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In this issue:
Book Reviews, Music and Poetry
Words Without
Pictures
By: Michael
No words
No alphabet
No pictures
No paint
No words
No poems
No pictures
No paintings
No words, no pictures
How dull life would be
No words, no pictures
We wouldn’t express ourselves
No words
No pictures
No life
No communication
Among the Hidden
By: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Can you imagine being locked up in your attic all your life , never going to school , not being able to eat with your family or only knowing your family , not even seeing anyone else before ? Well Luke Garner can . He lives like this every day . When the Population law was out every third child lived similar to this . No family could have more then 2 kids . In Luke’s family there was him Mother , Father , Matthew , and Mark .
He was the youngest , so he had to hide from the population police . Luke’s family lives on a farm and had to sell their woods to the government . New houses would be build there .
One day while Luke’s up in his attic he remembers two vents on the roof . He stands on old boxes to see them . Out one he can see the new houses being built .
Every day Luke looks out the vent . One day he see’s a person in one of the houses . The problem is , A mother , Father , and two sons have already left . This person was a third child . Luke decides to go over and find out who’s there . He opens the backdoor and runs behind the barn . He slowly makes the journey . Then he discovers Jen . She is the mystery person . She started talking about a plan . What plan ? She won’t tell Luke . Is he going to find out ? Will he and Jen become friends ? Will the population law be abolished ? Read on to find out .
Reviewed by Samantha
Among the
Hidden
By: Margaret Peterson Haddix
This book is about a boy named Luke. There was a stupid law. It was the population law. No one is allowed to have three kids; only one or two. Luke was a third child and had to hide from everyone but him family members, or the population police would kill him. He spent all day in his room, ate on the stairs, so he could still eat with his family, but not be seen through the windows. Up in his room he found little vents he could see out of, but no one could see him. So he often looked out the vents at the houses behind his. He saw a girl’s face peek out of one of the houses’ windows. But he knows that two boys already live there and are gone for schoool. So it must be another third child. One day Luke sneaks over there and meets the girl. Her name is Jen. She has a dangerous plan to go out where other people are and scream, “I want to be free and not hide!” Will Luke go or not? It is a very dangerous plan.
This book, to me, was very, very sad. The end is not really a good ending, and I don’t like that. It was also scary at times. So I think you all should read it.
Reviewed by Danielle
The Boxes is a story about a girl named Annie. Annie’s eccentric uncle is always traveling and rarely visits. On one visit he gives Annie two boxes and a warning never to open them. Curiosity gets the best of her and she opens the boxes, releasing strange creatures that can communicate through telepathy, and a living clock that can slow down time, but only with sacrifices. Problems arise when the Crutchly Co. finds out her secret and attempts to get the clock, not knowing about the terrible consequences. Can Annie keep the clock away from Crutchly and save the day? Read this book to find out.
This book is very good except the ending leaves you hanging, like there should be another chapter. I recommend this book for Science Fiction/Fantasy fans. I give it 3.5 stars.
Reviewed by Alicia
Chinese
Cinderella
By: Adeline Ven Mah
Yen Jun-ling (Adeline) was never treated fairly in her life. Her brothers and sister blamed her for causing their mothers death, since she was born a couple weeks before her mother died. Because of that, she’s considered bad luck. Yen Jun-ling’s father had remarried a mean French-Chinese lady. The children are all forced to call her Niang (mother), even though she treats them, except her two kids, badly. Yen Jun-ling only has three family members who love her a lot: her aunt Baba, her Ye Ye (grandpa), and her Nai Nai (grandma). Then Nai Nai, who was head of the house, dies and Niang takes over full time. She moves the family to Shanghai to be with father, who had left earlier. Niang tells the children, except her own, that they are not allowed to have friends over, or go to friends’ houses. One day a couple named mr. And mrs. Huang visit and bring ducklings for all the kids. Yen Jun-ling is forced to pick her duck last. She gets a scrawny duck, but she loves it anyway. She names it PLT (precious little treasure). Niang and father have a vicious dog named Jackie who goes to obedience classes. Father thinks Jackie is nice now, and he wants to test him. He thinks that they should test him on a duck, so they get PLT. Yen Jun-ling is heartbroken to see Jackie biting her PLT. She brings the duck to her room and it later dies. I can’t tell you anymore except that Adeline has had a horrible life and, when she was a child, if something good happened to her, it was quickly a bad day again when she came home and saw Niang. This was a very good book and I recommend it to everyone, but if you cry easily, watch out!
Reviewed by Alison
Chuck and Danielle
By: Peter Dickinson
This book is about a girl named Danielle, and her dog named Chuck. Chuck is scared of everything. He thinks that everything is coming to eat him; even trash bags blowing down the street. Danielle thinks her dog will some day save the universe. When he does, Danielle said her mom will buy her a Big Mac, because Danielle’s mom does not think Chuck can save the universe. Danielle and her mom are on a strict diet, and Danielle doesn’t want to be. If Chuck saves the universe, Danielle will finally have some great junk food. Will Danielle get her Big Mac? Read this book to find out.
I thought it was pretty cool, but sort of boring. I love the ending, even though it’s sort of sad.
Reviewed by Danielle
Don’t Tell Anyone
By: Peg Kehret
This book is about a girl named Megan who loves animals. Megan was feeding some cats in an empty field and one of them looked like it was going to have kittens. Then she saw a sign that said houses were going to come up in that empty field soon! Now she had to save the cats somehow. Then a man in a blue truck came up and said he would help her to save the cats. This man was really a thief and was stealing from the company building these apartments. If the company does not get the money from building these apartments, or houses, they would notice the thousands of dollars this man had taken. So he could not let this kid delay the building of these apartments. He kidnapped her and was planning to burn her. Will she get out of it? Read this book to find out.
I loved this book. It was scary and funny at the same time. I hope you all read it.
Reviewed by Danielle
Gypsy Rizka
By: Lloyd Alexander
This incredibly funny book is about Rizka, a gypsy who spends her time in Greater Dunitsa. Nobody likes her, except Big Franko, and she always tricks the town officials into letting her stay. She makes the mayor put garlic all over his body, which will supposedly make him smarter. This book is also extremely funny because of all the mischief that Rizka and her cat, Petzel, get into. I didn’t particularly enjoy the ending of this book, but you might, so try reading it.
Reviewed by Samantha
The Library
Card
By: Jerry Spinelli
This book has four stories in it. The first one is about a boy named Mongoose. Mongoose was not his real name, but the book did not tell what his real name was. Mongoose and his friend changed their names to Mongoose and Weazel. They both did very bad things until Mongoose found a library card. This library card starts to change Mongoose’s life, but not Weazel’s. Will this library card come between their friendship.
The second story is about a girl named Brenda. She was a TV addict. As a school policy, the whole school is not allowed to watch TV, even Brenda. It’s called “the great TV turn off”. She’s going crazy when she finds a library card. Will this library card change her life? Or will she go back to TV when the week is over?
The third story is about a boy named Soneray. He has big problems. He lost his mother and gets himself in a lot of trouble with the police. Soneray’s brother, Jack, has to leave his job and move to a different city over and over again. When he goes into a library for air conditioning will he just cause problems? Or will he get a library card?
The last story is about a girl named April. She moves from New York to a stinky farm and hates it. So she goes for a long walk in search for a library, but knows she will not find one. She loves to read. April finds a book mobile and meets a girl who really needs Aprils help to get a life. Can April help her?
I enjoyed this book very much. The last story was sad, but nice.
Reviewed by Danielle
Life In The Fat
Lane
By: Cherie Bennett
First she’s homecoming queen, then a 200-pound teenage girl. Sounds like superman doesn’t it? Well it’s not. It’s Lara Adeche. What on earth is wrong with her? Her mom just thinks she’s lazy, and her dad won’t even look at her. What else can go wrong? Want to find out what else can go wrong? Want to find out what’s wrong with Lara? Read this book!
I really enjoyed this book and I know you will too. I give it **** out of 5 stars.
Reviewed by Katie
Magic by the Lake
By: Edward Eager
Jane, Mark, Katherine, and Martha wished for magic by the lake when a magical turtle overhears them. Their wish is granted immediately. Now they are left to deal with a whole lake full of magic. They meet mermaids, pirates, the forty thieves, and even become hostages. But if they go to far and don’t wish for wet wishes the whole like would dry up or even worse flood. Find out what happens when they go a little too far in their magical worlds.
Reviewed By: Kamayani
My Escape: Shipwrecked
By: Judy Donnelly and Sydelle Kramer
This is a true story of a girl and her family, who, during a war, left Africa on a ship to their home in America. Just when they thought nothing could go wrong, a torpedo hit their ship. There were a few survivors: the captain, two kids, sailors, her, and her family. They made a small raft, but it was big to squeeze everyone in it. Will they survive with little food, hot days and cold nights, sharks circling the raft, everyone going crazy, and their fights at night. Read this book to find out.
I thought this book was sad because some people died, but I enjoyed it.
Reviewed by Amanda
Mystery At
Bluff Point Dunes
By: Lisa Eisenberg
This book is about Kate Clancy. Kate’s friend, Bonnie, invited Kate to spend two weeks with her at her grandparents huge house. People will always be waiting on them there, and they are excited about the trip. Bonnie goes there every summer, but this year she doesn’t want to go. Kate cannot see why. Bonnie said it’s because of what happened last summer, but she won’t tell Kate what happened last summer. All of a sudden all kinds of things start to get stolen from the house. Kate gets caught snooping for clues, and she is held prisoner. Nobody, however, seems to notice. What will Kate do?
I think everyone should read this book. I loved this book. It was so, so scary and funny. All of you guys just have to read it.
Reviewed by Danielle
Number the
Stars
By: Lois Lowry
Are you interested in World War II? How about, can you imagine living in a time where you could be persecuted for your hair, skin, eye color or you religion? Annemarie Johansen lives in this time. Ellen Rosen, her best friend, is Jewish and one day her family becomes aware of the great danger they’re in. They went to synagogue and were told that all the Jewish families’ homes were given to the Nazis, who would come and take them to concentration camps. Ellen’s parents run away into hiding, and Ellen pretends she’s Annemarie’s sister. The risk of whether the Nazis will notice or not, is just the first of many. Read this book to find out what happens to the brave and frightened Annemarie and her family.
Reviewed by Samantha
The
Terrorist
By: Caroline B. Cooney
This book is about a girl named Laura, whose brother was killed by a terrorist. He was handed a package and within seconds it blew up and killed him. The police say that the terrorist probably does not like Laura’s family, and that her brother Billy might not be the only one going to die in that family. Now Laura’s family is battling many things. The first is the loss of Billy. Secondly, the fear of the terrorist to attack again. And the third is the pressure from family and friends and the police to move. Well as they are trying to battle this, Laura is on her own hunt for the terrorist. She does find the killer also.
I thought it was kind of boring in the beginning, but most books are. It is sad and scary too. So I think everyone should read it, if you can get past the beginning.
Reviewed by Danielle
Twisted Summer
By: Willo Davis Roberts
This book is about a girl named Cici. Every summer she will go to a lake for family gatherings. They didn’t go last summer because they went to Hawaii instead. But they are going this summer. When they get there, Cici finds out a girl she knew was murdered by a boy she knows. Cici does not think that the boy had done it. So she sets out to find out who did. She finds out that now she is now the murderers target. Someone had shot at her, but missed. She gets away without seeing who it was. She tells her best friend and he says that it was a warning shot. Next time she won’t be so lucky.
I thought it was a great fast pace book. Towards the end it gets really page turning, and it’s hard to put down. I think you all should read it.
Reviewed by Danielle
Uncle Tom’s
Cabin
By: Harriet Beacher Stowe
During the time of slavery, Uncle Tom – a hardworking, devout Christian man – has one problem; he is black. He is always honest, and if given the chance to run away, Tom would pass. His kind master, Mr. Shelby, is in debt and has to give Tom and Eliza, Shelby’s prized woman slave, up. Eliza runs away with her child to Canada, where she meets up with her husband. Tom, however, just waits for his new master to come and take him away from his family to an unknown place. His new master sells Tom, almost as quickly as he bought him, to a rich man named Augustine St. Clare. St. Clare’s angelic daughter, Eva, picked out Tom because she wanted to make him happy. Tom lives a happy life for a time, writing letters to the Shelbys, who plan to buy him back and reunite him with his family. Something happens, however, and Tom goes from a nice lifestyle to hell. Will he ever get back with his family and be freed? Will he just live his life as a slave until he dies? What will happen to his beliefs as he is tortured for his faith in God? Read this book, which supposedly started the civil war, to find out.
This book was very sad, but it made me think, and if it doesn’t do the same to you, sort out those issues you have. It was very long, but gets exciting once you’re a fourth the way through. I would recommend this book to be read by anyone.
Reviewed by Russell
A Year Down
Yonder
By: Richard Peck
I first became interested in this book when I heard it had won the Newbery Award. This book is the sequel to A Long Way From Chicago, which was one of the battle books and it won the Newbery honor. Almost as soon as I had finished the first book (which was very good) I started this one. I found that it was impossible to put down.
In the beginning of this book, Mary Alice is sent to her grandmother’s house for the whole year due the Recession in America. Since Mary Alice is there for the year, she has to go to a school unlike her own and make new friends. During the book, Grandma teaches Mary Alice her way of life (i.e. keeping business secret and clever ways of getting back at people). The year seems to go by quickly and Mary Alice can’t believe that it was time to go home so soon.
This book was quick, clever, and very good in my opinion. It had a realistic way of telling the near impossible. Of all the books I’ve read, this is one of the best because it is light and fun reading. In conclusion, if you want to read this book, read it when you’re not busy because it will be very hard to put back down.
Reviewed By: Jessica
The Year My Parents Ruined My Life
By: Martha Freeman
Belltoona, Pennsylvania. Snow, snow, snow. Kate Sommers had to move to this cold environment from Isla Nada, California. She thinks her parents are kidnapping her. She is very unhappy about leaving Josh (her thirteen-year-old boyfriend), Molly (her best friend), and her job as class president of the sixth grade. Kate especially does not like her new school. The kids do not like her, and she doesn’t like them. A few days before school started, there was a big car crash and Mr. Payne, Kate’s new principal broke his neck. Kate is now blamed by him, and is suddenly very not welcomed. Will Kate manage here? Read this book to find out.
Reviewed by Samantha
This is one of the most funniest movies I ever saw . It was Historical . It is about a FBI agent who has to go under cover as Miss New Jersey for the Miss America’s Beauty Pagant . The problem is , this FBI agent is a total mess . She doesn’t even own a brush . She has to pull off being a Miss Beautiful with the help of and ex-stylist for the pageant . All of the steps on getting there will make you break out in hysterics .
Reveiwed by : Samantha
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