BOOK REVIEWS

Michelle H.
    Book: The Cay   Author: Theodore Taylor

    This is a story about a boy named Philip and an old West Indian man named Timothy.   Philip is stranded on an island with  Timothy after the ship they are on is torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II.  Both Timothy and Philip live on this island, or cay, where they struggle for survival. The book is named for the cay where they have to survive.

    In the novel, The Cay, Timothy and Philip are the two main characters . The settings in the story are Curacao, a ship, a lifeboat and the cay. It takes place near the Dutch Antilles near Venezuela. This is an exciting, fun and moving story that will fill your heart with sorrow and happiness. In the story, after the ship is torpedoed, Philip is struck on the head by a wood board leaving him blind. It is also a story of Philip's efforts to adapt to his blindness and also understand the wise, caring and loving man who was his companion.  At certain parts of the book the conflict would be person versus person, person versus self and person versus nature. In the story there is a death during a storm. When you first begin to read the book some things the characters say maybe hard to read or understand. If I were to rate this book on scale 1-10, I would give this book a 10.  I recommend this book to children 8 years and older because some parts maybe scary for young kids.

Summary:
Chapter1-Philip has school because German U-boats were around the border of Curacao.
Chapter2-Philip's mother did not want to live in Curacao anymore, Philip's mother took Philip on a boat to Virginia
Chapter3-The boat was torpedoed.
Chapter4-Philip meets Timothy, Philip becomes blind.
Chapter5-Timothy and Philip hear a motor.
Chapter6-Timothy sees an island.
Chapter7-They land on the island.
Chapter8-Timothy makes a hut.
Chapter9-Philip yells at Timothy.
Chapter10-There was a tropical storm.
Chapter11-Timothy made a cane for Philip.
Chapter12-Timothy had a fever.
Chapter13-They counted pebbles that they had thrown in a can.
Chapter14-The waves told Timothy there was storm coming.
Chapter15-Timothy dies.
Chapter16-Philip digs a grave for Timothy.
Chapter17-Philip kept counting pebbles the way Timothy did.
Chapter18-Philip wanted to die.
Chapter19-Philip was rescued.
I believe that people  should read this book.

Ilya G.
    Book: The Cay   Author: Theodore Taylor

    Torpedoes, boats, a young blind boy stranded on an island, hurricanes, and sharks, all these and even more dangerous things can be found in The Caywritten by Theodore Taylor.  This is a book for only brave people...  Nah, just kidding.  This is a book for people who like adventure and love books with suspense.  I recommend this book to people over 9, because they might not understand the dialect that one of the characters uses when he speaks.  This is a really suspenseful book with a lot of action. This book is very descriptive so that you can imagine what the island looks like.

Kristin W.
    Book: The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
   Author: Stephen King

    Warning: For mature children only!  Another amazing, bone chilling story by Stephen King!  This tale is so wonderfully written that you would never want to imagine being lost in the woods. Anyone who has ever been lost in the woods or is afraid of being lost in the woods should not read this story.  Anyone who cannot stand the mention of blood should not read this story!

    Stephen King took the hard, scary facts of life and turned them into an amazing story about a young girl who is lost in the woods.  As you read on, you will find how the young girl surived in the treacherous woods!

    This book can be found in your public library and in book stores.

    Note that the rating of this book is 1-3 stars.

                              ***
Adam E.
    Book: The Hobbit    Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

    Magic, wizards, monsters, goblins, dragons, dwarfs and more can be found in The Hobbit written by J.R.R Tolkien. I feel this is a mature book for ages 10-14.  The story is about a hobbit named Biblo Baggins.  A hobbit is a mythical creature that lives in a hole; he talks and walks and lives a good life.  He loves to drink tea and eat coffee cakes.  One day a wizard named Gandalf asks Biblo to go on an adventure. The wizard wants Biblo to go on this adventure with 13 dwarfs, 1 wizard and one hobbit, Biblo Baggins. They set off over the mountains through goblin dungeons and caverns and through the forest to the dragon's gold.   There are many stories within the story and it keeps your interest.   On a scale of 1-10 I feel it should be rated a 7.
 

Jeffrey T.
   Author: Theodore Taylor   Book: The Cay

    If you like adventure books mixed with history then this is the book for you. In this book there are two main characters and their names are Philip and Timothy. This story is about a boy, Philip, and a man, Timothy. They both have to survive on an island.  This island is surrounded by a dangerous reef that prevents ships from reaching it.  They are originally stranded with only a water keg and a few matches, and to make matters worse, Philip is blind. When Timothy talks Philip can barely understand him because, as a West Indian, he speaks an dialect of English spoken in the Caribbean. This is a very good book. On a scale of 1 to 10 I think this book is a 9 in my opinion.

Aaron G.
    Author: Todd Strasser
   Book:Y2K9 The Dog Who Saved The World

    If you like adventurous exciting and fuuny books this is definitely the book for you.  Byte the dog is not your usual dog.  Byte used to be a top secret agent for the AIA, but now he just likes to go on the Internet and chat with his friends. One night when Byte was chatting with his friends, he got an instant message.  The person who sent it was Bytes's old agent Lassie.  Lassie said that the AIA needed Byte for a mission.  Byte could not believe what he was reading. Lassie told him to find 3 friends to help him with his mission.  Byte eventually chose 3 friends with whom he chats online. Will Byte and his friends be able to save the world?  This "cyber-story" is a must read.

Scale from 1-10: In my opinion this book is a perfect 10.

Zakaria A.
    Author: Carol Ryrie Brink    Book: Caddie Woodlawn

    When we enter a year in Caddie Woodlawn's life on the farm in Wisconsin, we find a great deal of adventure. There is also suspense and danger because there is a threat of war with the Indians.    A prairie fire also threatens to burn    their farm. This book, however also brings a lot of laughter.
    Caddie is a young, mischievous girl.  Her mother often wishes that she would behave like a well mannered young lady.  She gets into embarrassing situations like the time she burst through the dining room door with a dirty face and her hair all tangled, spilling the nuts she had gathered across the dining room floor.  She had forgotten that her family was having company for supper.

    Caddie however, teaches us through this story that it is fear that stirs up hate, and makes people want to fight.  But trust and love can help people live in harmony. It is a very entertaining story, and I am sure that everyone will enjoy reading it.

Siobhan K.
 Author: Roald Dahl     Book: Matilda

    Matilda is a little girl who loves to read. Matilda has the kind of parents that don't care about her.  They would leave her alone at home all day. While her mom was at bingo, her dad was work (selling second hand cars) and her brother was at school. Matilda  read every book in the house.  Then she found the directory to the libary. When everyone was gone she would go to the nearest library without telling anyone.

    Matilda carefully crossed all the streets until she got to the libary.  There she would go every day after her parents left the house.  She continued to do this until she was 6 years old when her parents let her go to school.  The school principal was the meanest person ever. She would grab children by their hair and throw them.  Boy was she mean. Matilda thought her teacher would be mean but she was wrong.  The teacher was nice and caring.

   I recommend this book to people 8 years and older. This book is very good (and it might be long) but you'll have fun reading it. It has so much action you will feel you are right there with Matilda and her friends.

Andrea N.
  Author: E.B. White    Book: Charlotte's Web

    If you like books about fictional characters, you might like to check out Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. This book is about a pig named Wilbur, and of course, a spider named Charlotte.  Both Wilbur and Charlotte become good friends, but it's Charlotte who saves the day when Wilbur is about to become bacon.  To find out what happened to Wilbur and Charlotte you have to read this book.    I recommend this book for ages 8 to 12.

Elizabeth F.
    Author: Marguerite Henry    Book: Sea Star Orphan of Chincoteage

    Sea Star Orphan of Chincoteage is an exiting story of horses in Chincoteague Island in Virginia, by Marguerite Henry. Sea Star Orphan of Chincoteage is about Misty, a famous filly.  Maureen and Paul Beebe, the children who own Misty, have to give her up.  She is being sold for a movie. When searching for oysters Maureen and Paul find something better than a birthday present.  If you read the story, you will find out what it is. This book is for children 7 years and older. Adults can read it too.  The novel is based on a true story although some parts are fiction. I am sure most of the people out there will fall in love with Marguerite Henry's writing style. If you enjoy this book, she wrote 58 more books!  Another book about Misty is Misty of Chincoteague.

Daniel E.
    Author: J.K. Rowling    Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a magical, exciting story that stirs your imagination. Harry lives a very miserable life with his horrible aunt and uncle and their selfish and mean son, Dudly. His life turns around when he receives a letter inviting him to a magical, mysterious place that changes his life. J.K. Rowlings characters take you to a world of mystical and super natural people and places. Her story will make you dizzy with its twists and turns, suspence and thrills. This book is a great for ages 8 to 12.  Like Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling is a wizard that delights all of her readers.

Marilyn H.
    Author: William Goldman    Book: The Princess Bride

    A young boy is sick and his grandfather comes to his house to read him a story.  The story is about a farm boy named Wiesly and a girl named Buttercup who love each other. Wesley goes away to make money so that he can return and live with Buttercup on a farm. Years later Buttercup hears that Wesley died. Then the prince chooses Buttercup to be his bride. She does not love him. The only thing that makes her happy is to ride her horse. One morning while she is riding her horse she meets pirates who want to start a war. They capture her and sail away.   The pirates are named Fezzik and Enego. Their leader was Vizzini.

    It turns out that Wesley had never died, so when he hears Buttercup has been kidnapped, he goes to rescue her.  He saves her but at the same time the prince is looking for her. When the prince finds Buttercup is with Wesley he is angry. Buttercup makes the prince promise not to hurt Wesley if she returns to the castle and he agrees.  The prince, however, lies.   Wesley is sent to be tortured. Enego and Fizzek wanted to help Wesley save Buttercup so they take him to the Miracle Max, a kind of wizard ho makes a pill to bring Wesley to his senses. Together they storm the castle where Buttercup is being held prisoner and rescue her.  I think that this is a great book to read.The author uses descriptive language so that you can imagine clearly what everything is like. It's a combination of true love, pirates, adventure, and more.  I would reccomend this book for kids.

Colin Kogan
    Author: Robert D. Ballard    Book: Ghostliners

       If you loved the movie "Titanic", I know you'll love the book called Ghostliners.
 There are many interesting facts on passenger ships that met the same tragic ends. Did you know that in 1914 a boat called "Express of Ireland" collided with another liner called "Starstad"? In 1915 another ocean liner was torpedoed by a German U-boat. That ship was called the "Lusitania". Do you know what ship struck a mine?  Do you know what other passenger ship collided with another ship in the 1950's? To find out more, read the book Ghostliners by Robert D. Ballard.

Dominik D.
    Author: J.K.Rowling
   Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

    Action, excitment, thrills, magic, and student rivalry are all in the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  The story starts out in Private Drive, England. All the wizards are celebrating but, two: Professor Minerva McGonagall and Professor Albus Dumbledore. They are making sure no muggle (person without magical powers) would see them. All the wizards were celebrating because Lord Voldemort (an evil wizard) killed Harry's parents.  Lord Voldemort he loses his powers when he tries to kill Harry. Ten years later Harry receives a letter saying that he has been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (the best witchcraft and wizardry school in existence).   Harry is happy because he can leave his uncle, aunt, and his cousin, Dudley who are terribly mean to him.

    Harry goes with a gigantic man called Hagrid to Diagon Alley (an alley full of shops with magical stuff like wands and flying broomsticks). After he gets all his magical things, he goes to The Kings Cross Train Station.  Harry then has to walk through a barrier between platform 9 and 10 to get to platform 9 and three quarters to get on the Hogwarts Express. When he arrives at Hogwarts there is a Sorting Hat that puts them in their school houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.  Harry was selected by the hat to be in Gryffindor.

    Later on during the school year he discovers that he knows how to play Quidditch (a dangerous sport on a flying broomstick). Harry then learns that there is a sorcerer's stone in the Hogwarts castle. He finds the trap door with the help of his friends called Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley. The only problem is that a three-headed dog named Fluffy is blocking it! They get past Fluffy by playing music that makes it go to sleep.  They then have to get past their teacher's enchantments, but Harry is the only one to get to the last room. Professor Quirrell (Harry's Defense Against The Dark Arts Teacher), is left to die by none other than Lord Voldemort.
   In my opinion I say that this is a very good book. This book is for all ages including adults. If you like magic or historical fiction, this is the book for you.

Lauren G.
    Author: J.K. Rowling    Book: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

    The fourth book in the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  It is a wonderful book about a boy named Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine. Harry Potter's name is placed into the goblet of fire and as a result he is forced to participate in the three tasks that put his life at risk. Someone is trying to kill him. But who?

    This book as well as the other three Harry Potter books is interesting from the very beginning to the very end. It's fast moving and never gets boring. It is the latest and the greatest in the series and I highly recommend it. The Harry Potter books are for people of all ages and are best when read in order. So, read them in order and enjoy!!!

Anthony B.
    Author: R.L. Stine    Book: Escape From Horror House

    Hhhhhoooo!  Ghosts howling, telephones ringing, eerie noises all from R.L. Stine's Escape From Horror House.

    This haunted book is not like any other book you've read before. It's a choose your own adventure book.  That means that you can choose where you want to go in the story.  In one part of the book an old lady is at the door begging to come in the house for shelter.  I really like this book because it's creepy. "Choose your own adventure books" are my favorite of all the Goosebumps book series. This is also filled with screams that will leave you dying to know what happens next. I would recommend this book to kids ages 9-12 grades 4-7.

Amy S.
    Author: Dav Pilkey    Book: Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants

    Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants is the third in a series. For those of you who want to change your names, in this book you can.  Let's say your name is Jennifer. In this book it would be Pups.  If your name is Bobby, in this book it would be Lumpy.  The book shows you how to change your name to one you would like.  I like this book because on the back page it says, "If you feel you suffered great emotional distress from having your name changed to (insert your new name here) c/o The Blue Sky Press 555 Broadway New York, NY10012.  I think on a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this book a six.