Reviewer's name: Carrie B.
Role: student
Grade: 7
Book title: Marley & Me
Author: John Grogan
Category: biography/autobiography
Summary: Marley is the world's worst dog. This story is about an obnoxious yellow lab who has the most energy in the world. John expresses the life lessons he learns from hairy friend. I was surprised about all of the crazy antics this dog has, but also a sweet sensitive side, that helps the family get through hard times. This sweet novel shows the fun dogs have created in our lives, and the fun things we learn from them.
Personal response: Yes, I loved this book so much, even though it is a little sad in the end.
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Reviewer's name: Carrie B.
Role: student
Grade: 7
Book title: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Category: historical fiction
Summary: The Logan family is the only black family in Southern Mississipi with their own land. The 4 Logan children meet a boy named T.J. who leads the eldest boy, Stacey into trouble. But T.J. starts hanging around the Wallace store, and with white boys. Despite the discrimination, the boy thinks he's made friends. When he gets into some late night trouble, the Logans have to help. This book illustrates the meaning of true friendship and the problems blacks faced in the 1800's through 1900's and still do today.
Personal response: I would most definitely recommend this book. It is so well written and engaging that you can't put it down.
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Reviewer's name: Carrie B.
Role: student
Grade: 7
Book title: Thunder from the Sea
Author: Joan Hiatt Harlow
Category: historical fiction
Summary: An orphan named Tom finally gets chosen to live at a fisherman's house in Newfoundland. Enoch and Fiona are excited to have Tom, and his furry friend Thunder. Tom finds Thunder in a rain storm, swimming in the sea. But when Fiona gets pregnant, and it looks like Thunder's real owner might be coming along, Tom is in a rough position. Along with dealing with the greedy neighbors jealous of Thunder, Tom must get Fiona to a doctor who will help with the baby's delivery. Tom has to choose to put his beloved Thunder to work, even though the owner might spot him. A tital wave and an earthquake don't make things much easier for Tom. Tom ends up getting the baby delivered safely, and he gets to keep his hero Thunder, who not only saved Fiona, but many thankful citizens of Newfoundland.
Personal response: Yes, I would recommend it because I liked the book a lot. If you don't enjoy history, then you wouldn't like this book. It keeps you very engaged, until the last page.
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Reviewer's name: Carrie B.
Role: student
Grade: 7
Book title: The Magician's Nephew
Author: C.S. Lewis
Category: fiction
Summary: Digory is a young boy in the 1800s whose mother is suffering a slow and painful death. When he meets Polly, the girl next door, he experiences adventure. Digory's evil Uncle Andrew makes them enter a whole new world through touching rings to their fingers. In this whole new world, Digory awakens a witch who is determined to take over the world. They need the powerful lion Aslan's help to defeat the Witch Jadis and help Digory's mother.
Personal response: I liked this book, but it takes a couple chapters to get into. At first the book was boring, but it gets a lot better as you go on. It is fun to see how Narnia came to be.
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Reviewer's name: Carrie B.
Role: student
Grade: 7
Book title: The Princess Diaries
Author: Meg Cabot
Category: fiction
Summary: Mia thinks there is nothing worse than being a poofy haired, flat chested freshman. But her life gets turned around when she finds out she's a princess. Mia must go through a lot, and her emotions are expressed through her diary entries. Besides dealing with her evil Grandmere, Mia has to face a whole new makeover and finding out who her real friends are. This tale shows the troubles of being a teennager and the things we go through.
Personal response: I think I would recommend it to teen girls, but definitely not boys. This book is pretty good, but there are a few swear words and brief inappropraite moments. Overall, funny and mostly clean for teens.
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Reviewer's name: Carrie B.
Role: student
Grade: 7
Book title: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
Category: biography/autobiography
Summary: This is a diary of the words of a young girl living during the Holocaust. She is Jewish, and the family must go from spoiled rotten to poor beyond bare. They had to face boredom, and hunger, all being as quiet as a mouse. Through her diary Anne expresses her personal feelings and likes, dislikes, and annoyances. It's very personal.
Personal response: No I would not recommend it, because I think that there are a lot better stories out there. I think it goes by too slowly. If you can grasp the information without getting bored, then you'll like it.
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