Kelly who has a rock star for a father. Because he left when she was in 1st grade, no one at her school knows her dad is famous. Her mom doesn't understand that her dad, as an artist, needs space to be happy and make music and that's why he left them. Blanche is in touch with him through email but doesn't tell anyone, including her mom about it. Suddenly, Blanche decides to make a rock band for the school's talent show and they become popular enough to qualify for a big music festival. She realizes that this could be a way to see her father again and get a better chance to talk with him. More importantly, this could be a chance for him to see her and her band. Self-discovery and family issues are an important concept of this book.

I found the book really interesting and different. Blanche had a very strong voice and was also a realistic character. Throughout the book, she was sarcastic and independent, but not always completely sure of herself. She questioned herself and those around her often, showing well her confusion as a teenager and making her someone I could relate to. The other characters were also believable, because they changed their minds and went through problems with their own families or ideas. All of the people in the book sounded genuine, because of the diversity and imperfection in their personalities. Details weren't a huge part of the book, but when the author really described something, I could picture it well and tell it was important. Sometimes a little more detail was needed, but most of the time that added to the style of the book. The plot was original and the author wrote it well. I learned about the relationship between teens and their parents and would recommend this to people who don't require lots of action but like a good storyline and strong characters.

Reviewer Age: 13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Needham, Massachusetts United States

Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head

"Samantha Hansen Has Rocks In Her Head" by Nancy Viau is a fun chapter book for young readers. It recounts the scientifically passionate life of little Samantha, a tomboy in the fourth grade. She goes on a class trip to a cave, performs at a talent show, sees the Grand Canyon, and develops her first crush. In general, she is in love with rocks and earth science. Aside from the main plot events, there are also parts where Sam needs anger management, learns to get along with her sister, discovers facts about her late father.

The love of science is portrayed greatly and may inspire children to make little science journals of their own. However, the stereotype that girls are not good at math is subtly implied. In the book, Sam has problems with fractions and writes them backwards (which may confuse young readers). Also, when the journal entries are written out, some words are misspelled or have incomplete descriptions with questions. Although it may be realistic since the journals are supposed to be written by a fourth grader, they do not help young readers pedagogically.

Reviewer Age:17

Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

The Lincolns by Candace Fleming

The Lincolns by Candace Fleming is a fabulous non-fiction book about the lives of Abraham and Mary Lincoln. Everyone has heard the story of Abraham Lincoln, but I loved it because it also told the story of Mary Lincoln. It was interesting to see the contrast between Abrahams and Marys childhood. Abraham was a hard working farm boy and Mary never worked a day in her life, coming from a rich family. In this book the reader also learns about the lives of the Lincoln's sons, Tad, William and Thomas.

I liked this book because it contains hundreds of little articles. This is a book written like a scrapbook and is filled with pictures, timelines, letters, and newspaper articles. I wish the author spent more time talking about Lincoln's assassination. Still, I think this the best book for kids about both Abraham and Mary Lincoln. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves facts and biography fans.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake Bluff, IL USA

Darkborn by Alison Sinclair

Darkborn only survive in the night and burn in sunlight. Lightborn are the opposite, but some lightborn are given the power of magic. Rarely their is a darkborn mage. Darkborn and lightborn are separated, living in different worlds. If they dare enter the others' world, they will die. Darkborn alternates between Balthasar, Telmiane, and Ishmal. Balthasar is a darkborn doctor in training while Temaine is a lovely woman from the royal family. The very unusual gift Talmaine has is to touch-read peoples minds, so she insists on wearing high gloves everywhere she goes so she cant read their minds. Ishmal is a darkborn mage in training and a shadow hunter. When a former friend of Balthasar comes to him one night, pregnant with twin boys, he must take her in for the day. After the twins are born, men arrive and nearly beat Balthasar to death. When Balthasars wife, Telmaine, and Ishmal arrive and as the men were hurrying to leave, they snatched Telmaines oldest daughter from her arms. As Telmaine and Ishmal enter, they find out Telmaine is a Darkborn mage as she heals Balthasar. As Telmaine, Ishmal, and Balthasar head of to find their daughter, who kidnapped her and the limits of Telmaines power, they discover old friends that arent their friends at all.

Alison Sinclair does a wonderful job with her details that make the reader seem that they are in the scene with the characters. In the beginning of the novel, the differences between darkborn and lightborn are confusing. Too many questions come in the beginning that arent explained until later. These questions drive the reader on, curious as to what happens and what is the limit of power Telmaine possesses inside of her, waiting to come out. This book stands high among my favorite novels. I adored this book so much I am sad to see that there are more books to read till the whole mystery is figured out and happy to read more to find out how their journey ends. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves magic, love stories, fantasies, and figuring out destinies. It is a marvelous book that is perfect with detail, story line, the characters bonds, cliff hangers, and an ending that leaves the reader wanting more.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake Bluff, Illinois United States of America

Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson

Bad Girls Club was the dark, heart wrenching novel by Judy Gregerson that explored how two sisters’ lives can be changed forever by mental illness. At the beginning of the story we learn pretty quickly that Destiny and Cassidy’s mother has a mental illness and rage issues. Destiny tells us how her life falls apart while trying to keep her family together. Throughout the story we learn how her mother’s illness started and the reason why her family is so tediously working towards a better life. All members of the family are manipulated by the pressure and responsibility of taking care of her mother, that Destiny is neglected and the problems she can see disregarded. We see Destiny’s almost normal life fall apart until she has nothing to live for. To overcome their mother’s illness and a childhood of trauma and uncertainty sisters Destiny and Cassidy, must look out for each other, stick together and decide what is right for themselves.


This was a very powerful and emotive book. Bad Girls Club shows you how much of a problem mental illness can be for some families and shows you the journey one teenage girl took to overcome her familial restraints. I thought this was a capturing and moving book that gives you an insight into others pain and troubles; this book gave me a great sense of perspective and made me appreciate the family I am in. Gregerson writes with such colour and brutal description that allows you to sympathize and understand how the characters feel and the way they are interacting. She showed very well the effects abusive and negligent parents can have on children of all ages. We were also able to see the amazing road Destiny had to take to work out her own life and what was best for her precious sister. This was a worthy read filled with disturbing scenes and warming passages of strength and redemption. A book that will not soon be forgotten.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Melbourne , Victoria Australia