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Review by Lacey T.

Who would like this book? Boys and girls from 4th to 8th grade levels would probably like this book. It has crime and adventure, but at the same time it has a cute storyline of two unlikely friends.

The goods on this book: James Pompaday is a boy living with his mom and stepdad. Marvin is a beetle, living with his mom, dad, cousin, aunt… his whole family. James’ family lives in an apartment in New York. Marvin’s family lives behind the cupboard under the kitchen sink in the Pompaday’s apartment. Marvin has always wanted to do more outside of the apartment. He was always observing the Pompaday’s life and wanting some adventure of his own. His and James’ adventure starts when James gets a pen and ink set for his birthday from his dad. Marvin wanted to give James a present, so went into his room one night and drew James a picture using the pen and ink set. It was an exact drawing of the scenery outside of James’ bedroom window and it was… a masterpiece. James noticed it and noticed Marvin sitting nearby. He knew that Marvin had drawn it, and the two became best friends right then and there. James showed it to his father, and he said it was just as good as a famous artist named Durer. His father took him to the museum, and the woman working there was astonished by how exact it was to Durer’s work and she wanted James and his father to help her fake an art theft! There was a set of four paintings that Durer painted called Virtues. Three of them had been stolen and the museum thought the last one was soon going to be stolen so they wanted James (actually Marvin but they thought it was James who could draw that well) to make a copy of the last Virtue so they could track it and maybe find the other Virtues. But somewhere along the way of the theft, the real one got stolen and James and Marvin have to work together to find the Virtues. The book is a great read and has a lot of different things going on. It has suspense, excitement, adventure… pretty much anything you would like in a book. There is even a little romance! I strongly recommened this book and hope you read it.

The details: 292 pages; 2008   Review by Lacey T.

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Who would like this book? People with a love of art and a good mystery that unfolds itself into a great adventure!

Why? Through a silent world of pictures and words, two children find themselves and discover their world. He wishes to find his father after the death of his mother. She wants to leave her father’s home and become an actress like her mother. Somehow, their stories become entwined in a spellbound work of art.

The details: 637 pp. 2011   Review by Abigail

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Who would like this book? Anyone who loves a great novel!

Why? Wonderstruck is by the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, so if you loved that book, you will love this book!
Wonderstruck is about a boy named Ben who is going deaf. After Ben’s mother died, Ben has wanted to find his father so he goes out looking for him. This book tells a story not only in words, but also in pictures. I think anyone who reads this book will would really like it!

The details: 634 pp. 2011  Review by Karla M.

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Who would like this book? Reader who like art and forgery.

Why? Marvin, a beetle, lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pomdays’ apartment. When the Pomdays’ son, Jame’s 11th birthday comes around nothing seems to go right. His mom only invites her clients and the kids of people she wants to work. The only thing James looks forward to is seeing his biological father, Karl. When Karl arrives his gift to James is a pen and ink set. James isn’t very happy with the gift. When Marvin brings his gift out for James later that night, he sees the pen and ink set and tries it out. Marvin discovers he is a great artist.
When James wakes up the next morning he sees the drawing and says aloud, “Who did this?” Marvin steps out of the shadows and shows James his Masterpiece. But, when James’ Mom steps in she thinks that James drew it. Karl comes the next day to see James, and he is shocked to see the drawing and takes James to an art museum. At the museum, Karl explains that James’ drawing looks like a Durer drawing. Originally there had been four drawings but three had been stolen or lost; now only one existed: Fortitude. The museum curator, Christina, asks James to do something odd, to create a forgery of Fortitude so they could set a trap for the burglar and potentially get back all the drawings in the set of four. James agrees and when left alone, Marvin crawls out of James pocket and draws a replica of the picture. Christina, Karl, and Denny, another museum curator, were so impressed that they decided to fake the Durer being stolen and use James drawing as a fake.Read the book to find out what happens!

The details: 292 p. 2008   Review by Mason

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Who would like this book? Readers who enjoy love stories. 7th grade and up.

Why? This is the second book to What My Mother Doesn’t Know. It is in Murphy’s perspective. The story begins where the last book left off when Sophie decided to let her and Murphy’s relatshionship be exclusive. She and Murphy get made fun of a lot because they are dating, but they don’t let it get to them. Later in the book Murphy gets accepted into an art class at Harvard and has to draw nude portraits of people. He starts having thoughts about the people he is painting and feels guilty because he loves Sophie. The last incident is that Sophie sees Murphy kissing another girl. Do Murphy and Sophie stay together? Read the book to find out!

The details: 291 p. 2007   Review by Sam H.

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Who would like this book? Readers, 8th grade and up, who like a first person narrator trying to come to terms with real life, high school situations.

More? Blake, 16, seems to have an ideal setup. He has a beautiful, fun girlfriend, Shannon, and an entertaining, supportive family (though his big brother, Garrick, loves to give him a bad time). In his photography class, he makes friends with another girl, Marissa, who has significant family problems. She has no father and her mother is addicted to meth. After Blake inadvertently takes a photograph of Marissa’s mom when she is unconscious, Blake and Marissa become good friends. This “triangle” complicates Blake’s life, as do the turns that Marissa takes as she tries to follow her own dreams while supporting her mother’s efforts at recovery. Photography brings Blake and Marissa closer together, and the text is enriched by quotes from photographers that open each chapter. The strong message of the book is delivered by Blake’s mom: “actions have consequences.” Blake discovers this message the hard way as he tries to “have it all.” Readers should be ready for some mature content.

The details: 332 p. 2009   Review by Samrarian

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Review by Madison

Who would like this book? Maybe people who like Graphic Novels.

Why? I did not like this book . I am not a graphic novel fan, so that might be why. This book was very odd, and I didn’t think it was very well organized at all. I got very bored with this book. It was often confusing for me and a little mixed up. I only reccomend this book to graphic novel fans. This book is about a girl who moves from a busy city to a safer city. She joins a group called P.L.A.I.N. They draw art in neighborhoods and the town is kind of debating on whether they like it or not. The school teachers don’t like it. Nobody knows who this group is and who the people are in this group. That is why I didn’t like this book, and I prefer books that are not graphic novels.

The details: 2007     Submitted by Madison

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Who would like this book? Older teens (8th grade and up), especially girls, who are interested in a beautifully written, totally riveting story about a sixteen-year-old girl struggling with beauty, family problems, and a relationship dilemma. If you’re interested in China, art, or geocaching, you will really like this book!

Why? Terra, sixteen and headed for early graduation, is on the run. She wants to get away from her family, her unsatisfying relationship with Erik, and her port-wine birthmark covering her left cheek. She feels responsible to protect her fragile mother from her overly-critical, emotionally abusive father, who has no interest in Terra’s art or her hopes to attend an art college. A minor car accident opens the way for Terra and her mother to meet Norah, a snappy middle-aged woman, and her son Jason, a Goth Chinese teen who cuts through all dishonesty. Subsequent events pave the way for the four of them to travel to China, a place that gives each of them (especially Terra and her mom) new perspectives on themselves. Terra’s experiences open her mind to insights and discoveries about herself, her goals, and what she values. Headley’s description of this process captivated me with striking prose, rich characterizations, and intriguing details that move the plot forward. For instance, both Terra’s collages (her main art medium) and Jacob’s geocaching are fascinating in their own right, but they are also integral to the plot. For a deep read about important issues, live in this book for awhile.

The details: 373 p. 2009  Submitted by Samala

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