Chapter Books

Book Review: City Of Fire

Author
Yep, Laurence
Rating
2 stars = Meh
Review

It was alright- especially in the beginning. I thought that is was interesting with all the fantasy with San Francisco a few decades ago. The main characters have to go and leave San Francisco after they are attacked and travel across the sea to avenge the deaths of certain people who were very important in their lives. They are attacked even more and come up against a lot of roadblocks. Laurence Yep incorporated a Hawaiian goddess who was crazy and nice. Yet, I thought the story was just a little undeveloped, maybe because it was the first book in a trilogy. I felt like it was trying to wrap up everything while introducing new ideas and plot twists at the same time. I didn't connect with the book, but that it just my opinion. It is good for the ages eleven to twelve or thirteen.

Reviewer's Name
Carli

Book Review: Hoot

Author
Hiaasen, Carl
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

I LOVE Carl Hiaasen but I was a little disappointed in this book. Maybe it was because it was aimed at a younger crowd. It was good, but I've come to expect greatness from Hiaasen. I read this book to see if it was something my 12 year old nephew would like. I'm going to read Chomp next. Hopefully it'll reach the impossibly high standard set by the master of Florida humor.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: How to Train Your Dragon

Author
Cowell, Cressida
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

Don’t expect this book to be much like the movie-DO expect it to be even better! Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III does not want to be the next Chief of the Hooligan tribe, but as the chief’s son, he must. When he is only able to capture a small, toothless dragon to train, he’s sure he is doomed. But Old Wrinkly assures him “A Hero of the Future is going to have to be clever and cunning, not just a big lump with overdeveloped muscles.” Hiccup’s cleverness allows him to become the best dragon trainer ever, but is it enough to save the tribe from Seadragonus Giganticus Maximus? These nine books are hysterically funny, especially in audio, but then you’ll miss the author’s amusing illustrations-a difficult choice!

Reviewer's Name
Elisabeth

Book Review: Cardcaptor Sakura - Book 1

Author
CLAMP
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

Probably the first manga I actually got in to (other than Pokemon!).
Very good first book. I immediately was drawn into the storyline and eagerly read the next book. I was surprised how big it was...I guess I didn't know I was getting the omnibus edition! (all it said was Cardcaptor Sakura Book 1...^.^').

The basic storyline is that a 4th grader named Sakura Kinomoto walks into her father's library and finds a mysterious book titled "The Clow". Upon opening it, a strange but cute creature comes out who says his name is Cerberus.

Sakura decides to call him, cutely, Kero-chan. Kero is surprised to find that all the cards residing in the Clow book have disappeared. Kero immediatly makes Sakura a Cardcaptor-kind of like a magical girl, but this girl (or boy in Syaoran's case) collects Clow Cards.

I have never seen the anime (mostly because I don't like the anime plot as much) but I enjoyed the manga a lot. The characters are very loveable.Sakura's rival, Syaoran Li, is probably my all-time favorite character now. I admit, I did not like him when I had only read the first book. Believe me, if you feel the same way after reading this book, you will definitely fall in love with him by the end of the series (by the end of the series I mean reading the first series AND the second series [Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow]). The second series is much more romantically revolved, so I found it much more adorable.

In my opinion, I would give this whole series...10 stars!! (if only...)

Reviewer's Name
Cardcaptor Asu-nyan

Book Review: Anne of Green Gables

Author
Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

I love Anne. She is such a terrific role model for girls young and old. This book is very well written. The story unfolds in a leisurely way with lush descriptions of nature and imagination. I enjoyed how the relationship between Marilla and Anne grew into one of deepest love. Each time I read this book I get something new out of it. This time it was the understanding that achievement means hard work and sacrifice. Simple enough, but not something one necessarily thinks of when stating a lofty ambition. I can't wait to read Anne of Avonlea!

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: Inkheart

Author
Funke, Cornelia
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

His book is extremly awesome a girls dad is reading to her and whatever he reads comes out the book alive, the girl can read it but the things do not come alive just the dad can read it to make it come alive. I cant tell you anymore you have to check it out... Good luck reading it... Enjoy and thank you

Reviewer's Name
Jillian

Book Review: Junie B. Jones Series

Author
Park, Barbara
Rating
1 star = Yuck!
Review

The books about this kindergartner and then first grader may be funny, but they do not help any child learn or improve in reading. Junie B. Jones is disrespectful and says things that her parents don't like. I read these when I was about six or so and will never forget them. I colored the "bad words"
(stupid, dumb, hate, etc.) over in black!

Reviewer's Name
Emma S.

Book Review: Ring of Five Trilogy

Author
McNamee, Eoin
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

In this trilogy, the boy Danny leaves his parents to be trained at Wilsons School of Spies--but that wasn't the school his parents thought they were sending him to! As the trilogy progresses, Danny is caught in webs of truth vs. treachery when he is discovered to be the fifth member of the Ring of Five, an evil group of people trying to take over the Upper and Lower Worlds.

Reviewer's Name
Emma S.