Grade Four

Title of the book: Drama Queen
Author: Lara Bergen

by Gabriella

The main idea of the book is how a girl named Charlie and her best friend Nicole audition for the musical “Robinhood.” They both got different parts in the show. Before the show started, the person who played the part of Maid Marian was a girl named Amber. Amber got a sore throat so she couldn’t perform in the show. So Charlie got the lead part of Maid Marian.
The author’s purpose is that if you show off and be mean like Amber in this book, then you might get bad luck and end up losing your voice and losing your part.
One of the most interesting parts was when it’s opening night and Charlie performs Amber’s part. I think this because Charlie had a really good voice and ended up with the part she deserved, the part of Maid Marian.
In my opinion, the book is great and a really good book to read. I say this because the book made me want to find out what happens in the next chapter. I also liked this book because it was about two friends that are in a plays and I enjoy watching plays.

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Charlotte’s Web
By James

My book report is about Charlotte’s Web which was written by E.B. White. The main idea of this book is that, a girl named Fern did not want her Papa to kill a helpless little pig. So Fern takes care of the little pink pig. Then the pig, who Fern named Wilbur, went to live at the Zuckerman’s. Then in the barn Wilbur meets a strange friend named Charlotte (a spider). Charlotte helps keep Wilbur alive by writing exciting words about him in her web, which amazes Mr. Zuckerman and all his friends.
The author wanted us to know the true meaning of friendship, and even at the most heartbreaking times (like when Charlotte dies and all except three of her babies go away from the farm) we just have to move on. Even if you’re not exactly alike, you can still be friends and help each other.
One of my favorite parts in this book was when Charlotte and Wilbur first met. I liked this part because I thought that Charlotte and Wilbur would make great friends.
In my opinion the book Charlotte’s Web is my second most favorite book ever. I like all the details and the interesting stories and characters.

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Book Review by Tommy

Title: Into The Mist
By: Patrick Carman

This book is about two boys named Thomas and Roland Warvold. They were raised in a orphanage by a very mean lady named Madame Vickers. Her son Finch and her dogs Max & the Mooch were also very mean.

I think the author’s purpose was to teach us that if you are unhappy you don’t have to stay where you are. The brothers made a plan and got away from their unhappiness.
The problem was that Thomas & Roland wanted to escape the orphanage and find out why they were there in the first place. They tried to escape because they found a saddle that Madame Vickers wanted. When they escaped they had to go through a iron trap door that a giant named Gaul told them to go through. Gaul also told them to look for a light and they found it. The light lead to Madame Vickers’ kitchen. Thomas whispered, “ What is she doing?” and Madame Vickers heard them and sent the mountain lion and Max & the Mooch after them. Thomas & Roland ran back to the iron door and lost the mountain lion and Max and the Mooch.

A very important part of the story is when they met this man named Sir Allistar Wakefield who told them the story of how their parents were killed. This is why they were sent to live with Madame Vickers.

One of the most interesting parts is when they went underground. It was very descriptive and seemed very scary.

In my opinion the book is interesting and exciting. I say this because when they found the book that described how their parents died it was very exciting. Many parts of the book were exciting because they were very descriptive.

I would recommend this book to other fourth graders because I think they would like it. They would like the excitement of the boys trying to escape. They would also like the good descriptions of the scary people, animals and places.

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Title: Escaping the Giant Wave
Author: Peg Kehret
Review by Brock

The main idea of the book is when a family goes on business trip to Oregon. While there, the Mom and Dad take a night cruise and leave Kyle and Beebee at the hotel. That night an earthquake hits. Kyle and Beebee not only have to survive the burning hotel but they also discover that a tsunami is approaching. Will Kyle and Beebee reunite with their parents again?

The author’s purpose was to show you that even as young kids it is important to be brave during the hardest times in your life.

One of the most interesting parts is when Kyle and Beebee are standing behind a tree trying to avoid the last and biggest tsunami wave.

In my opinion, the book is very exciting and suspenseful.
I say this because I wasn’t sure the kids would survive the earthquake and tsunami all in one night.

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Saving Shiloh

Written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Review by Mikayla

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor wrote this book to try to show kids if they don’t know someone, they shouldn’t dislike them, because they could actually be really nice.

Shiloh was Judd’s best hunting dog, but Judd was abusive to him, so Shiloh ran away and Marty took care of him and now Marty is trying to keep Shiloh away from Judd.

It was very interesting when Marty and Judd were putting up a gate and Judd accidentally stepped on his black and white dog’s paw and the dog bit Judd’s leg and wouldn’t let go.

This book is exciting, because Marty’s little sister, Dara Lynn, fell into a violent stream and they didn’t know how to get her out. The action at this part of the book keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is filled with suspense, because you’re always wondering if Dara Lynn is going to be rescued.

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I read the book titled The Counterfeit Tackle.
The author is Matt Christopher.
Review by Kelly

The main idea of the book was about two identical twins. One of them liked chess and basketball. And the other one liked football and basketball. One day Corky wanted to go to a professional football game but he had a game on the same day. His brother Buzz took his place in his school game. After the game Goose Marsh invited Buzz over to his house because his mom made raisin cookies that really Corky loved. Buzz hated them. During the game Buzz said to his friend Dougie, “Hi Dougie coming over tonight to play chess?” He forgot who he was supposed to be. The boys were afraid they would get caught. The mom knew what they did and then after the games they told their dad. They decided to tell the coach they switched places. The coach laughed and asked Buzz to play in the next game because Corky sprained his ankle.

The author wanted everyone to know that if you don’t tell the truth its very scary and everyone is nervous. I think the most interesting part of the story was when Corky and Buzz were going to trade places for the game. Corky didn’t want to go to the professional game but Buzz offered to play in his place.

In my opinion the book was exciting because they were making suspense for Buzz and Corky while they were trading places and wondering if they were going to get caught. I say this because we had to wait a long time before they told the coach and everyone was nervous.

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Hank Zipzer and Get Me Out of Fourth Grade

Review by Esteban

My book reviews is about the book hank Zipzer and get me out fourth grade. This is a book about a boy named hank zipzer who discovers he has learning challenges and he has a hard time doing in school work. This book he figures out he has D’s on his report card and he thinks he will have to repeat forth grade but at the end he is told the truth. You’ll have to get the book to find out what happens next!

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James and the Giant Peach
By Roald Dahl

Review by Yasmeen

James and the Giant Peach is about a boy named James Henry Trotter who flies the Giant peach across the Atlantic Ocean to New York with a group of insects.
I think the authors purpose is to teach kids that just because you’re young doesn’t mean you can’t do things.
One interesting thing in the book was when James and the insects could see the cloud men {they make the weather}taking bits of clouds and making them into hailstones then they would hurdle them to Earth .
In my opinion I would give this book a four star rating.
I say this because I think the book needs more description and action.

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Tiger at Twilight
Mary Pope Osborn
Review by Samuel D

The main idea is Annie and Jack were in a Magic Tree House and wished to go

into the wild with a book.
The author’s purpose is to show that magic can happen if you believe.
The most interesting part is when they were on the vines and the tiger jumped

and almost got Jack’s leg.
My opinion is the book is very wonderful and interesting. I say this because I

like the way the story is magical and the way the kids are having nice adventures

in the story and seeing the kids talking to a blind man.

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“By the Shores of Silver Lake”
By Laura Ingalls Wilder

Review by Katie

This story is from the point of view of Laura Ingalls; a somewhere-around-twelve year old, who, instead of liking nice, quiet activities like sewing, loves to run around outside.
It’s the mid-1800’s, and Laura and her sisters Mary, Carrie, and Grace and Ma and Pa just moved from Plum Creek. Pa is looking for a homestead for them to live on.
This story makes you want to keep reading because the descriptions make you feel like you are right there, smack in the middle of the action. Another great thing about it is that all of it seems so real—and it is!
Whether one child goes blind or a child is missing, the Ingalls family always makes it through these difficulties together!
I think this was a fantastic book! I would suggest it to other adventurous readers.

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The Tale of Desperaux
Kate DiCamollo

Review by Mina

In The Tale of Desperaux is about a weird mouse who is different from most and has big ears and he was very small. The family thought he would die soon but no he did not. Desperaux loves music and stories and a princess named Pea. His enemy is Roscuro. He is a rat. He lived in a dark shadow place covered with outrageous ugly things. In the story Roscuro dies when desperaux pokes him with a needle. The reason Desperaux did so was he knew that a serving girl, Miggery sow, she had a wish that was impossible. Next they find themselves going to a dark dungeon where Roscuro lives and when they pass it they come to a castle where princess Pea lives. So Desperaux had killed Roscuro to get princess Pea.

In my opinion The Tale of Desperaux would be exciting, fun and adventurous book to read. I like this story for those reasons.