Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
Summary: Harry Potter is living with his mean aunt and uncle on number four Privet Drive where he is being treated badly. Not knowing much about the death of his parents, just that they died in a car accident. One day this letter comes for Harry which his is not allowed to open, followed by many others. Days later Hagrid, a giant comes to tell him about Hogwarts and the magic world and also that a dark powerful wizard killed his parents. Harry goes to Hogwarts leaving his nasty family behind and then he has to solve a mystery that might have Voldemort, the wizard who killed his parents, behind this.
Genre: Mystery
Rank: 5/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: This book was a very good book because the story was very interesting and out of this world. The story was very planned out and had a lot to it, but was very creative and magical. The story was also very descriptive and made an easy picture in my head. I loved this story and I recommend this story to all because it really shows how lucky most of us are. The story is not true, but I mean most of us don't have our bedroom be the closet under the stairs.
Reviewed by Madeline Pluta in grade 7
Swindle by Gordon Korman
Summary: In this story Griffin Bing The Man With The Plan plans a sleepover at the old abanded Rockford, that's about to be demolished the next day. Since no one arrived except hiss friend Ben, Griffin opens a drawer and happens to find a baseball card. The two best friends go to Palomino's Emporium of Collectibles and Memorabilia where they were tricked out of the card for very little money. The next day S. Wendell Palomino is seen on tv with this rare baseball card. Since Griffins family is having financial problems it is up to him to get the card back. Griffin creates a team and plan to take it back
Genre: Fantasy
Rank: 5/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: This book was a very good book because it expressed that kids can do anything. I also liked this book because it was very understandable and easily helped me create a picture in my mind of what was going on. The book wasn't really a mystery, but it was ery and fun to read. Reading this book was like watching a movie. I recommend this book, especially for those who love mysteries and crime. If you're one of those who can't find a good book or love the scene of crime, then read this book. It's fillled with many great words and awesome comparisons.
Reviewed by Madeline Pluta in grade 7
Peak by Roland Smith
Summary: In this book, Peak Marcello who is 14 years of age, is given the chance of a lifetime. As a punishment for illegally scaling a skyscraper in New York City, his father [who had not talked to Peak for years] takes Peak home with him to Nepal. His father, Josh, had already made plans for Peak to climb Mt. Everest. If he summits before his birthday, he will be the youngest person to do so. Peak puts his life at risk as he faces many challenges at his attempt to climb the tallest mountain in the world.
Genre: Other
Rank: 4/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: I picked out this book for English, and it was really interesting. For some people, a book about mountain climbing can seem dull and boring, but the way it was written makes it interesting and makes you wonder how people actually manage to summit mountains like Mount Everest.
Reviewed by Eriko Takatsuki in grade 10
Rain by Kieryn Nicolas
Summary: Mel is your average teenage girl, if by average you mean going to a spy academy from age zero and being sent on missions to stop criminals. One particular mission sends her to Australia, where she meets a very familiar boy. But they told her he was dead! Could this be the boy? Mel must solve the crime involving stolen birth certificates, and try to solve the mystery of her friend's reappearance. Can she do it?
(I know it's short, but if I told you more of the story I'd have to kill you 
[just kidding])
Genre: Mystery
Rank: 5/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: Kieryn Nicolas is an amazing author. Wanna know a secret?
...
...
...
SHE'S FIFTEEN! (Actually, it's not a secret, I just wanted to surprise you.) I had the honor of meeting her while on vacation, and I got an autographed copy! Anyways, it was a great book, with lots of plot twists and action (and a bit of meteorology, but I'm not telling you where that comes in ;-P). I loved "Rain," and I hope Kieryn gets to publish more books!
Kieryn also likes to swing dance. Just saying. 
Hey Kieryn, if you see this, HI!!!!! 
Reviewed by Brooke Boetticher in grade 9
A Good Night For Ghosts by Mary Pope Osborne
Summary: In this book Jack and Annie are off on another mission for Merlin. This time they have to help bring someone's musical gifts to the world. Jack and Annie wish to go to New Orleans thru a book and begin their journey to help bring Louis Armstrong's musical gifts to the world. Jack and Annie find Louis and to make sure that they don't lose him they help him with his numerous jobs. After the 3 friends were done with the jobs they run in the rain to get dessert. But once it starts to thunder they are forced to go into an abanded blacksmith shop which is haunted. What will happen? Read to find out.
Genre: Fantasy
Rank: 2/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: I wasn't a very big fan of this book because to me it was boring. The book also didn't have a lot of details so it was hard for me to create a picture in my mind of what was happening. There wasn't really any emotions in this book that the reader could feel. But the book did tell me a lot about Lousis Armstrong, like that his nick name was Dipper. I don't recommend this book for someone my age, but I'm sure a younger child would enjoy it.
Reviewed by Madeline Pluta in grade 7
Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach
Summary: This book is about a girl named Hero. When she moved, she didn't realize that she moved into the Murphy diamond house. Her neighbor, Mrs. Roth, told her this and she also told Hero the mystery of the diamond - and that she thought that the diamond was hidden in the house. Hero looks for the diamond, and learns more about Shakespeare and other important English historical people along the way. Together, Hero and Mrs. Roth work together to find the hidden Murphy diamond.
Genre: Mystery
Rank: 5/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: "Shakespeare's Secret" was a very good book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved every minute of reading this book. The suspense of this book was very good. The idea that the author came up with was very good for a mystery. This book also made very good connections to Shakespeare and English history.
Reviewed by Shannon Flynn in grade 7
Witch and Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Summary: This book is about a brother and sister, witch and wizard, on the run. Wisteria (known as Wisty) and Whitford (known as Whit) Allgood are wanted by the New Order, a new form of government. Their journeys take them to numerous jails, Shadowland, Freeland, Garfunkels, and many more places. They meet many people on their adventure. With their fear of being executed and wanting to see their parents again, Whit and Wisty are in their worst nightmare yet, but this time it's real.
Genre: Fantasy
Rank: 5/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: This book is a really good book. I enjoyed reading it very much. I had to keep on reading every time I picked it up. I couldn't stop turning the pages. "Witch and Wizard" was very exciting as the scenes shifted to another scene that was even more exciting. At the end of the short chapters, I was left with so much suspense that I had to keep on reading. Overall, this book was a amazing and fantastic book.
Reviewed by Shannon Flynn in grade 7
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Summary: This book is about a man who has pancreatic cancer and who is dying. He tells how he achieved his childhood dreams; but really it is about life lessons and things he wants his children to know.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rank: 4/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: I think this book is sad and heartwarming. It is sad because he writes the book knowing he is going to die; he did die in July, 2008. It is heartwarming because he can spend the time he has left of his life to and for his children.
Reviewed by Bryan Harris in grade 6
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
Summary: This book is about Max, Fang, and the rest of the flock: Iggy, Gazzy, Nudge, and Angel. They are 98% human and 2% avian, and their main advantage from this is that they have wings. At the lab that they were created at, there was a kind scientist named Jeb. Jeb helps them escape, and now they are living on their own. Throughout this book, they are tracked down by Erasers (part human, part wolf), and these Erasers are trained to kill. Ari, the head Eraser, kidnaps Angel. The flock have to use their powers to rescue her - while finding out more about themselves and the rest of the flock.
Genre: Fantasy
Rank: 4/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: This book is a very good book. As it is the first book of the Maximum Ride series, most of the beginning of the book tells about the main parts of the story - the flock and the Erasers. Near the end, the story starts to move faster, and the reader can understand this because they know more of the storyline. "Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment" has a very fast moving plot, but you don't get to learn about the characters that much, as most of the writing is focused on what is happening rather than the characters. Despite that, overall, the book is a fantastic book.
Reviewed by Shannon Flynn in grade 7
The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean
Summary: "The White Darkness" is a book about a 14-year-old-girl named Symone (known as Sym). She is taken to Paris by her "Uncle Victor", and then they go to Antarctica with other tourists, including Manfred and Sigurd Bruch. At the camp, all the other tourists fall ill, and Victor and Manfred take Sym and Sigurd in a stolen vehicle to find Symmes' Hole. Later, Manfred is stranded by a sprained ankle, Sym finds out that Sigurd is really an actor, not Manfred's son. They find the hole, but Victor jumps in, and left there is Sym and Sigurd. They are found, and are brought back to where they belong.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rank: 5/5
Would you recommend this book to a friend? yes
Review: This book was a very good book. I kept on turning the pages, wanting to find out what really would happen when Sym, Sigurd, and Victor would arrive at the Hole. I loved how the end of the book turned out. Overall, this book was great and very well written.
Reviewed by Shannon Flynn in grade 7