From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess – Read it and Rate it

From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess book #1 by Meg Cabot Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) 6th grader Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison suddenly starts getting bullied by Annabelle, a fellow 6th grader, for being a princess. Olivia has no idea why because she is NOT a princess! But she finds out that she actually is when Princess Mia picks her up from school one day and … Read more

Night Diary – book review

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Nisha and her twin brother Amil (12 years old) become refugees when their country gains its independence from British rule in 1947 and is split into two nations – India and Pakistan.  Because she and her family (father, grandmother, and brother) are considered Hindu (even though Nisha and Amil’s mother was Muslim) they must leave the home they have … Read more

Blended – book review

Blended by Sharon M. Draper Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Isabella is eleven years old and her parents are divorced with joint custody, so every Sunday there’s an EXCHANGE at the mall and Isabella spends the week with the assigned parent.  The dissolution of their marriage wasn’t exactly amicable and they still get under each other’s skin despite being in serious long-term relationships with other people.  Isabella likes her parents’ … Read more

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler – book review

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler By E.L. Konigsburg Adventure Juvenile Fiction Mystery Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Feeling unappreciated and taken advantage of, Claudia decides to teach her parents a lesson by running away. Because she’s a planner, and accustomed to a certain standard of living (and comfort) she decides to invite her younger brother Jamie (who saves ALL of his money) on her escapade. Jamie is up … Read more

Welcome, Wombat – book review

Welcome, Wombat True Tales of Rescue series by Kama Einhorn Juvenile/Tween Nonfiction Wombats Animal Rescue * * * * Stars (Great!) Chance, the wombat, narrates a welcome to newly rescued “pinky” Panzer and shares wombat facts and information about the sanctuary and humans who have taken them in to raise and keep safe until such a time comes when they can return to the wild.  Details about wombat nature and habits is imparted in a … Read more

Boxcar Children (series) – Read It and Rate It

The Boxcar Children (series) by Gertrude Chandler Warner Adventure Mystery Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This book is amazing.  The characters are wonderful.  Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are all orphans, but are also brothers and sisters.  The only way that they can be together is by trying to make it on their own.  Later in the story they find a boxcar that they live in for a short period of … Read more

Ghost – book review

Ghost Track #1 by Jason Reynolds Realistic Fiction Sports * * * * Stars (Great!) Castle Cranshaw (aka Ghost) ends up on the Defenders track team after schooling one of its sprinters – even in rolled up jeans and old high tops, Ghost is faster.  Although Ghost isn’t really interested in running, Coach convinces him that it’ll help his basketball game.  While that isn’t necessarily true, Ghost discovers that he loves running and he likes … Read more

Thea Stilton and the Spanish Dance Mission – Read It and Rate It

Thea Stilton and the Spanish Dance Mission Geronimo Stilton series by Thea Stilton Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The Thea sisters have another mission in Spain!  They have to help two rival families come together as one.  When their family fan disappears, the two families have to work together to get it back.  In the end, they realize that they should not be enemies, but friends.

Thea Stilton and the Journey to the Lion’s Den – Read It and Rate It

Thea Stilton and the Journey to the Lion’s Den Geronimo Stilton series by Thea Stilton Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In Africa, on another mission, the Thea sisters go to an animal reserve to take pictures for a project for school.  But when a cub disappears they turn a school project into a mission.  They find out that their cub will be transported to another country and be sold … Read more