Animal
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.07, 2013, under Abuse, Adventure, Animal, Newbery, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? People, ages 8 and up, who like stories told from the point of view of animals (in this case, a silverback gorilla) with a strong theme of friendship and hope.
The goods on this book: Ivan has lived a depressing life for 27 years at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, a terrible type of inhumane “zoo” that used to be common. Stella, an old elephant, and a feisty dog name Bob, keep him company, but Ivan has given up hope for a better life. He tries to console himself with his art, but he is close to giving up hope. Things in the zoo are turned upside down when Ruby, a baby elephant, arrives and awakens Ivan’s protective nature. Ruby is the spark that makes Ivan and Stella hope for a better life, and Ivan comes up with a highly unlikely plan that capitalizes on his unusual artistic talent. The layout of the book, with timely illustrations and lots of white space, adds to Ivan’s storytelling. I found this book to be moving and inspiring, and I especially loved the ending. It’s not a surprise that it won the prestigious Newbery Award for 2013.
The details: 305 pages; 2012 Review by Samrarian
Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.06, 2013, under Animal, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Jonghoon K.
Who would like this book? Someone who likes dogs would like this book because it’s about the dog giving a note to Finn (the main character) and Finn is trying to find out who is writing this note.
The goods on this book: I think this book is good because this book is about a dog. It’s about a boy whose name is Finn and his neighbor Johanna. They become friends. They make their garden fantastic after they become friends. Finn didn’t like moving, and he was shy but he became brave and liked to move when he became friends with Johanna. He became more active, and he got lots of friends. I like the main character because he is a guy who is becoming a young adult.
The details: 133 pages; 2009 Review by Jonghoon K.
Into The Wild: Warriors Book 1 by Erin Hunter
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.06, 2013, under Adventure, Animal, Student Reviews
Review by Morgan T.
Who would like this book? People who love prophecies and twists that you don’t expect would love this book.
The goods on this book: This is the beginning of a large and awesome series about cats who live in four clans in the wild. Anyone who has judged this book before reading this has been shocked at how good it is. A “kittypet” named Rusty dreams of going into the wild, and after a while he is accepted. He is accepted into ThunderClan and leaves his “Twoleg” home. This book is full of prophecies, twists, and mysteries to be uncovered.
The details: 272 pages; 2003 Review by Morgan T.
Moonrise (Warriors: The New Prophecy Book 2) by Erin Hunter
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.06, 2013, under Adventure, Animal, Student Reviews
Review by Lily S.
Who would like this book? I think the kids who would like this book are ones who like adventure, excitement, and a little sadness. I will also recommend this book for kids 4th grade and up.
The goods on this book: On this journey, six cats from different clans have gotten a message from Starclan and need to find a home. Back at the forest, the rest of the clan are having trouble with the twolegs (humans). The twolegs are taking cats from each clan and putting them in cages. Will the six cats make it home safely? And will the cats escape the twolegs?
The details: 287 pages; 2005 Review by Lily S.
The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Sep.23, 2013, under Animal, Student Reviews
Review by Erin J.
Who would like this book? Anyone who likes mystery and heart warming stories would probably like this one. Also, it gets exciting in some points so maybe, If you like your books exciting, then you will like this one.
The goods on this book: This book is about a girl named Martine, who lost her parents in a fire, and the only other guardian/family member she has is her grandmother who lives in Africa. Martine is afraid to move to Africa with her grandmother because she thought that her grandmother would hate her, or Martine would hate her grandmother. Though she didn’t like the idea of moving in with her grandmother, she moved, and didn’t get along with her grandmother. But, don’t worry, things change. Martine later meets a white giraffe, and becomes friends with it. Do you want to know what happens with Martine and her grandmother? Do you want to see if she meets anyone suspicious? If she loses the white giraffe? If the white giraffe dies? What ever will happen to the giraffe? Read the book to find out.
The details: 180 pages; 2006 Review by Erin J.
Star Wolf: Wolves of the Beyond Book 6 by Kathryn Lasky
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.14, 2013, under Adventure, Animal, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Review by Skyla
Who would like this book? Males and female; 9+, who like fiction.
The goods on this book: The owl war is over. The new land awaits. A great powerful earthquake has broken the Beyond forever, and the wolves, two bears, and a few birds, must find a new home in order to survive. Their only hope in surviving is the place known as the Distant Blue, only a haze that they can hardly see from the Beyond. Once an outcast, Foalan has spent his lifetime proving that he can be a leader. But when he sets paw on an unknown Ice Bridge, he just may be leading his new pack into terrible danger. The Distant Blue can be a wonderful new home, or it could be instant death. The pack faces deadly winds, jagged ice, and unknown threats that can put the young one into danger. Can Foalan lead his odd pack to saftey, or will the last known survivers in the Beyond be lost forever?
The details: 246 pp. 2013 Review by Skyla
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.09, 2013, under Adventure, Animal, Newbery, Student Reviews
Review by Madissyn
Who would like this book? Everyone!
The goods on the book: A boy, Sam, runs away from home and must live on the land. He meets a lot of friends like The Baron Weasel, Bando (a professor who is lost in the woods), and Jessie Coon James (a raccoon). His dad comes to see him and is proud that he made his own house. His family comes and sees him, too. This is a great book. More to come
The details: 177 pp. 1988
Dog Lost by Ingrid Lee
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.31, 2013, under Adventure, Animal, Real life, Student Reviews, YRCA
Review by Skyla D.
Who would like this book? Males and females ages 10 and up.
The goods on the book: This book is about a young boy’s bond between him and a Pit Bull. The boy’s name is Mackenzie. His dad has a bad temper and one night the small Pit Bull puppy made a tiny accident and he takes the puppy and leaves her in the middle of nowhere. The pup has a strong heart and believes that her boy will come back for her. Cold, hungry, and lost, will the young pup make it alive back to see her boy again?
The details: 197 pp. 2008 Review by Skyla D.
Julia Gillian and the Art of Knowing by Alison McGhee
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.20, 2013, under Animal, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Miwako
Who would like this book? I think 4th~6th graders will like this book.
Girls will like it.
The goods on the book: This book is about a girl who always helps others and she is really funny.
When she feels sad, her dog Bigfoot always help her. Also her parents and her friend are funny. She is afraid of reading the green book because the dog dies.
I really like this book because the girl is funny and her dog Bigfoot is so cute.
Dogs can’t understand what humans are talking about, but Bigfoot seem to know.
The details: 280 pp. 2008 Review by Miwako
Warriors: Forest of Secrets by Erin Hunter
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.14, 2013, under Adventure, Animal, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Review by Cassidy O.
Who would like this book? The people that love exploring other characters’ feelings and drama! This series is a fun mix up between romance, drama, violence, and some humor.
The goods on this book: This is the 3rd book of the series and so far is really exciting and nerve racking. The Traitorous Tigerclaw, enemy of FireHeart the main character, raids the Thunderclan camp. He had set up plans with outsider cats from other clans to attack and attempt to kill Bluestar. But FireHeart saves Bluestar just in time, nearly murdering Tigerclaw. Tigerclaw got banned from the clan and is an outsider. Now Bluestar has to choose who would be deputy next. Who would she choose?
The details: 312 pp. 2003 Review by Cassidy O.
