Daughters of the Sea: May by Kathryn Lasky

Daugthers of the Sea:  May
Kathryn Lasky
Scholastic Press 2011

I just finished reading May the second book in the series Daughters of the Sea. I would recommend this book to anyone. The book starts of slow but ends up really good. Kathryn Lansky did an excellent job when it came to May. I love how the romance was developed along with the character. This was just as I would believe would happen to a real person if mermaids were real.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what Kathryn Lansky has up her sleeve next.  This book was a nine out of ten because it starts of slow but ends up being a great read in the end.

Review by Kaysee 8th 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

The Girl Who Became A Beetle by Greg Taylor

The Girl Who Became a Beetle
Greg Taylor

 

After reading “The Girl Who Became a Beetle” I did not want the book to end. In the story Regina Bloomsberry makes a wish that changes her life forever. Regina Is about to go on the ride of her life. Greg Taylor has out done himself in this book. Ten out of ten for the wonderful book full of twist turns to the last chapter of the book. This is easily one of the best books I have read. I can’t wait to see what Greg Taylor has for us next. Regina never thought that the words “I wish I was as famous as the Beatles.” would change her life. Now she is dating the number one teen heart throb in America. Will she be able to become her old self or will she be a Beatle for ever?


Review by Kaysee 8th Grade

Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace 1
Alexander Gordon Smith

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace 1 by Alexander Gordon Smith is a book about a teen age boy named Alex who is falsely accused of murdering his best friend. He is “proven” guilty in a court of law and sentenced to life in Furnace Penitentiary. Furnace Penitentiary is a prison for adolescent criminals. It is located miles underground in a deep crevice found by scientists. In Furnace Penitentiary you work for half the day, eat worse than pigs, and get taken from your cells at night by scary men wearing gasmasks. Alex hates being here and tries to escape. The whole book is about Alex and his friend’s quest to escape. I would give this book 11 out of 10. This book is a great thriller and will keep you on the edge of your seat.       

Review by Anna 7th Grade

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember
Jeanne DuPrau

The first book of the series this is the book for you! This book is filled with adventures, mystery, and action. Doon Harrow and Lena Mayfleet live in an underground city called the City Of Ember and they have to save the citizens of Ember from terrible black outs that are getting worse every day. One day Lena finds a box and in this box is what’s left of some paper with what looks like on it.  By this time the black outs are getting worse and the City of Ember is the only light in a dark world. So with the help of Doon Harrow, Lena can save everyone from dwindling supplies, black outs and a traitor, and all this is happening because of a mysterious box with 0-0-0 on the front.

10 out of 10 – full of action and mystery.

Review by Michael 8th Grade

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
James Patterson


Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment is about a family of super human kids that have to save the world with their powers from the evil scientists who made them. They come with many powers like raptor vision and the ability to fly. They escaped from the lab the scientists call the “school”, but one of the kids named Angel is kidnapped by these things called Erasers (half man half dog beings) and Angel is brought back to the school and it is up to Max and her gang of flying kids to save Angel, find their parents and save the world with action all along the way. I would give this book 10 out of 10 for action, mystery, and super human powers. Book 1 of the Maximum Ride series.

Review by Michael, 8th Grade

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Fablehaven

Brandon Mull

Kendra and Seth Sorenson are two middle school age kids who really don’t want to visit their old fashioned no-TV, you break it you buy it Grandfather in Connecticut. When they arrive, they begin to learn secrets about the old place, such as items hidden in the loft, an old abandoned lake, and the whereabouts of their grandmother who is supposedly off visiting relatives. Magical creatures may soon be unveiled…

            Mull really pulls the reader in with his expert writing skills, with something you don’t expect. His magnificent use of description and dialogue make you feel right with Kendra and Seth as it switches points of view from the two kids.

            The book gets a 10 out of 10 rating. It is the first of a five book series, all of which have come out.

Review by Brigham, 7th Grade