Crimson Thread by Suzanne Weyn

Crimson Thread
Suzanne Weyn
Simon Pulse
2008

Crimson Thread is a remake of the classic fairytale Rumplestiltskin.  This version takes place in 1880, and the princess is actually an Irish immigrant named Bertie trying to make ends meet and help support her family.  Her father likes to embellish his stories and presents her as an amazing seamstress to his employer – the owner of a very large textile company.  When her father promises that she can create a beautiful dress in one night, Bertie thinks all is lost.  However, she is saved by a dark handsome stranger named Ray – someone she’s heard she should steer clear of.  When Bertie asks how she can repay him, he asks for her first-born child.  As time goes on, Bertie will find out just how serious Ray is.  Suzanne Weyn has created a wonderful story that is similar enough to the original but different enough to be compelling and interesting.  The strength of her characters and the mystery of Ray keep the reader turning pages wondering what will happen next.
Reviewed by the Librarian, 100th Grade

Blank Confession by Pete Hautman

Blank Confession

Pete Hautman

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

2010

This book is about a boy named Shayne Blank. He walked into the police station and confessed to the murder of a high school boy. Why did he kill him? How could he kill him? Detective Rawls asks himself, but as Shayne tell his story and as the truth is comes out Detective Rawls is forced to see that Shayne might be more than the shy new kid in town. But how much more?  I would rank this book a 7 of 10 because the ending was not very good, it seemed like he wanted to add too much to the book.

Reviewed by Anna 8th Grade

Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt

Okay For Now
Gary D. Schmidt
Clarion Books
2011

I give this book a ten out of ten.  This book is about a boy name Doug who has a Joe Pepitone New York Yankees baseball cap, but not for long because someone took it and traded for a pack of cigarettes and then drove a car with no top and now it’s in a gutter somewhere. Then Doug’s dad gets fired and his “fast hand” gives Doug a black eye, and they have to move. They ended up in a town called Marysville where he will start an adventure that you will have to read this book to find out what happens. Happy reading!!!

Reviewed by Wade 7th Grade

Rex Zero, the Great Pretender by Tim Wynne-Jones

Rex Zero, the Great Pretender
Tim Wynne-Jones
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
2010

Do you want to read a book that has a lot of mysteries and keeps you guessing what will happen next? That is what happens when you read “Rex (the great pretender)" in which the main character is Rex. He is the youngest of his sister and two brothers. A lot of things happen in this book but the main one is that Rex moves and he wants to go to the same school so every morning he rode his bike to his old school. Then he had to collect money so he could ride the bus because his mom got suspicious. I like how the author wrote the book because it is in first person and that makes it so you can see and hear what the character is seeing and hearing ,and it gives you a since of the place it’s set. I also like it because you can see what is happening though the whole story. I would recommend this book for kids all ages because it is a good book because it has a lot of ups and downs. I compare this book to me because I had to move and I did not want to.

Reviewed by Issac 7th Grade

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

Where the Heart Is
Billie Letts
Warner Books
1995

For some people the number seven is lucky but for Novalee Nation, seven is her worse nightmare. When Novalee and her boyfriend Willy Jack are on their way to begin a new life in California, Novalee falls asleep and her flip flop falls through the missing a floor board of the car.  She goes into Wal-Mart to buy new shoes and she knows that something is going to happen when she got $ 7.77 for change.  Willy Jack leaves her at the Wal-Mart, and her “adventure” begins.  Letts, the author, makes two hillbillies fall in love after Benny, a local guy, helps Novalee have her baby in the store. Novalee finds out what love is and how nice and caring people are in a small community and how they all respect each other.  I recommend this book to anyone who likes romance and comedy in one book, also for ages 12 and up.

Reviewed by Alex 7th Grade

Slob by Ellen Potter

Slob
Ellen Potter
Philomel Books
2009

A boy named Owen Birnbaum trying to have a good school year, but can’t because there is a bully named Mason.  Later on in the year Owen’s parents get shot, so now they are living with a close friend for right now.  What I like about this book is that you can feel the characters emotions also the author, Potter, makes you feel like you are part of it.  “Even if you see the person who did it, even if the police can find him and catch him in jail, it won’t change things.”  My opinion of the book it is a good book that makes you wonder what is going to happen next.  I highly recommend this for 13 years and up because you can make a connection from a long time ago.

Reviewed by Shoni 7th Grade

Tell Us We’re Home by Marina Budhos

Tell Us We're Home
Marina Budhos
Anthem Books for Young Readers
2010

Tell Us We’re Home is an exciting and decent reading book. It’s about a girl named Jaya and her mother Mrs. Lal. Jaya wants to go to a dance but they don’t have much money to spend. So Jaya begs to get a new dress. Often Jaya hangs out with the boys. Mrs. Lal is a nanny. Jaya is a helpful, generous young girl. She goes through a lot of struggles like having to help her mother clean wealthy peoples’ houses and she gets made fun of. But most of all she is strong and she doesn’t let it get to her!! Mrs. Lal is a hard working mother.   I liked how Jaya and Mrs. Lal were always close but sometimes throughout the book got in arguments. Then she goes through many struggles.  I disliked how the author didn’t explain some of the parts clearly, but in general I liked this book. I recommend this book to any 7th grader that likes slow and mysterious books.

Reviewed by Sarah 7th Grade