Battle of the Books 2010-2011
Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.14, 2011, under Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who like to read about princesses, or fairy tales.
Why? On a scale from 1-5, I would give this book a 2.5, or a 3. It had a lot of blank or “blaw” spots, where they were either confusing or easy to just forget about what you were reading. This book is about a princess named Ani, who has just found out her brothers will be the next ruler, and she won’t. She then goes on a journey to Bayern, where her servant Selia decides to pretend she is the Queen, and will marry the prince. Along the journey, Ani dresses up as a Bayern citizen, and works with the Geese, where it turns out, she has a special abliity. Read to find out what it is.
The details: 383 p. 2003 Review by Madisyn
Elephant Run by Roland Smith
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.22, 2011, under Adventure, Animal, Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Historical Fiction, ORCA, Student Reviews, War
Who would like this book? People who like to read about wars, or would like to learn more about World War II in 1942.
Why? I really liked this book because I learned a lot about World War II and elephants. I would recommend actually taking the time to carefully read the book, because it makes the book much better and less confusing. This book is about a boy who is forced to go live with his father by his mother, who was hoping it would be safer for him in Burma rather than with her. It turns out the Japanese take over Burma, and Nick, Mya, Nick’s father Jackson, are forced to work and be slaves for the Japanese in different locations. Will Nick ever be safe? Will anyone ever be safe? If you read this book, you will be suprised to like it even if you aren’t into wars or elephants.
The details: 318 p. 2007 Review by Madisyn
First Light by Rebecca Stead
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.16, 2011, under Adventure, Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Environment, Science Fiction, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who like books involving two different stories (different narrators) that potentially come together.
Why? I thought this book was just “Okay”. It had its good parts and definitely had its boring parts. I thought some parts were too long and could have been simplified to make it a little less confusing.
This book is about a 13-year-old boy named Peter who lives in New York. His mother and father study global warming and take a trip to Greenland to advance their discoveries. On the other side of the ice (You’ll know what I mean when you read the book), a young girl named Thea is trying to figure out a way to the surface and the history of Gracehope.
Are his parents really studying global warming? Or could they be searching for something much..much more interesting?
The details: 328 p. 2007 Review by Madisyn
Science Fair by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Dec.29, 2010, under Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Humorous, Real life, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who like learning a little about science and like books that never stop the excitement.
Why? I really liked this book, and especially liked how at the end of each chapter, it always left you with a question or mysterious thought. This book is about a middle school boy and his two friends, who are enemies of the “ME” kids. “ME” stands for “Manor Estate” kids. They are rich and one of them wins the science fair every year, but this year their project has gone a little too far and involves destroying America.
The details: 394 p. 2008 Review by Madisyn
The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Dec.29, 2010, under Adventure, Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Legend, Real life, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who like to read adventurous books filled with lots of excitement.
Why? I really liked this book, and thought it had a great storyline. I especially liked how Benard Samson and Alfred ended up connecting at some point in the story. This book is about a young boy named Alfred who has been set to save an ancient sword that is being protected by Monks. After his uncle gets him into a wrong situation, Alfred takes on a journey with a monk name Benacio. Read to find out if Alfred will suceed in his adventurous journey!
The details 339 p. 2005 : Review by Madisyn
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Dec.29, 2010, under Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who like to read a story with a lot of interetsting and fun ideas.
Why? This is the best book I have ever read. I really liked this book because I felt like it had a really good story with a lot of exciting events going on. This is about a girl who gets hit by a texi cab. She does not survive, and goes to a place called Elsewhere, where she meets many new exciting people that she never got to meet because they were gone before she as born. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading!
The details: 288 p. 2005 Review by Madisyn
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Dec.24, 2010, under Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Mystery, ORCA, Real life, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who enjoy reading mystery books, with not a whole lot of action, but suspense from the first to the last page.
Why? I thought this book was okay. I liked the idea but felt there could have been a little more action and excitement. It was probably the best first page I’ve ever read in a book. This book is about a boy name Salim who goes up on the London Eye one day, and they think he never comes down. His cousins Kat and Ted are on the search along with the Police and everyone else. Will Salim ever be found?
The details: 322 p. 2007 Review by Madisyn
Waiting for Normal by Leslie Conner
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.28, 2010, under Abuse, Battle of the Books 2010-2011, ORCA, Real life, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who like to read about real life situations. Also people who like a good story with not a lot of action, but still exciting.
Why? I really liked this book and thought it was a great story. I really liked Addie’s character and felt really bad for her. Her mom is a terrible person, and if I were Addie I would probably tell her to take a hike. This book is about a 12 year old girl named Addie who has moved into a trailer that her former stepfather has provided for her and her mom. Addie has 2 half sisters that still live with her former stepfather Dwight. Dwight and Addie are very close and continue to be throughout the hard times. All Addie wants is Normal, and Normal = her family together. Will Addie ever find Normal? You should read it and find out..
The details: 290 p. 2008 Review by Madisyn B.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.28, 2010, under Adventure, Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Legend, Real life, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? Anyone that likes daring, adventure books.
Why? The “dumb” teenager Alfred Kropp lives with his Uncle Farrell when they are given a chance to get 1 million dollars to retrieve something that has been “stolen.” Alfred thinks that this offer is fishy and doesn’t want to do it, but his uncle threatens to send him to a foster home if he doesn’t agree. They soon find out that the person that is “giving” them the money in exchange for the “stolen” sword is a fake. The uncle meets a tragic end, and the teenage boy is left alone on a journey to retrieve the sword and save the world.
The details: 339 p. 2005 Review by Sydney R.
Savvy by Ingrid Law
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.21, 2010, under Adventure, Battle of the Books 2010-2011, Fantasy, ORCA, Real life, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who like to read about fantasy and mild excitement.
Why? I liked this book and thought the author did a really good job describing the characters. I also thought the book was very creative, and I have’t ever read anything like it before. This book is about the Beamaunt Family, and how each child gets their own “Savvy” on their 13th birthday. This time it’s Mib’s turn. Read to find out what her Savvy is.
The details: 342 p. 2008 Review by Madisyn
