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Dogs Don't Tell Jokes
by Louis Sachar
This book is about a boy who is known as the class clown.
Even though people don't think that he is funny, he thinks he is.
There is only one person who thinks he is funny. There is a
talent show at his school and he wants to enter. Nobody thinks
he will win. He tries not to be funny for a week to prove to
his parents he can win. He does it and at the talent show - he
wins.
Reviewed by: Tiffany P., Grade 7, Hidden Valley
Middle School |
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Holes
by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Greenlake for stealing shoes -
only he didn't. He meets a new friend named Zero. In the
end Stanley and Zero find treasure in a hole that makes them rich.
Reviewed by: Travis B., Grade 7, Hidden Valley
Middle School |
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Mortal Prey
by John Sandford
At first I expected another suspenseful read but after I finished
Mortal Prey I realized that it had given me something more.
One of the few Sandford Prey books that almost made me cry with pity
for a lonesome professional killer who only became that way because
of the impact of her disturbed childhood. To fully understand
this book, be sure you don't forget to read Certain Prey by
John Sandford which is a sort of pre-sequel. It is an equally
exciting and suspenseful read so you'll be occupied for some time.
Enjoy these two novels and hopefully you will be hooked into this
series. Reviewed by: Ariana Z., Orange Glen High
School, Grade 10 |
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Rules of Prey
by John Sandford
My favorite book in the entire world. This is the one book
that got me hooked into the long chain of Prey books by John
Sandford. Suspenseful from the very first page and on.
Page-turners galore and plenty of chills that will keep you glued to
the book for more until you finish and it will send you to re-read
the entire book again and again. A must-read for suspense
readers and readers alike. John Sandford is far the best
author for me. I strongly recommend this to everybody:
READ IT!!!! Reviewed by: Ariana Z., Orange Glen High
School, Grade 10 |
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Rules of Prey
by John Sandford
One of the best Prey books ever. The plot is evilly twisted
with an equally demented criminal. The weather is also an
unlikely enemy in the cold winters of Wisconsin. John Sandford
at his best, I really recommend this book for mystery and suspense
fans. for me there are only two outstanding authors:
John Sandford and Stephen King. Reviewed by: Ariana
Z., Orange Glen High School, Grade 10 |
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Black Beauty
by Anna Sewell
It's about a horse named Black beauty who makes a lot of friends.
Reviewed by: Sterling S., Grade 7, Hidden Valley
Middle School |
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Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet are very much in love. In the beginning
they don't know each other as much. But as they go on seeing
each other they start to get to know each other. In the story
their still young and in love. Their dads didn't want them to
see each other at all. But they found their way around it.
They were so much in love they would give their live for each other.
Reviewed by: Jessica H., Grade 6, Del Dios Middle
School |
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The Bad Beginning
by Lemony Snicket
Three orphans (Violet, Klaus, and Sunny) lose their parents in a
tragic fire. They are sent to live with an evil guy (Count
Olaf) who plans to steal their fortune. Luckily, the orphans
strategize to defeat Count Olaf.
Reviewed by: Nancy R., Grade 7, Hidden Valley Middle
School |
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What
my mother doesn't know
by Sandra Sones
This is a book girls can relate to. It talks about the girl's
1st, 2nd, and 3rd love, and about how her mother is inattentive and
only cares about what she does on dates. This story was a really
good book and I recommend it to all teen girls.
Reviewed by: Clara F, Grade 7, Hidden Valley Middle
School
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Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli
Leo Borlock is a normal teen at a normal high school, that is
until Stargirl comes to Mica High. She brings such variation
everyone is stunned by this girl who wears bright, long, wavy skirts
and brings a ukulele to school. No one knows Stargirl but she
seems to know everyone. She sings "Happy Birthday"
with her ukulele to someone almost every day; she smiles at
strangers and dances when she wants to. Stargirl's name is
popular through the school, until the majority of the students get
tired of her happiness and way of life. Her odd and unique
personality captures Leo's heart and they fall hopelessly in love.
Suddenly, Leo realizes that the entire school has shunned them.
Stargirl doesn't seem to notice or care what others think, but Leo
finally persuades her to try and be....normal, normal Susan Caraway.
This only backfires on Stargirl and she finds herself unhappy when
she cares about what others think. She can't abandon herself.
She can't conform and again becomes Stargirl. Leo is
disappointed and avoids Stargirl. She makes one final joyful
appearance at the dance that obliterates the shunning, and then she
disappears. Stargirl is a legend that will last forever,
especially in Leo's heart.
Reviewed by: Christy C., Grade 10, Escondido Charter
High School
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Freedom Train
by Dorothy Sterling
Harriet Tubman is born into slavery, escapes, then helps other
slaves to escape. Touching and dramatic!
Reviewed by: Valerie M., Grade 5, Calvin Christian
School |
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Inuyasha
by Rumiko Takahashi
Inuyasha is a very good book. It mixes past Japan with Present
creating a Feudal Fairy Tale. Inuyasha gets its name from one of the
main stars, A half human half dog demon named Inuyasha. The other
main characters are Kagome, Kikyou, Shippo, Miroku, Sango,
Sesshomaru and the bad guy Naraku. If you like action comedy and
romance this is the book for you!
Reviewed by: Marina M, Grade 7, Woodland Park Middle
School
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Follow the River
by James Alexander Thorn
This book is about a woman who was captured by Shawnee Indians.
She was after some time favored by the Indians especially Chief
Wildcat. She was given away to two French men and she escaped
with a woman named Gretel until Mary alone got to her house and
later on Gretel was found.
Reviewed by: Karla R., Grave 7, Hidden Valley Middle
School |
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The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Not as exciting as Lord of the Rings, but you need to read it
BEFORE Lord of the Rings. It is a very exciting and
suspenseful book.
Reviewed by: Kenton S., Grade 7, Hidden Valley
Middle School |
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The Two Towers
by J.R.R. Tolkien
As the fellowship has broken, each character starts their
separate paths. Where they will end up is up to you to find
out. This is a good action-packed thriller.
Reviewed by: Mason R., Grade 7, Hidden Valley
Middle School |
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The Two Towers
by J.R.R. Tolkien
This book has good action descriptions. The best part for
me was the end. It was suspenseful and you couldn't wait until
the next page.
Reviewed by: Alex J., Grade 7, Hidden Valley
Middle School |
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The Return of the King
by J.R.R. Tolkien
The book is thrilling and a page-turner -- you just can't put the
book down! Frodo is traveling and trying to destroy the ring
while the rest of the fellowship are battling at Gondor.
Reviewed by: Andy E., Grade 7, Hidden Valley Middle
School |
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Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain
Tom Sawyer is a very good book. it takes place in the 19th
century. This book has many adventures and is very fun to
read. It has a lot of tough language, but that's okay because
it is worth it. This book is really good - so come in and
check it out!
Reviewed by: Tyler R., Grade 7, Hidden Valley Middle
School |
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20,000
Leagues Under the Sea
by Jules Verne
A scientist is taken aboard an underwater submarine as a
prisoner. Along the way he learns of all the wonders of the
sea.
Reviewed by: Chris B., Grade 10, Calvin Christian
School
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20,000
Leagues Under the Sea
by Jules Verne
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is an exciting book about a
fantastic undersea adventure. Captain Meno, Professor Aronnax,
and Ned Land have exciting times all around the ocean. This
book is good, but it can get boring if you don't understand it.
I liked the book a lot. Reviewed by: Angela M., Grade
7, Hidden Valley Middle School
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Dicey's Song
by Cynthia Voigt
Dicey's Song is a great story about a teen girl who is
trying to help her family.
Reviewed by: Sazan., Grade 7, Hidden Valley Middle
School |
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Gossip Girl
by Cecily von Ziegesar
This was an okay book. I think it was geared more towards
younger high school girls, so if you're an 8th or 9th grader then I
think you'll love this cute, girly book! But that's just my
opinion. It got a little annoying because basically the book
is just about a lot of snobby, rich kids. Reviewed by:
Jennifer @., Grade 11, Rancho Bernardo High |
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Stuart Little
by E.B. White
This book was about a mouse who belonged to a family by adoption.
He tried all he could to have the family love him. Reviewed by:
Kevin W., Grade 10, Valley High School
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A Mother to Embarrass Me
by Carol Lynch Williams
A girl hates her mother because her mother is embarrassing - and
then she (the girl) gets pregnant. This story is great and
seems to never end.
Reviewed by: Jalie S., Grade 7, Hidden Valley Middle
School |
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"This is just to say"
from
101 Classic Love Poems
by William Carlos Williams
This is a poem about a certain fruit left in the icebox saved for
someone else. The fruit was so sweet that somebody else at it.
Later this person realized he made a mistake and asked for
forgiveness for the wrong thing he had done. Reviewed by:
Eddie M., Grade 9, Summer High School |
