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.

Grade Two

Horrible Harry in Room 2B
Review made by Mrs. Arias’s class

This book is about Horrible Harry who is really horrible, sometimes! Harry gives a triple revenge to Sydney, his arch enemy. Harry picks up every crayon stub in the class and puts them in his cigar box. But, what are they for? He might make something out of them and say that they are the scariest things in the world, but are they?
Doug, Harry’s best friend, narrates the story and Song Lee, who is very shy, is Harry’s friend.

We recommend this book for people who like horrible things and mischief.

Grade Three

Grade Five

Miss O'Bryan's Class~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Jackie’s Wild Seattle
By Will Hobbs

The book Jackie’s Wild Seattle was about a girl named Jackie and her uncle saving animals in danger. The author’s purpose was to talk about animals in the wild. One part I liked was when they saved a cute seal and put it in Jackie’s backpack. I think this book is great for 4th, 5th, or even 6th grade because it is not too challenging. So, if you like animals in the wild, Jackie’s Wild Seattle is for you.

By Christine 5th Grade

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Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
By Erica 5th Grade

This book is mainly about the Tuck family. The family drinks from a magical water spring. The Tuck family tries to live as inconspicuously as they can. Then a ten year old girl, Winnie Foster, stumbles onto their secret. The Tucks tell Winnie that if you drink from the spring you will remain the same age for the rest of your life. I liked this book because it was exciting and suspenseful.

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The Witches
By Roald Dahl

The Witches is about a boy named Luke who’s parents were killed in a car accident and he must go to live with his grandmother. One day his grandma gets sick and is forced to move to a nice little hotel and take Luke with her. Unfortunately, while they‘re there a witches convention is taking place. Amazingly, Luke ends up in the middle of the convention and is caught by the witches.

This is one of my favorite books by Roald Dahl because it is really funny, exciting, and has a lot of suspense. Check this book out at your local library to find out what happens next in The Witches.

This book review is by Sarah a 5th grade student

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A Dog Called KittyBy Bill Wallace

A Dog Called Kitty is mainly about Kitty who is a dog trying to make friends with Ricky a young boy. When Ricky was little he was bitten by a dog and ever since then, he has always been afraid of them. Ricky must put away his fears or the little dog may die. My opinion of this book was that it was great because it was funny at some parts and sad too.

Review by: Kaela

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Bud Not Buddy
By Christopher Paul Curtis

Bud Not Buddy is an amazing book about a boy named Bud, not Buddy, just Bud. Bud leaves an orphanage to find his supposed father who Bud has seen on the cover of a magazine. He makes new friends and gets into a lot of trouble along the way. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for adventure!


Review by: Tyler

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Escaping The Giant Wave

By Peg Kehret

This adventurous story is about a boy named Kyle and his sister named Beebee who end up risking their lives on vacation. When Kyle is babysitting Beebee, a fire and an earthquake occur. While Kyle and Beebee fight through the fire and flame, Kyle remembers a sign on the beach that said, “After an earthquake a Tsunami might hit, so go inland and uphill.” On their way heading uphill they meet an elderly couple and become friends with them.

I liked this book a lot because it is filled with action and suspense. Check out Escaping the Giant Wave to find out if Kyle and Beebee survive the tsunami terror!

Review by: Rachel

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Escaping the Giant Wave By Peg Kehret

Escaping the Giant wave is about a boy named Kyle and his sister BeeBee who go on a vacation and are surprised to find a sign warning about tsunamis. Then things take a turn for the worse and they must escape the giant wave.

I think this is a great adventure story and a pretty easy read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with a taste for action or suspense.

Review by: Tyler

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Ruby Holler

By Sharon Creech
Review by Erica

This is a fascinating book about, Florida and Dallas, two young kids that tried to escape from an orphanage. The young orphans are sent to many evil families over the years, until finally Mrs. Trepid, the owner of the orphanage, sends them to the fascinating Ruby Holler. At first Dallas and Florida planned to escape from Ruby Holler, but they realize they miss Ruby Holler and the delicious food their foster parents made.

This story both is exciting and suspenseful. In my opinion, this book had many exciting elements for example when Dallas and Florida left Ruby Holler. I would recommend this book for both 4th and 5th graders.

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The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy 2

by Willian Boniface

This book is about a kid named Ordinary Boy who lives in the town of Superopolis. Ordinary boy’s problem is that everybody in Superopolis has superpowers…except for him. Ordinary Boy also discovers that his favorite superhero was just an actor and is actually a really mean guy. Will Ordinary Boy save Superopolis again? Will he find Meteor Boy? Can he make enough money from the bake sale? Find all that out by reading this action packed and humorous New York Times Bestseller.

Review by Klint

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The Five Ancestors
The Crane
By Jeff Stone

This book is about a girl named Hok that uses crane style martial arts for protection. Hok’s brothers do animal style martial arts for protection also. However, in this story her brothers don’t know she is a girl because someone cut her hair to make her look like a boy. Later in this story her brother, the young dragon, has disappeared and her other brother, the monkey, has been captured. So it is up to her and her two brothers, the tiger and the snake, to find them.

This book is has action and adventure and that made it fun to read. I would recommend this book for people that are into challenging chapter books.


This book review is by: Michael

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The Witches
By Roald Dahl

The Witches is about a boy named Luke who’s parents were killed in a car accident and he must go to live with his grandmother. One day his grandma gets sick and is forced to move to a nice little hotel and take Luke with her. Unfortunately, while they‘re there, a witches convention is taking place. Amazingly, Luke ends up in the middle of the convention and is caught by the witches.

This is one of my favorite books by Roald Dahl because it is really funny, exciting, and has a lot of suspense. Check this book out at your local library to find out what happens next in The Witches.

This book review is by Sarah.

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White Star: A Dog on the Titanic

White Star: A Dog on the Titanic is about a boy who is on the Titanic. He is sent to go live with his mother, who lives in America. On his way to America he found a little room on the ship that is full of dogs. Unfortunately, he falls in love with a dog named White Star. As the trip goes on, the boy grows more and more in love with dog. Then one night the ship is hit by an iceberg and every one panics. As the night goes on, the ship sinks more and more. When the time comes for the boy to get on the life boat he forgets about the dog. At the last minute the boy runs to get the dog and misses his boat and is stranded on the sinking boat.

This is a great book and it is very suspenseful. If you want to know what happens next you should pick it up at your local library.

By Sarah a 5th grade student

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Ida B
By Katherine Hannnigan

This book is mainly about a girl that has some trouble. Including when her mother was diagnosed with cancer and when her mom and dad forced her to go back to school. Ida B was home schooled and she hated to go to public elementary schools. She lived on an apple orchard and in her mind the apple trees would talk to her. She would also talk to the brook. Everything changed when she was forced to go to public school. Her dad had to cut down the apple orchard and she wouldn’t talk to anyone.

This story is suspenseful and exciting. I would recommend this book for 5th and 4th graders.

By Erica

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about a kid named Greg who has troubles in middle school. He encounters all different types of problems, from having a fight with his best friend Rowley, to his big brother Rodrick messing with him all the time. Will Greg survive Middle School? Can Greg get his friendship back? Read this laugh out loud New York Times Bestseller to find out more about the exciting life of Greg.

by, Klint

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Bud, Not Buddy
By: Christopher Paul Curtis

Bud, Not Buddy is a great book. It is about a boy named Bud. His mama died when he was 6 years old. He lives in Flint, Michigan. He is trying to reach, Herman E. Callaway, who he thinks is his father.

If I could give this book a 1-5 rating, I would give it a 5 because it has great elaboration and has an interesting story line. I hope you love the story!!!!!!!!

By Christine