We love getting book reviews from young readers! Here are some new titles recommended by some of our younger reviewers. The future of reading is in good hands.
Because of her potion-making mother, Molly feels different from everyone else at her school. But when her Mom got herself into an accident and her best friend Ellen gets sick from a snake bite, she has to team up with an odd boy named Pim to make everything right again. There was a lot of great description in this book. If you like exciting adventures, this book is definitely for you! I loved all the magic in the book, and it was a quick read.
Amanda (age 10)
Isa is the daughter of a man who makes horrible porridge but great maps. Her father always tells her myths about how Joya (the island where they live) used to be before “The Governor” came, including how there was a woman that saved the island from the evil spirit Yote. When Isa’s best friend goes missing in the forest, she is determined to find her and bring her back. But she might not come back alive …
I really enjoyed this book. One of the things I liked was how things just pop out and happen when you don’t’ expect it. I liked the main character’s spirit - she was willing to make hug sacrifices to save her friend. I didn’t want to stop reading this book! I would recommend this book to kids who like inspiration and mystery.
Lauren (age 10)
Vaguely reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo's THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX this tale about a boy and his favorite stuffed bunny is a perfect story to read before bedtime with your child who is just leaning to read, or for them to read all by themselves. With a mix of whimsy and playfulness along with a rather deep message adults and children alike are sure to enjoy watching Ollie find his way back to his boy.
Grace Radford, Once Upon a Teen Reader
Mutt's Promise is a joyous book about hope and love. I could read it 1,000 times in a row! Luna, the puppy, finds out that promises are promises. She is heart-broken about a terrible accident. This book is very adventurous. I love the way the author words the sentences in the book. If you like suspense and love and hope, you would love the book Mutt's Promise!
Cecilia (age 8)
Save me a Seat is a great book that anyone and everyone should read. You should read this book because it tells about something that we do everyday, go to school. And sometimes come from across the world to the U.S. because there are better jobs for your parents than where you were before. This is Ravi's case, he and his family have come from India to the U.S. for better jobs, and Ravi has to go to a new school. This story is about Ravi's first week of school in America, and at first he thinks it's pretty simple, but the week goes from great to horrible and on Friday it goes back to great. I recommend this book highly and you should not miss it, so please read it just for the fun of it.
Told over the course of one day, see Natasha and Daniel fall in love when they meet while tackling issues that'll change their lives; a college interview he isn't sure he wants, and saving her family's right to stay in the USA. Along the way, you'll catch glimpses of the strangers' lives around them and realize how all our little actions can shape another's world. Cinematic and gripping until the very last page!
Andrew
Okay, big disclaimer, I’m the middle kid in my family – just like the main character in this book. So yeah – I liked this book. But even if you are not a middle kid, that does not mean you won’t like this book, because everybody has experienced bad frazzled days. Abbie Wu, the main character, is going though middle school sandwiched between her perfect older brother and her cutie pie younger sister. Her life is not easy. But the author makes it funny to read about Abbie’s challenges. She turns Abbie’s frustrations into funny stories that all kids will recognize: challenging teachers, mean next door neighbors, grumpy old people who don’t understand you: it is all here. And bonus, it is an easy read, too! Actually, despite the subject – middle school – the book might really be more suited to an elementary school kid like me. I read this book in one day. If you like light hearted comedy this book is a must read. I really enjoyed it!
Anica B., Grade 4