Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Jen and her mother move to the country with her mom’s boyfriend, Walter, so mom can follow her dreams of being a farmer. But for Jen, who has had no choice in the matter, it’s kind of a nightmare. She’s had to leave her home in the city, her dad (when her parents divorced), and now has all kinds of … Read more
Hunger Winter by Rob Currie Adventure Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars This book was extremely enjoyable. Depicting strong emotions, “Hunger Winter” will pull you in throughout all of its chapters. The characters are realistic, and enjoyable to read about. The plot and conflict are well laid out, constructing a book I would always recommend. Growing in his faith, Dirk is tested on a journey. He learns to discern, and he … Read more
The School for Good and Evil book #1 by Soman Chainani Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “The School for Good and Evil” tells the story of Sofie and Agatha. Sofie wishes to be a princess and Agatha wishes to live alone, but when they find themselves at the School for Good and Evil, there seems to be a mistake. Sofie finds herself in the school for Evil and Agatha … Read more
Friendship According to Humphrey According to Humphrey series #2 by Betty G. Birney Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Friendship According to Humphrey” is a must read. The book starts out with Humphrey going back to school and Mrs. Brisbane hinting at a surprise. The surprise turns out to be Og the frog. Humphrey tries to be friendly, but Og is silent. The class in room 26 is writing poems, and … Read more
Trouble According to Humphrey According to Humphrey series #3 by Betty G. Birney Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Trouble According to Humprey” is an enjoyable book. In Room 26, a town called “Humpreyville” is invented and there are also ‘jobs.’ When Humphrey gets out of his cage, he gets Miranda in trouble, and she is ‘fired.’ Humphrey feels awful, because he can get out of his cage and it wasn’t … Read more
The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “The House of Sixty Fathers” is a book by Meindert DeJong about a Chinese boy. Tien Pao and his family have to escape from Japanese soldiers who are attacking his village. They are staying in Hengyang, and then Tien Pao meets a ‘Yellow River God.’ He takes him across the river and then loses … Read more
Sunny Rolls the Dice Sunny #3 by Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Sunny is settling into middle school and discovering that she and her best friend Deb are starting to develop different interests. Deb is super into fashion, boys, and being cool (or rather, “groovy”). Sunny, on the other hand, wants to play D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) with some other friends. For awhile, Sunny is … Read more
The Giver The Giver Quartet #1 by Lois Lowry Dystopian Science Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A boy named Jonas is chosen as a Receiver at the Ceremony of 12, and begins his training. He is a little frightful because he will have to feel pain, and in his community there is no pain, no feelings, and no color! When The Giver starts to teach him feelings, he realizes that … Read more
The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner Fantasy Graphic Novel Historical Fiction Supernatural Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Moth discovers that she’s a real, honest-to-goodness witch with witch powers – a fact that her mother has been keeping from her ALL her life. When mom won’t divulge any additional details and refuses to teach Moth how to master her powers, Moth takes matters into her own hands. (Well, she has the help of Mr. … Read more
Snakehead Alex Rider #7 by Anthony Horowitz Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Alex Rider wanted to stop being used by M16, but his hopes were not respected. When ASIS (Australian Intel) puts him on the case of his life, so he is put on a mission to stop Snakehead, the most notorious gang in southern Asia. Then, Alex has to detonate a missile to save thousands of lives in Australia. … Read more