Moongarden – book review

Moongarden Plotting the Stars #1 by Michelle A. Barry Fantasy Science Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) In the future, on the Moon, where humans were forced to flee when the Earth’s plants turned against them, Myra Hodger is attending boarding school. Everyone expects her to follow in the footsteps of her Number Whisperer parents, but her talents lie elsewhere. If she doesn’t discover her particular brand of magic soon (she hasn’t shown any … Read more

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer – book review

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer Wimpy Kid series, #18 By Jeff Kinney Funny Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars Great! Greg Heffley’s middle school is in trouble. There have been a lot of budget cuts and the state is threatening to close the school if they don’t bring up their test scores. Greg relays – in hilarious detail – all of the ways the school administration has attempted to cut expenses as … Read more

Cookies & Milk – Read It and Rate It

Cookies & Milk by Shawn Amos Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) The book “Cookies & Milk” is really a page turner. Page after page, there are always exciting events. It starts off with a boy named Ellis Bailey Johnson. It was the last day of school and, instead of going home, he and his dad went to an abandoned warehouse and Ellis was told by his father that they were … Read more

Amy’s Big Brother – book review

Amy’s Big Brother by BonHyung Jeong Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) In this companion novel to “Kyle’s Little Sister,” we meet Amy’s big brother, Andrew. He thinks his little sister is super annoying (she is always in his business) and is thrilled that they’re going to different schools now that he’s in middle school. Andrew’s main love is basketball, until he meets Hannah. Now she’s all he can think about! … Read more

Duel – book review

Duel by Jessixa Bagley Illustrated by Aaron Bagley Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lucy (6th grader) and Gigi (older sis) are now going to the same middle school and it’s not ideal. The sisters have been fighting nonstop since their father passed away, and their quarrels carry over into their school lives, where, on their first day, Gigi trips Lucy in the cafeteria and Lucy challenges Gigi to a … Read more

Dark Lord’s Daughter – book review

The Dark Lord’s Daughter by Patricia Wrede Fantasy Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kayla learns that she’s from another world and that she’s REALLY the daughter of the Dark Lord Xavriel of Zaradwin, and her given name is Xavrielina (lame). She and her adoptive family (mom & brother) are whisked (by magic) back to Zaradwin where Kayla is to become the new Dark Lady. Her mom gets EXTREMELY upset and protective and keeps … Read more

Curlfriends – book review

Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller Graphic novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Charlie has lived all over the world as a military brat, but now that her dad is changing careers, the family has settled down in the same town where her folks grew up, and Charlie is looking forward to starting over at her new middle school. She studies fashion magazines for ideas and puts together a new … Read more

Enlighten Me – book review

Enlighten Me by Minh Le & Chan Chau Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Binh gets into trouble in school when he starts a fight with the kid who has been bullying him. Instead of being seen as a hero for standing up for himself, Binh finds that his family and the school administration are punishing him for his actions. His folks take the whole family away for a vacation retreat … Read more

Long Walk to Water – Read It and Rate It

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park Adventure Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) This book follows two stories. It starts with the story of Salva Dut in 1985. Throughout his life, the only home that Salva knew until the age of 11 was the small, South Sudanese village he lived in. He’s forced to flee his village to avoid the ongoing civil war in his country. … Read more

Spy Camp – book review

Spy Camp Spy School, book #2 Graphic Novel Mystery Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Ben Ripley started spy school in the first installment of this graphic novel series based on the books. Now he’s just been informed that ALL students are required to attend summer school, actually summer camp for prospective spies. Ben’s getting himself resigned to MORE school when he discovers that the evil spy organization, SPYDER is STILL after him … Read more