Confectionately Yours; Save The Cupcake! by Lisa Papademetriou

Save The Cupcake! is about a girl named Hayley who loves to bake cupcakes. Hayley faces some challenges, as her parents are divorced, her mom just lost her job, and the school board is planning to stop the distribution of sweets (mainly cupcakes) in the school. Hayley and her friend, Meghan will attempt to put a stop to it! Will they succeed? You'll have to find out! This book was very good in so many ways. One thing that I liked about the book is that every time Hayley talks about a cupcake, the author will put a recipe at the end of the chapter. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves cupcakes and baking.

Review by Olvia, Grade 5.

My Life as a Stuntboy by Janet Tashjian

My Life as a Stuntboy by Janet Tashjian

     This book is about a boy named Derek. Derek is just a plain old boy who is spotted by a man named Tony. Tony hires him for a stunt double role in a movie. Lots of things happen on set (like spotting a huge star) and at home (with troubles of his pet monkey).  I liked this book because I can really picture the action. The author really brought out details. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action, monkeys, and a great book.

Review by Olvia, grade 5

The Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin

The Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin

The Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin is a book about a dog named J.J. and a couple of chickens.  I picked this book because the author wrote 3 other books I liked when I was younger: Diary of a Spider, Diary of a Worm, and Diary of a Fly.  In this book, two chicks go missing.  J.J., Sugar, Dirt and, Moosh (Sugar, Dirt, and Moosh are chickens) have to find them.  Will they succeed?

I liked The Trouble with Chickens because it was very surprising. I liked J.J. because he didn’t like the chickens but agreed to help them.

I really liked the book.  I would recommend this book if you like books with a mystery or books that have dogs in them.                                                                                                                                                        

Review by Faye, Grade 5

Franny K. Stein, Attack of the 50-FT. Cupid by Jim Benton

Franny K. Stein, Attack of the 50-FT. Cupid by Jim Benton, is about a girl named Franny. Franny is a mad scientist. One day she went to school and had to find out how to make valentines. She was given a valentine that had a picture of Cupid on it to look at.  Igor, Franny’s dog, who was always trying to help, was playing with a ball that bounced away, hit a button, and made the Cupid on the valentine become real.  Cupid started shooting arrows at Igor but missed and hit a switch and made himself 50 feet tall.  Franny had to make herself 50 feet tall so she could stop Cupid.  Could she stop him?

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Franny rides a school bus like a skate board.  I like Franny because she has an interesting personality. She doesn’t know about a lot of normal things kids know about, like holidays, but can make a machine that will make her 50 feet tall.

I liked Franny K. Stein.  I would recommend this book if you like funny books.  If you don’t like books about mad scientists, you would not like this book.                                                                                                                             

Review by Faye, Grade 5

The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene

The Clue in the Old Album by Carolyn Keene

The Clue in the Old Album is a Nancy Drew mystery by Carolyn Keene. It is a great book about a detective who strives to find answers for a lady named Mrs.Struthers. Before Mrs.Struther's daughter died, a mystery began. When she was dying she said to find a certain doll for her daughter. That doll Nancy must find. I really liked reading this book because the plot thickened in every chapter. And the characters kept me guessing. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good mystery!

Review by Haley M. Grade 5

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is the third book of the Hunger Games series.  I wanted to read the book because the second book had a cliffhanger at the end and I wanted to see what happened.  Mockingjay continues the story of Katniss and her friends and family.  The Quarter Quell just ended and started a war against the Capitol and District 13.  Everyone, including Katniss, has just found out that District 13 really does exist.  Katniss has to decide if she wants to be the Mockingjay for District 13’s fight against the Capitol.  If she agrees, she can help the rebels by showing she is still alive and that District 13 is strong enough to beat the Capitol.  If she does it though, she will be in danger as well as her friends and family.

          I liked the book because it was an adventure with a lot of action.  In District 13 when they were having a lot of meetings before the war it was a little boring.  I liked Katniss, because she was willing to risk her life to save Panem.  I don’t know if I would be brave enough to do that.

          I would recommend the book and the whole series because of how amazing it was that Katniss survived the hard life of Panem.  People who don’t like violence should not read this book.                         

                              

                             

Review by Faye, Grade 5

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm 

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm, is a book in the time of the Great Depression.  I wanted to read this book because it looked the best on the summer reading list.  Turtle is the main character in this book.  Her mom got a housekeeping job but the person who hired Turtle’s mom did not like kids.  Turtle was sent to her aunt’s house in Florida.  There, she meets her cousins.  A lot is going on.  It’s hot, there’s hidden treasure to be found, and there’s a big storm on its way.

I liked the book because it had a lot of adventure in it.  It started out slow but got better. The real adventure starts when they go to find an island.  The boat gets lost with a big storm coming.  I liked Turtle because she was smart and responsible.

I would recommend this book because I would like to go on an adventure like that.  Turtle in Paradise reminded me a little of the movie The Goonies.  If you like adventure you will like this book.

Review by Faye, Grade 5

Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings

Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings

Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings is a book about a kid named Rufus who really wants a dog.  His dad hates dogs and says "no dog".  Rufus’s mom compromises and comes home from work with a Guinea Pig.  Little did Rufus know that his Guinea Pig would act like a dog. 

            I liked the book because it had some really funny parts like when Fido, the Guinea Pig, was in Rufus’s back pack and she chased him at recess.  I liked Rufus because at first he wanted to get rid of Fido but he eventually came to love her and told his friends they couldn’t have her.

          I liked Guinea Dog.  I’d recommend this book if you like books that are funny or have dogs in them. 

             

Review by Faye, Grade 5

Gossip From the Girls Room by Rose Cooper

        I recently finished a great novel, Gossip From The Girls' Room. This book is about blogger, Sofia known as the blogtastic blogger. Sofia hangs around in the girls' room collecting gossip, mainly about her annoying classmate Mia St. Claire and her sidekick , Penelope .

       I liked this book a lot because it is in a journal form, like Dork Diaries and Diary Of a Wimpy Kid. Because it is written this way, it takes a short period of time to read. The author did a great job with getting the interest of kids. I would recommend this book to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries fans or to anyone who wants to laugh!

       Review by Olvia, Grade 5     

Going for the Gold by Andrew Donkin

I recently finished reading Going for Gold!, written by Andrew Donkin. It is about the Olympics. Since it is going on in London this year, I wanted to tell you about it. Every two years the Olympics are held, switching between summer games and winter games. Every person's dream is to have a gold medal.

    The Olympics started in Athens, Greece in 1896. No women were allowed. If a women spectator was found, she was hurled off a nearby cliff. Things have come a long way since then! People come from all around the world to compete.

    There are many sports. The sports I enjoy watching the most are: gymnastics, track and field, swimming, soccer and diving. The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world!!

    I liked this book because it tells about  the history of the Olympics. It also tells about famous people that set world records and Olympic records. This book tells how much they practiced to be good at something. I would love to be in the Olympics. Wouldn't you?

    I would recommend it to people out there who are interested in the Olympics.

Reviewed by Mayuri V. Grade 4

My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe

My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe

I just finished reading a book called My Last Best Friend, written by Julie Bowe. This book is about a girl named Ida May who is in fourth grade. She goes to Purdee Elementary School in Wisconsin.  She really misses her best friend Elizabeth who moved away. Ida's enemy in school, Jenna, is really mean. She called Elizabeth “Elizabutt” and Ida “Iduh.”
     There is a new kid named Stacey Merriweather in school. She tells everyone  that she lives with a rich aunt, that her mom and dad interview people across the world, and that she has met the Queen of England. Everyone is drawn to her. Is she telling the truth?
     In school Ida puts secret letters for Stacey to see. She hides them behind the playground in the woods. Ida signs the letters as Cordelia. Stacey  knows about this. Meanwhile Jenna is busy talking and playing with her best friends- Brooke, Meeka, Jolene, and obviously Stacey. Why is Stacey friends with Jenna if she is so mean? Jenna is really bossy.
    Ida is thoughtful. She comes up with creative ideas. She is very good at drawing. Stacey is caring. She is also very nice, not like Jenna. I really thought this book was great because it was well written. Julie Bowe makes this book very understandable. You should read more of her books. I will too. It made me want to read more.


Review by Mayuri V. Grade 4 

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers: A King' s Ransom By Jude Watson

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers; Book 2: A King' s Ransom 

by Jude Watson

Spoiler alert! 

This review will reveal the ending of The Medusa Plot. 

I recently finished reading the book The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers; Book 2: A King' s Ransom By: Jude Watson. The story is about Amy and Dan Cahill as they struggle to find a lost map, missing for more than half a century! On top of that, the clock is ticking as the hostages (see Medusa Plot) start planning a method to escape. But new scares about their father may distract them and cost the hostages everything!  Will one hostage die? Will Amy and Dan save the day? You will have to read the next book.

This book is amazing. I can't think of a bad thing about it. The only thing you might not like about this book is that the ending is so suspenseful. So make sure you read number 3 right after. Other than that, just read the book!

Review by R.J.M. Grade 5

Tales Of A Sixth Grade Muppet By Kirk Scroggs

Tales of a Sixth-Grade Muppet by Kirk Scroggs

I recently finished reading a great book called: Tales Of A Sixth Grade Muppet By: Kirk Scroggs. The book tells the story of Danvers, a Sixth Grader whose hero is the Great Gonzo, but after being made fun of, all he wants is to be just like Gonzo. In case you don't know, Gonzo is a Muppet, so to be just like Gonzo Danvers would have to be a Muppet. And when he wakes up the next morning, he's a Muppet! Someone is up to something, because all the Muppet's are strangely appearing! But when he becomes a member of the Muppets, Danvers thinks being a muppet might not be so bad. But why are things appearing that weren't there before? How was Danver's transformed into a Muppet? You'll have to read the book to find out!

There are a lot of questions that this book didn't answer. I hope there is a second book. The book is good, so that would make me want me read a second, but I also want to read the end of the story. If you like the Diary of A Wimpy kid, then this book is right for you.

Review By R.J.M., Grade 5