Princess Academy: Book 1

 Princess Academy

Princess Academy is about Miri, a girl 14 years old, having to go to an academy to learn how to be a princess so the prince can choose his betrothed. They study hard and learn surprising things. They make friends and have to take tests. When the prince comes to the ball and chooses no girl though, all of them are surprised. They continue their studies in order to be ready for the next time the prince comes. Miri and her friends have to show bravery to stand up to their mean tutor, defeat bandits, and keep their friendship. Can they do this? Which one of them will become the princess? This book was written by Shannon Hale. I would rate this book 5 out of 5. It was one of the best books I've read. You can't put the book down because of how good it is. My favorite character in this book is probably Britta, a friend that Miri makes at the academy. Britta may be different then the rest of the group, but she is kind an sweet. She is just the best person. She showed Miri kindness when nobody else did. You see how she's my favorite now? I would recommend this to people who like Ella Enchanted. Have fun reading! 

Pay Attention, Carter Jones

 Pay Attention, Carter Jones

Pay Attention, Carter Jones is about a butler coming to Carter Jone's house one day. The Butler helps out while Carter's family face many problems like:

• Carter's dad not coming back to America after he meets another family in Germany
• Having to get through 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade with only a mom (Carter is in 6th grade, his sisters are in the other grades)

 The Butler gets Carter and his friend, Billy, into cricket and over time the 8th grade cross country/football team also fall in love with it. Carter has to survive challenges, can the Butler help him? This book was written by Gary D. Schmidt. I would definitely rate this book a 5 out of 5. This book was just everything that you want in a book. It was funny but sad, and the way that he writes his book just makes it so that you have to stick with Carter to the very end. My favorite person in this book is Carter. He is just so funny and kind and he is just the type of friend you want to have. If you like The Wednesday Wars, Okay for Now, and Just Like That, you will like this book. Have fun reading!

Restart

 Restart

Restart is about Chase Ambrose, the school bully falling off of the roof. He remembers nothing about his life, not his friends or teachers, his teammates or his enemies. He doesn't even know who his mom is! When he goes to school for the first time after falling off of the roof, many people are obviously afraid of him, but his friends and football teammates treat him like a hero. One girl is so mad at him, for something he doesn't remember, that she pours her frozen yogurt on his head! Soon the problem isn't who he is, it's who he was. This book was written by Gordon Korman. I would probably rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I liked this book, but it had the same plot structure as his other books. I could almost know what was going to happen before it even happened. Overall though, this was a pretty good book. My favorite person in this book might be Shoshanna Weber. She hates Chase at first, but soon she likes him and, well, it's kind of hard to explain. Just read the book and you might find out why I like her so much. If you like Ungifted you will probably like this book. Have fun reading!

The Gideon Trilogy: Book 1 The Time Travelers

 The Time Travelers

The Time Travelers is about two kids, Kate and Peter, who...well, they time travel! But instead of doing it on purpose, when they do it, they think that is has been a big mistake. At the beginning of the story, Peter has a fight with his dad before going to Derbyshire to celebrate his birthday with people he doesn't know. When Kate's dad decides to take Peter and Kate to his laboratory, a big problem happens. Peter and Kate disappear when they try to chase Molly to catch her before she destroys something! Dr. Dyer, Kate's dad, freaks out. Kate and Peter meet friends in the 18th century while trying to avoid getting captured by footpads, highway men, and the Tar Man, a new enemy trying to capture their best friend. When Kate's dad finally figures out what happened to them, and time travels back Kate and Peter are ready to leave. But when they finally get the chance to leave, and unexpected arrival joins them, and Peter is left behind in the 18th century! This book is written by Linda Buckley-Archer. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars because this book starts out a little slow, but as soon as they get to the 18th century, it is really suspenseful and fun to read. My favorite character in this book is Kate. She is just kind as well as fierce. She is funny and true to her promises. I would recommend this book to people who like Harry Potter.

The Magician

 The Magician

The Magician is about two kids who are twins; Sofie and Josh. In the first book, The Alchemist, Sofie and Josh met Nicholas Flamel. They found out that they are the key to the world surviving or getting destroyed. They have traveled to London to find any immortal to see if they could Awaken Josh's powers. In the second book, The Magician, they meet Joan of Arc and they meet a monster that hasn't been above ground in centuries, and Josh disappears with the monster. Can they save Josh and still have his powers Awakened? This book is written by Michael Scott. I think that this series is really good so far. I have been reading it with my dad so it has been going a little slow, but I still understand it. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is just so suspenseful, and awesome. I think that this book might be related to Harry Potter just a little bit because Nicolas was also mentioned in Harry Potter, but it might just be because Nicolas Flamel was a famous man in the 1800s in London, so many British authors use him in their work. My favorite character in this book is Nicolas because of how caring and kind he is. He is patient and he works hard to protect Sofie and Josh. If you like Harry Potter, this book is perfect for you! Have fun reading!

The Vanderbeekers Series

 The Vanderbeekers Series

The Vanderbeekers are a family of five children who live on 141st street in Harlem, New York. This series has four books which includes The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden, The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue, and The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found. In the first book (The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street) the children find out that their mysterious third floor neighbor, The Beiderman, isn’t allowing them to stay in their apartment. Can they find out who their neighbor is, and become friends with him so they can stay? In the second book (The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden) the Vanderbeekers neighbor on the second floor, Mr. Jeet, has a heart attack. While Isa, the oldest kid, is away at orchestra camp, her siblings, Laney, Hyacinth, Oliver, and Jessie, decide to make a garden as a surprise for their neighbor. Can they finish the garden in time? In the third book (The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue) the Vanderbeeker’s mom, finds out that she can’t bake in her kitchen with all of the animals that the kids are finding outside their door everyday. They need to allow their mom to cook, but if she can’t cook at home, where will she cook? In the fourth and final book (The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found) Orlando, the Vanderbeekers best friend, Orlando, is thinking about moving back to Georgia with his aunt because he has no home in. His aunt, Aunt Josie, who is also the Vanderbeekers second floor neighbor offers to become his legal guardian. The only problem is, she doesn’t have enough bedrooms. When Orlando disappears, Mr. Beiderman and Jessie go out to find him. I would rate this series five out of five stars. My favorite character in this book is Hyacinth because of how wise and quiet she is. I would recommend this book to people who like The Penderwicks. Have fun reading!

 

Book Scavenger: The Unbreakable Code

The Unbreakable Code

The Unbreakable Code is part of a series. The first book is Book Scavenger, and the third one is The Alcatraz Escape.  The Unbreakable Code is about Emily and James's teacher. He is acting weird in class and Emily and James believe that he is working on the unbreakable code. They start working on this unbreakable code. They spy on his Book Scavenger account, and strangely, fires are starting all over San Francisco! They decide to investigate, but are they too late? This book is written by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. My favorite character in this book is James. James is the kind of guy that you would want to be your friend. He is funny (he has a cowlick named Steve; what could be funnier?), smart, and kind. He sticks by you through thick and thin. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. It is funny and all, but it isn't as suspenseful as other books. I would recommend this book to people who like The Vanderbeekers. Have fun reading!

A Dog's Way Home

 A Dog's Way Home

A Dog's Way Home is about Bella, a stray who grew up with cats. Bella is found and brought to Lucas, her owner. She loves Lucas and Mom, and everything they do together. She does Go To Work with Olivia and Ty and Mack. But when Lucas realizes that "pit bulls" are not allowed in Denver, he has to send Bella to Durango where a loving family can take care of her until Lucas and Mom can find a new home. Bella misses Lucas like crazy and decides to do Go Home, a trick taught by Lucas to take her to a spot by the front door of their house where she can not be seen. She ventures through almost 400 miles of Colorado wilderness just to make her way back to Lucas. This book was written by W. Bruce Cameron. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I loved this book, and the only reason I rated it 4 stars is because I wish this book was just a little bit longer. I would love to hear more about Bella's life. My favorite character in this book is Bella because:

1. I love dogs
2. Bella is persistent and loving 

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes dogs, and people who are fans of W. Bruce Cameron. Have fun reading!