Flip by Martyn Bedford

Flip

Martyn Bedford

Wendy Lamb Books

2011

This book was awesome!  It’s the story of Alex who, one morning, wakes up inside Phillip “Flip” Garamond’s body.  He doesn’t know how he got there, but his body is in a coma and he’s not sure if the switch is permanent or if there is a way for him to return to his body.  Living someone else’s life is extremely complicated and as Alex tries to figure out if he should stay Flip or return to Alex he continually gets himself in trouble and can’t seem to keep his emotions or actions in check.  Eventually he meets someone who has had the same experience, which helps, but when he learns that his family (Alex’s) is thinking about removing life support, he is faced with a very difficult choice – figure out a way to return to his own body or spend the rest of his life as Flip.  I really enjoyed this book – it made me think about what makes my life good and what annoys me about life.  I wouldn’t give it a ten out of ten because it was a little slow in certain parts, but overall I liked the idea, the plot and the resolution.  I’d give it a nine out of ten.

Reviewed by the Librarian 100th Grade

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
Ally Carter
Hyperion
2007

Cammie, short for Cameron, is a 15 year old girl. She is seeking to find adventure at her all-girl spy school, Gallagher Academy. After a mission to Washington D.C., the headmistress, Cammie’s mom, decides to bring boys from Blackthorne Academy to train with the Gallagher girls. When they have an enemy in their hands, will Cammie, Macey, Bex, and Liz, all roommates, figure out all the mysteries?
Carter writes in a mysterious way that makes you want to keep reading. The mood/tone in most of the book is happy, mysterious, and at times humorous. When a new part of the book comes, you don’t always expect what’s coming. I would recommend this book to 5th-8th grade girls, because it’s a fun book that deals with crushes and girl stuff. Carter wrote this book in a series of three books. The books are, I’d Tell You I Love You, Then I’d Have to Kill You; Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy; and Don’t Judge a Girl By Her Cover. I really liked this book, and hope you enjoy it.

Reviewed by Analise 7th Grade

Johnny Hangtime by Dan Gutman

Johnny Hangtime
Dan Gutman
Harper Trophy 2000

Johnny Hangtime has been “run over by trucks, hit by machine gun fire, thrown through plate glass windows, and drowned in quick sand” (113). He is a stunt kid in Dan Gutman’s exciting, adventure book, Johnny Hangtime. Johnny lost his dad three years ago when he died doing a stunt at Niagara Falls. Now Johnny does stunts for a movie star named Rickey Corvette. He is going to follow in his dad’s footsteps and go over Niagara Falls. Johnny hasn’t gone to Niagara Falls since his dad died. His director, Roland, wants to do a stunt movie from start to finish.  This dream is coming true and Roland asks Johnny to do a Niagara Falls gag.  They went to Niagara Falls and then an accident happens again.

I recommend this book to kids who are in middle school.  But remember one thing.  Don’t try these stunts at home!

Reviewed by Evan 7th Grade

Zach’s Lie by Roland Smith

Zach's Lie
Roland Smith
Hyperion Paperbacks 2003

Roland’s book “Zach’s Lie” just mesmerized me with its mystery and crimes, Zach (aka) Zack and his family are in a particular situation where they have to hide from the FBI and the other people who think they are trying to help them but the lives of the Granger (aka) the Robinsons aren’t falling for it they know that there dad is in a Mexican detention center. Zach, Wanda and their mom Neil are being watched, and Zach and Wanda (aka) Joanna hope to be able to rescue their dad. Zach might be going back to school, but he is really wondering if he might be able to get his dad out of jail for drug dealing.

“Zach’s Lie” has a very unique style, it’s like a secret within a secret and a mystery at the same time. The type of person I would recommend this book to would be 13 or older because it has a lot of suspense and disappearing.  I want to read it again when I’m a little older because then I could get to understand it a little better.

Reviewed by Samantha 7th Grade

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Lord of the Flies

William Golding

Lord of the Flies is a book about a group of British boys who crash land on a deserted island. All goes well until Jack the hunter’s leader decides to leave the main group of boys led by Ralph. Many boys go with Jake because they’re hunters or want the pig meat or the pork he provides. The beast on the island keeps the boys out of the jungle but not for long. Jack and his group of boys hunt for pig. One time they leave the sows head on a stick for the beast. A boy walks back to find the beast – or the Lord of the Flies – standing watching his flies eat the head. The boy runs back to Jack were Ralph is talking. He dies at their feet, sending people into frenzy. In the frenzy Jack kills Piggy a fat boy with glasses. After that its Ralph’s blood Jack wants and everyone else is too scared to do anything but go with it. They burn down the island in their attempts to kill him. This goes on until rescue arrives.

                I found this book great. To me it represents what happens when we as a group just follow without question. It’s like when people celebrate and push over a car. If you ask them why, there is a good chance they will say “well everyone was doing it”. To me this book shows humanity at its worst. I would still give it a 10 out of 10 though.

Review by Anna 7th grade