The library has compiled a large variety of Book Reviews from staff and through programs such as Read It & Rate It. These reviews are available to you to help you make an educated decision on titles you’d like to read.
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Charmed and Dangerous Clique series by Lisi Harrison Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lisi Harrison goes back in time in Charmed and Dangerous to explain how the Pretty Committee was formed. Massie was in a different clique first called the Ahnnabees. She was fed up with them so she told them and her new charmes ended up scattered about Merri Lee’s New Year’s Eve Party. Kristn, Dylan, and Alicia each … Read more
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Zoe Elias is ten, going on eleven, and she’s planning to be the next child prodigy playing piano at Carnegie Hall. Unfortunately, her father sidetracks her big plans by getting her an organ (the Perfectone D60) instead of the baby grand piano she’s got her heart set on. No matter. Zoe decides to become proficient at the Perfectone … Read more
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) I love how this book is sprinkled with Japanese words. And not just ones that you would hear anyway, but things like “kira-kira” – glittering – or “katsu” – triumph. This is the story of Katie’s family, how they move from a small Japanese community in Iowa to an even smaller Japanese community in Georgia. Katie, from the time she is born, is … Read more
Hamster and Cheese Guinea PIG #1 by Colleen AF Venable illustrated by Stephanie Yue Funny Mystery Graphic Novel * * * * Stars (Great!) Sasspants the guinea pig lives in a pet shop with a bunch of other animals. The owner of the shop, Mr. Venezi, has really bad eyesight, though, and doesn’t know much about the animals he’s selling. As a result, most of their cages are grossly mislabeled – the hamsters are “koalas,” … Read more
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary by Jeff Kinney Juvenile Non-fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Jeff Kinney has written a behind-the-scenes look at the Wimpy Kid Movie that’s just as entertaining as his bestselling book series. Not only does it capture the same humor and charm of Greg Heffley’s diaries, but it also provides a lot of insider information about how movies get made (and, of course, how this movie in particular was made). … Read more
Fablehaven Fablehaven #1 by Brandon Mull Fantasy * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Kendra and Seth believe they are in for a long boring visit at their grandparents’ country home. The wooded property begs to be explored, but they are not allowed to enter the woods or go into the barn, and there are so many rules, they will never have any fun! Deciding to bend the rules, they venture out and discover … Read more
Alphas Alphas series #1 by Lisi Harrison Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty Good) Alphas is about an island where 100 talented girls go to learn and compete for the Alpha title. Shira Brazille, the most respected woman in the world, created this island and she has 5 sons. The most important rule is that the girls stay away from Shira’s sons, but this rule tends to be broken. The book focuses … Read more
At First Sight by Catherine Hapka Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Lauren has always been the quiet shadow of her flirty best friend Britt. She has never even been on a date. All of this changes, though, when she sets eyes on an amazingly hot guy on a school field trip. He encountered her too, but at the brief moment the sparks flew between them, it was dark. When … Read more
Emmaline and the Bunny by Katherine Hannigan Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This would make a delightful read-aloud for grades 1-4. Author/illustrator, Hannigan, embraces word play and fun in this charming story of a young girl’s quest to be true to herself and be lonely no more. The book’s short chapters and big illustrations make it a good transition to longer juvenile fiction. Reviewed by Debbie Luetscher, Youth Services Staff
Little Pea by Amy Krause Rosenthal illustrated by Jen Corace Picture book * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This tongue-in-cheek take on cleaning one’s plate is humorous fun for kids and grown-ups alike. “If you want to grow up to be a big, strong pea, you have to eat your candy.” Papa Pea tells Little Pea. That’s a tall order, but Little Pea acquiesces. And what’s for dessert? You might be surprised. Corace’s signature … Read more