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Book Reviews

Book reviews submitted by teens during the 2010 Summer Reading Program:

The Dragonfly Pool, by Eva Ibbotson (J Ibbotson)

The Dragonfly Pool, by Eva Ibbotson, is a fabulous book! The plot is captivating.  In this story, a prince has to escape his country with the help of his new friends.~ Isabella, 13

Journey to the River Sea, by Eva Ibbotson (J Ibbotson)

Journey to the River Sea, by Eva Ibbotson, is very well written. The characters, Maia and Finn, are thorough and come alive in the book. ~ Isabella, 13

The Battle of the Labyrinth, by Rick Riordan (YA Riordan)

The Battle of the Labyrinth, by Rick Riordan, is very suspenseful. At the end of every chapter there was a cliffhanger, and left me wanting more. ~ Isabella, 13

The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver (FIC Kingsolver)

I did not like The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver. The book about Taylor Greer was well-written, but the topic didn't interest me. ~ Isabella, 13

The Last Olympian, by Rick Riordan (YA Riordan)

I recommend this book.  The Last Olympian has fabulous writing structure, and the plot certainly captures my interest.  My favorite part is the end, when Percy's prophecy finally becomes true.  I recommend the Percy Jackson series to all Middle School students. ~ Isabella, 13

Nightrise, by Anthony Horowitz (YA Horowitz)

This is the 3rd book in the Gate Keepers series and is very thrilling. It was fun to read and there are more books like it.  ~ Charlie, 12

Heroes of the Valley, by Jonathan Stroud (YA Stroud)

This is a very well written book.  I like most of the events and the book made sense to me.~ Charlie, 12

Raven's Gate, by Anthony Horowitz (YA Horowitz)

I recommend this book because it is thrilling.  It is also well written. ~ Charlie, 12

Updated May 2010:

Sixth graders at Norwell Middle School suggest these "read-alikes" -- if you've read one, you might like the other:

If you have read the book The Clique by Lisi Harrison you are willing to read the fairly similar teen drama book, The Private by Kate Brian. ~ Vicky

If you liked The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, you'll love the thrilling and adventurous story Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J. K. Rowling. ~ Carolyn

The Million-Dollar Throw is a great book for all! If you’re a sports fan, you’ll especially love it. It’s a book with pure luck, action, disappointment, and comedy all combined together. The main character, Nate Brodie, is a 13 year-old quarterback living in Valley, Massachusetts. He leads his team into every victory for every game they win. When he signs up to make a 30-yard throw on Thanksgiving night for one million dollars, he is picked. Once he is chosen, everything starts to go downhill for him. He starts to struggle in football games, and his best friend Abby, a painter who is always there for Nate at every game, is going blind. Worse yet, Nate’s family is having financial troubles. Will Nate make the throw to support his family with a million dollars? Will Abby really go blind? You’ll have to read the book to find out! ~ Jack

If you liked adventurous and exciting The Lightning Thief you're suyre to love intelligent and fantastic Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. ~ Maeve

If you liked Stephenie Meyer's action packed romantic Twilight you're sure to love Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy.  ~ Malika

If you liked Colleen Murtagh Paratore's Forget Me Not you're sure to love the lazy beach read adventure Keeping the Moon, by Sarah Dessen. ~ Carolyn

If you liked Ann M. Martin's adventurous, heartfelt A Dog's Life, you're sure to love Ingrid Lee's courageous, and exciting Dog Lost. ~ Maeve

If you liked the mystical and adventurous world of C. S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe you'll be sure to love the magical short stories of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, by J. K. Rowling. ~ Jake

If you like Stephenie Meyer's mysterious romance in Twilight, you are sure to love Sarah Dessen's unpredictable, Along for the Ride. ~ Juliet

Posted August 2007:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, by J. K. Rowling (YA Rowling)

Although Rowling's writing may have faltered, she did not fail to give us yet another rich plot. She showed us the humanity and mortality of some of her previously more archetypical characters and shocked readers with the depth of a most loved character. ~ Kaleigh, 14

The Gourmet Zombie, by Paul Zindel (YA Zindel)

The main characters P. C. Hawke and Mac traveled around many places in new York. I liked that I could relate to them. ~ Alli, 13

Shot from Midfield, by Tommy Hallowell (JSP Hallowell)

Soccer is my favorite sport so I liked reading about kids playing in games. Many of the challenges Justin faced while playing soccer, I could relate to. ~ Alli, 13

The Phantom of 86th Street, by Paul Zindel (YA Zindel)

I liked that the author kept the reader interested by keeping the murderer's identity a secret. In addition, the many suspects in this mystery were interesting. ~ Alli, 13

Death on the Amazon, by Paul Zindel (YA Zindel)

I liked to hear about the foreign animals and fish like the piranhas. Also, the victim of the murder used a trick to write who the murderer was and that interested me. ~ Alli, 13

Keep in Touch: Letters, Notes and More from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, by Ann Brashares (YA Brashares)

It was written all in notes, letters, and just little messages. This made it interesting to read all the little notes. ~ Jacki, 13

The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline Cooney (YA Cooney)

I liked how Jaine's parents turned out to be her grandparents. I also liked how Jaine's last name was so different. Finally I like how the book had many different turns. ~ Ashley, 12

Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder (J Wilder)

I liked how they traveled for days in one wagon. I also like how Laura grew up in Kansas, with her whole family. ~ Ashley, 12

It's Not Easy Being Mean, by Lisi Harrison (YAP Harrison)

The characters were intersting and there was both mystery and comedy combined in the storyline. I was a great book! ~ Jacki, 13

Kissing Doorknobs, by Terry Spencer Hesser (YAP Hesser)

It was really entertaining, but also touching. The action moveed along quickly and held my interest. I couldn't stop reading! ~ Jacki, 13

Sports Illustrated for Kids, May 2007 (JMA)

I like the milestone picture and the preview. ~ Pat, 12

Heaven Eyes, by David Almond (J Almond)

I liked when they had named one of the character January because he was born in that month. I also liked when they ran away from whitegates and they went down a river on a raft. ~ Ashley, 12

The Music of Dolphins, by Karen Hesse (YA Hesse)

The way it's written -- from the point of view of Mila, a girl raised by dolphins -- really lets you see what Mila is thinking as she grows from dolphin girl to human girl. It's really interesting, and really gets you thinking. ~ Jacki, 13

Seedfolks, by Paul Fleischman (YAP Fleischman)

Seedfolks tells the story of how many different people in Cleveland turn a trashy vacant lot into a beautiful garden. It is told from the points of view of 13 different gardeners, each with a different ethnicity and life story. Since each chapter is told so differently, Seedfolks grabs your attention and portrays an important message without being sappy-sweet. ~ Jacki, 13

Foal in the Fog, by Ben M. Baglio (JSE Animal Ark)

I liked that Mandy's parents were vets. I also like how the foal belonged to a little girl, and how she named it Curiosity. ~ Ashley, 12

Sports Illustrated for Kids, April 2007 (JMA)

I like the articles on Greg Oden and Joe Mauer. I also like the Fantasy Baseball guide. And the What's the Call. ~ Pat, 12

Posted previously:

Wolf Rider by Avi (J Avi)
This book was OK. It was pretty freaky though. You really need all the details to get what the book means.
~ Heidi, 12

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (J Babbitt)
I hated this book. I do not recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy their reading.
~ Maggie, 12

Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech (J Creech)
This was a great book. I liked all of Sharon Creech's books were great.
~ Jen, 12

This book is about Zinny who discovers a 20 mile trail in her back yard. She thinks this is her own place that is quiet and only for her. Except she's being stalked by someone in love with her.
~ Adrienne, 12

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (J Curtis)
It was very good. I recommend you read it.
~ Jon, 12

Remote Man by Elizabeth Honey (J Honey)
I enjoyed reading "Remote Man" because it was full of excitement and adventure! There are quite a few characters to keep track of which can get a little confusing but it is still a good book all the same.
~ Patrick

The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr (J Karr)
This great book is about a 15 year old boy named Simon Green. After he completes 3rd grade for the fourth time, he gets kicked out of school. He decides it's time to do something with his life, so he buys 1,000 turkeys and sets off for Denver with his mules and wagons to sell the turkeys for $5 apiece. Will Simon succeed in bringing the turkeys to Denver????? Read the book and find out!
~ Ryan

The 7th Knot by Kathleen Karr (J Karr)
In my opinion, this was not too great a book. As exciting as the summary may sound, most of the book was actually rather dull and boring and doesn't really hold your attention. Also, the boys' behavior in the book is really dangerous. Reading this book may encourage other people to act in the same way.
~ Patrick

How Angel Peterson Got His Name: And Other Outrageous Tales of Extreme Sports by Gary Paulsen (J B Paulsen)
In my opinion, this was a great book and I would recommend it to anyone. This book would appeal to people who like books with lots of action and adventure. Also, people who like funny books with hilarious antics would enjoy this book because Paulsen and his friends end up in funny situations almost every time they try another stunt!
~ Patrick

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (J Rowling)
The best book I ever read!
~ Kara, 12

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (J Rowling)
I liked this book for many reasons. One is it was suspenseful. It also had a lot of action and wizardry.
~ Andrew, 13

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (J Rowling)
I loved that book! It was interesting and exciting. You kept wanting to come back for more.
~ Heidi, 12

In my mind it is the best HP book. It is one of my favorite books. I would recommend it to any fantasy lover.
~ Jen, 11

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (J Rowling)
This book was awesome. I would recommend it to people of all ages.
~ Maggie, 12

Dust by Arthur Slade (J Slade)
This book would be good for someone who like stories about the supernatural. It got a little slow in the middle, but does have some scary parts which people could find interesting.
~ Ryan

The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket (J Snicket)
I finished this book on the second day I had it! I couldn't put it down.
~ Heidi, 12

Thief of Dreams by Todd Strasser (J Strasser)
This was a relatively good book with many twists and turns that kept you wondering what would happen next. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.
~ Ryan