47
by Walter Mosley

The book "47" is a good book. It tells about all the horrors of slavery. 47 is a slave boy who lives on the Corinthian plantation in Georgia. 47 gets special powers from his friend Tall John. He has to fight Wall (devil) with his powers.He then runs away with his friends to Canada where they can be free. On a scale from 1 to 10 I would rate this book a 7. If you enjoy history, this is the book for you.
Alivia

Amazing Grace (advance reading copy)
by Megan Shull
This book gets you hooked on the first page and is about how a famous teenage tennis star decides that she doesn’t want to be famous anymore. She changes her identity and moves to Alaska with a friend of her mothers. The setting is well described and so are each of characters. By the end of the book you feel you know the characters in real life. It has a great plot that keeps you tuning pages. The characters are easy to relate to because they deal with things that almost all kids go through, like crushes and peer pressure. Overall this was a really good book.
Megan



Among the Enemy
By Margaret Haddix

I recommend this book for a Newbery. It tells about the previous books in an understandable way. The setting, plot and characters are all well written and the theme makes you want to keep reading. The book is probably for slightly older readers because of some gory scenes. I loved the book.
Malcolm

Please describe the most memorable part of your book:My favorite part of the book is when Matthhias sees his friends. I found this to be a great wel written book. I would definately reccomend it for a Newbery. It is a book more geared for an older reader who enjoys suspense. There is alot of guns and violence. The story is about children who are escaping men who are trying to eliminate all third children, in order to spare the food supply. The main character is avoiding the Population Police but finds himself in their midst as a hero. The character is torn between two worlds. I couldn't put the book down!!
Cindy

ANNOTATION
In a society that allows families to have only two children, third child Matthias joins the Population Police to infiltrate their system.



The Book without Words
by Avi

This book is about an 11 year old orphan girl named Sybil. She is taken off the streets by a mysterious old man who is now to be her master. But when he suddenly dies 2 months later, Sybil and the master talking raven have to discover why he died and what his last request meant "Find someone with green eyes." I liked this book. It took place a long time ago, in medieval times. All the main characters were orphans, so it was really odd.
Brittany

I don’t think this book is a Newbery, but it might be an honor book. This book was about a girl named Sybil, Odo, a raven that talks, and a young poor boy named Alfric. They try to stop Thorston, an evil alchemist, from using a book without words to achieve immortality. The book can only be read by a green-eyed person, like Thorston; who also has a great desire to see what is inside. He had stolen it from another boy when he was thirteen. This boy didn’t even own the book; he was taking care of it for someone and protecting its secrets from evil.

I would recommend it to ages 8-13, but you might need a dictionary.

Plot

The plot was very suspenseful. I read the book very fast considering it was almost a 300 page book.

Characterization

The main characters were described in great detail. The secondary were described well too.

Point of View

The point of view is 3rd person.

Setting

The description of the setting is exceptional. It takes place in Northumbria in medieval England. I could envision everything, especially the church and the graveyard.

Style

This story is a fable. The author uses many historical references. He uses exceptional language in this story that allows you to envision everything in great detail.

Theme

The theme is good against evil but, it’s told in a very suspenseful story.
David

The Book Without Words was very interesting. The characters were so very real you would have thought they were written up by different people. The format was very organized. The presentation of information was direct and complete.
Tyler



The Black Canary
by Jane Louise Curry
This is a story about almost 13 year old biracial James, whose parents are both musicians. They visit London and James finds a portal that leads to the year 1600. His experience traveling in time helps him to understand who he is and how it fits into his life in the present.

I would recommend this book to 10-13 year old boys and girls. Although the main character is a boy, it is not just a boy’s story. The experiences and problems James encounters are those of most pre-teens. This book is also appropriate for a somewhat younger reader.

Plot-There is a lot going on in this book! James is questioning his feelings, about who he is, his parents, their careers, his biracialism. Then add time travel and historical fiction. The author to her credit anages to tie all this together in a well written, interesting, unique story. One criticism of the book is that the pace is inconsistent; it moves quickly and then will slow to the point of almost dragging. Stick with it, it’s worth finishing.

Characterization- Very well done. James is real teen with real problems readers can relate to. I liked him and enjoyed traveling with him and listening to his thoughts. All supporting characters in both centuries were depicted clearly. Unlike James, I think readers will think his parents are very cool.

Point of view- First person done very believably, you really feel you Are traveling with James and understand his feelings.

Setting- Well depicted in both centuries. I could envision Elizabethan London easily. The author also contrasts the past and present effectively, making the time travel element more successful.

Style- The language used to describe the settings, characters and their actions is rich and varied. I was struck with in the first few pages how Ms, Curry consistently chooses just the right words to allow the reader to envision or feel what is happening.

Theme- Who am I and how do I fit in explored in a very original

Ellen



Crooked River
By Shelley Pearsall

The theme was the conflict between Indians and settlers on frontier as played out in the trial of a falsely accused Indian. I thought the author did an excellent job weaving histgorical facts with a compelling story. The plot was believable and gripping, characterization was terrific (Oh, I hated Pa!) and I felt very strongly for Ami, and Rebecca, especially I thought she [the author] did a good job of not making the hanging and the murder discussion at the trial too gruesome, but getting the point across. Great details. Perhaps a bit more emphasis could have been placed on establishing the setting, but not a major complaint. Overall, I thought it was fantastic.
Sarah

The book is mainly about a captured Indian who is being unfairly charged a crime he didn't commit. It is staged in the 1800's and Native Americans are known as savages. The Indian is held in a man's house who has two sons and two daughters. As they hold the Indian one of the daughters becomes friends with the Native American. She becomes so deeply intriuged by him that she works to stop his execution. This book was thrilling and unique.  It's plot was entrancing and the setting made me feel as though I was at the trial and the house and the farm. The characterization caused me to feel like I knew the characters and felt their joy and sorrow as they did. For these reasons I think that it would fit the standards for a Newbery award.
Malcolm



Deliver Us From Normal
By Kate Klise

This was a very good 1st novel, but I think it doesn’t deserve the Newbery medal. It wasn’t as good as other Newbery books I’ve read. What makes this book worth reading is the author's characterisation of Charles   Harrisong, the narrorator, a 11-year old boy who is everything but normal (as heputs it). The author is very good at this style of narration, because when you read it you feel like you’re in Charles’ head listening to his thoughts and emotions. I would only recommend this book to middle schoolers, because the main character and his sister are 6th and 7th graders and the book deals with issues middle school kids might face.
David

This is a coming of age story about a sixth grade boy who is trying to come to terms with what “normal” really means for himself, as well as his family. He is struggling to learn how to fit in… The author did an excellent job of portraying a very realistic mind of a troubled eleven year old boy. He was not popular, unhappy, self-conscious, awkward and anxious at the start of the story and by the end he had resolved many of his real or imagined issues….A reader who is more confident will learn normal is a relative term and hopefully be more tolerant and empathetic to people who are different
Ellen

Good writing, boring plot. The book is about an average kid’s life. I got sick of it after the ninth chapter and I gave up on it. Nothing really happened, so I can’t give you a good description.
Bridget



A Dog's Life (ARC-advance reading copy)
by Ann M. Martin

This book is about a stray dog named Squirrel who in the end of the book finds a home. She has a brother named Bone. Their mother leaves them when they are very young. Then they begin to wander. I’m not really sure if this should be a Newbery winner or not. I would Recommend that other people read this book. It would be good for grades 4-7.

Plot

The plot was well thought out and had a good pace. After Squirrel is orphaned, she travels around until she finally finds a home. The story builds until a major turning point, Squirrel’s life starts to improve. The book continues with 2 more significant events until the conclusion.

Characterization

The characterization was excellent. I could envision Squirrel very well and All the secondary characters too. They were well developed and believable.

Setting

The towns and locations are described very clearly, but you don’t know what State and country the town is located in. I didn’t know if the settings were Imaginary or real. This was the one thing that I didn’t like about the book.

Point of View
The point of view is creative and unique because the dog Squirrel is the narrator. This is what I like best about the book.

Style
The style is realistic fiction, except that the dog, the main character, is telling the story.
David

The concept was ok and organization great. The plot was amazing and the characters teriffic. The setting was good and the style was excellent. I sensed a strong emotion. I think A Dog's Life deserves an award!

Ainsley

Annotation from the publisher:
Squirrel and her brother Bone begin their lives in a toolshed behind someone's summer house. Their mother nurtures them and teaches them the many skills they will need to survive as stray dogs. But when their mother is taken from them suddenly and too soon, the puppies are forced to make their own way in the world.



Each Little Bird that Sings
by Deborah Wiles

textarea: Comfort Snowberger is a ten year old girl and her famiy owns the town funeral home. When her uncle Edisto dies from a stroke her life goes crazy. After her family finaly gets over Uncle Edisto, Comfort's great-aunt Florentine just drops dead in the garden. Now all Comfort wants to do is be in her closet with her dog Dismay, then things get even worse when her best friend Declaration turns downwrite mean. The end of the story makes Comfort's life much better. There are happy parts too.This book was worth the read, I recomend it.
Lilah

I found the book to be extremely depressing. When I read a book I like to read for enjoyment, although I did like the main caracter "Comfort" very much. I did enjoy her personality and her outlook on life. It was very difficult to see her always getting the short end of the stick. It would have been nice to see something go her way. I would not recommend this book for a Newbery nor would I recommend it for anyone else to read. It made me cry more than laugh. If the author would have changed the ending slightly I would have found it to be a more enjoyable book.
Cindy



Eyes of the Emperor
by Graham Salisbury

Very interesting, a real attention-grabber.
Sean

annotation from the publisher:
Eddy Okubo lies about his age and joins the army in his hometown of Honolulu only weeks before the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. Suddenly Americans see him as the enemy—even the U.S. Army doubts the loyalty of Japanese American soldiers. Then the army sends Eddy and a small band of Japanese American soldiers on a secret mission to a small island off the coast of Mississippi. Here they are given a special job, one that only they can do. Eddy's going to help train attack dogs. He's going to be the bait.



Getting the Boot
by Peggy Guthart Strauss
This book is in the Students Across the Seven Seas (S.A.S.S.)series, but you don't have to read them in any particular order. I liked this book a lot. It was about a girl, Kelly, who traveled across the world to Rome in the summer for beginner college classes, even though she was 17. She only wanted to go to Rome though, so she could meet boys and go shopping. This book is for girls ages 12 and up, definately!
Brittany

Gnat Stokes and the Foggy Bottom Swamp Queen
By Sally M. Keehn

Gnat Stokes and the Foggy Bottom Swamp Queen is the story of a young girl with a mysterious past living in the Appalachian Mountains. Gnat discovers secrets about where she came from as she hunts for a missing boy, rumored to have been stolen away by the Foggy Bottom Swamp Queen. The book has the feeling of something between a tall tale and a fairy tale. The characters are enjoyable and quirky, and the author’s use of dialect makes the story even more fun and realistic. I listen to Appalachian folk music, and reading this book I found that it had the same feeling as the music does—joyful, mournful, and even a bit silly all at once. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy or fairy tales, or anyone who is looking for a good, fun, engaging story.
Darla

This was an excellent book. It was a book of adventure and fantasy. It showed you what true love really was and showed you true friendship too. But an evil swamp queen named Zelda tries to ruin it all and wants to sacrifice a boy and not take his heart and not be mortal.
Anna



Good Brother Bad Brother: the Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth
by James Cross Giblin

Transitions slightly choppy. Excellent knowledge of subject. Style appropriate for subject. Plot has some small holes. Overall very good. A very enjoyable read, a freference book written as a novel.
Sean

Harry Sue
by Sue Stauffacher

Harry Sue is a book about a girl who is trying to get arrested. Her father is in jail for dropping her out of a seven story window. Her mother is in jail for selling drugs. She wants to find her mother because her grandmother, who she was sent to live with abuses her along with the day-care children. This book gets boring sometimes so I wouldn’t nominate it for the Newbery Award.
Brittany

I did not finish reading Harry Sue. I thought the idea of a girl who wants to go to prison to be with her mother was clever and unusual, but certain aspects of the book felt forces. Harry Sue’s use of prison slang was one: it seemed out of place and clumsy. It was also overused; had Stauffacher not put it in so frequently, I think it would have been much more effective. Aside from this, I thought the plot line was a bit jumpy treated Harry Sue’s mother’s little drug-dealership also bothered me. While the mother was punished and sent to prison, the reader is made
to feel bad for her, like she didn’t deserve it. Of course this may change later in the book; nevertheless, I don’t think this is a good message to send. I do not thing this book has a chance at the Newbery Award and do not recommend that everyone read it.
Darla



Heron Cove
by Ruth Wallace-Brodeur
This was a very good book about a young girl, Sage, about 12-14 years old, who is sent to live with her great aunts Bea and Addie for the summer. Although she loves them, she thinks her mother is just trying to get rid of her, just like she did to her father, who never knew about Sage, then died. I liked this book a lot and think it actually could win a Newbery if everybody else reads it.
Brittany

Hitler Youth
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Susan Campbell Bartoletti's "Hitler Youth" is an amazing (not to mention terrifying) book. Before reading this book, I never fully understood how Hitler had gained so much control over Germany, especially with his radical ideas.

She shows the reader how Hitler caught the interest of children and young adults with his promises of reform, and then used the children's influence on their parents and society to gain more support. I found this book to be very
informative and compelling. Not only does Bartoletti give an in-depth look at the Hitler Youth, she also discusses many other major aspects of World War II Europe such as the Holocaust and the actual battles. This book may not be appropriate for younger readers due to disturbing content matter such as the Holocaust and details involving the punishments of some of the children working against Hitler.
Darla



I, Dred Scott: a Fictional Slave Narrative Based on the Life and Legal Precedent of Dred Scott
by Shelia P. Moses

Dialect usage commendable. Holds attention excellently. Plot development very good.
Sean




Ice Drift
by Theodore Taylor

This book takes place in 1868 and is about two Inuit brothers named Alika (14) and Sulu (9) who are hunting for seals on a ice floe attached to their island in the Artic. When the ice floe breaks loose the boys start a six month long journey down the Greenland Strait.
I think this book should definably be a Newbery winner. It was a great book.
Plot
The plot was very well thought out and was excellent. It was very suspenseful,
exciting and kind of scary too all the way to the conclusion.

Characterization
The characterization was excellent. I really felt like I knew the brothers And understood their relationship.

Point – of – View
Third Person

Setting
The setting’s description was very good. I could really envision the Artic Circle. I felt like I was on the ice floe with the brothers.

Style
This adventure story is based on a true story, with historical references.
The author uses Inuit language (glossary included). Each chapter starts with an interesting fact that relates to the story. All of these are exceptionally well done.

Theme
The theme is never give up and how important your family is.
David

I read Ice Drift. It is a good book. I think it should get the Newbery Award because the plot was very good. I also liked the characters. This book is about two boys in the arctic that get stranded on floating ice. One thing I didn't like was that on the first page it shows you a map. It shows where the ice breaks off and where they get rescued. You know they will not die.
Ryan



The Lace Dowry
by Andrea Cheng

I'm not sure if this book could be a Newbery winner or not, as I haven"t read enough of the entries to possibly make a judgement. What I do know is this is a beautifully written book by an award winning author and well worth reading.

Although the main character, Juli is 12, this book would be appropriate for 10 through 14 year old girls (sorry boys, it is definitely a girl's book!)

It takes place in Hungary in the 1930's and is about a modern young
girl's relationship with her traditionally minded mother and how through a shared experience, the lace dowry, they learn to understand and appreciate each other more. It is also about how friendship can transend barriers.

On a lighter note, for readers who like animals, there is a cat who is
somewhat important to the plot!

Ellen



The Last Universe
by William Sleator

This book is one of the best books I've ever read. It explains the basics of quantum physics while telling a very good sci fi story. It is about a girl named Susan and her sick brother Gary. They find a lost hedge maze in their gigantic garden and find that it can take them to other universes, better or worse. Great for sci fi lovers and science fans
Eli



The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan

"The Lightning Thief" is about a boy named Percy who has difficulty in school and trouble fitting in with his peers—because he is actually a demigod, the child of a mortal and a god. And he is not alone. According to “The Lightning Thief”, gods of ancient Greece are still in the world with us today, and causing all kinds of mayhem. I loved this book. I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot; but I’ll mention that Percy discovers his true identitiy and peers, and goes on an important quest to keep peace between the gods. The world of the gods is an absolutely magical one; and this book was written by an established author who knows how to maintain a brisk pace and keep his audience entertained. The book is a little “Harry Potteresque”—misfit boy entering a magical world which is his true place, quest with one female and one male friend along; lurking menace. But the arena that these characters operate in IS also a magical and unique one, and one well worth exp! loring in an entertaining read. Bestseller? I think definitely. Newbery winner? I don’t know if it has the resonance to be considered the best of this year’s crop of children’s literature. But it sure was fun.
Lori

The Lightning Thief is a highly entertaining, unique story that puts a new spin on Greek myths. The main character, Perseus Jackson, discovers something about his past that involves him in a modern-day feud between the most powerful Greek gods and goddesses. I thought this book was VERY funny.I often found myself actually laughing out loud! However, it was a bit slow in the beginning, and I felt that a lot of Riordan's humor was unnecessarily immature (bathroom humor). The book would still have been funny, and perhaps even funnier, without it. Another point I found interesting was that, of the series books that I have read   so far (this one, Dark Hills Divide, and Sky Carver, all of which begin their series), this was the first one to leave off with a solid plot line that demands a sequal. While I don't think this book is quite good enough to merit a Newbery award, it is still a lot of fun to read. You even learn a bit about greek mythology!
Darla

This was a really great book -- better than any of the Harry Potters, which I loved. It had a great plot, great characters and great story line. I read it in 2 days in my spare time -- I couldn't put it down. I'm waiting for
thr sequel.
Harry

I thought that the Lightning Thief was very enjoyable. It was funny and it still made sense. The characters are different and interesting. I think it was exciting and full of adventure. A mix of fantasy and modern fiction. I recommend it to 4th- 6yh grade readers.
Tyler

The book The Lightning Thief was very well written. The book is about Greek myths and Gods in everyday life. The main characters are demigods, or halfbloods, children of gods and mortals. My favorite character, the main character Percy Jackson, is a demigod, and faces a host of challenges. It is filled with interesting facts about the Gods and myths. My favorite part was the climax battle. I do not think it is a Newberry, but it is very funny and exciting.
Brian

I read was "The Lightning Thief." This book is full of amazing and incredible adventures! I can't tell you how good it was! The book is about a boy named Percy Jackson. He soon finds out that he is half blood. His father is Zeus' and Hades' brother, Poseidon,God of the sea. Soon he ventures off with a satyr (half goat, half man) and Athena's daughter. He has to find Zeus'stolen lightning bolt and Hades' helm. Percius (Percy) only has ten days to retrieve them. During his ten day adventure, monsters try to kill him. Percy is brave and clever.

Will he defeat the monsters and find the lightning bolt and Hades' helm? You will have to read this book to find out!

So far, this book is one of my favorites! I rate this book a 10 on a scale of 1-10.
Rachel

I think this book is a Newbery. This book is about a boy, named Percy, who is a half blood. That means he was born from one of the Greek gods. At first he doesn’t know this but then, he discovers that he is a half blood. This book would be good for ages 9-14, boy or girl.

Plot
This story is very, very suspenseful, despite it’s length, 375 pages, I finished in 4 days.

Characterization
The characters are described extremely well. I could envision them all.

Point of View
The point of view is first person and the author does a great job on it. The story, told by Percy Jackson, has a intriguing beginning. Percy gives you a warning, a warning not to read this book if you think you are a half blood. You feel almost as if you know Percy and are along with him on his quest.

Setting
The setting is described extremely well. It is amazing how the author describes the underworld and all the other supernatural things.

Style
The style is fantasy.

Theme
The theme is you can do anything with help from your friends.
David

This book was really good. It's about a boy, Percy Jackson, who finds out he's a half-blood Olympus God. His mother was just a regular human, but his father was a god. When monsters attack him for the first time his mother drives him to camp half-blood, but is taken to the underworld on the way. Then the oracle (tells you the quests of your life) tells him he has to go on a quest to get Zeus' lightning bolts back. If he doesn't get them back in time the gods will start a war.
Brittany

Percy lives at camp Half-Blood in the summer because he is the son of the god Poseidon. He is chosen to go on a quest because his father's brother, Zeus, is missing his master bolt, and he thinks Poseiden took it. Percy needs to find it to prove that Poseiden didn't take. Percy takes two friends, Grover and Annabeth, with him. They head to Las Vegas because they have to enter the underworld so they can get Lord Hades to give them Zeus' mastor bolt. They fight lots of monsters on their way to Las Vegas. They find out that Hades has not taken the bolt, Ares, the god of war, has. Then they get out of the underworld and Percy fights Ares. Grover and Annabeth go back to camp and Percy goes to Mount Olympus and gives Zeus His mastor bolt. I think that this book should get the Newbery medal. It is very well written, exciting and interesting.
Natasha



Little Green: Growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution
By Chun Yu

The theme of this book is clear. The book was about a Chinese girl growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. I found the author’s writing style to be unclear in almost every way. Many times the scene would change without giving an explanation. I found this book confusing.
Anna

Lucky Stars
By Lucy Frank

This is a really good book. It is also sad because the kids in it struggle; Jake stutters, Kira has to sing in the subway for money and Eugene has a voice like a foghorn. It is truly a sad, sad story (I think) but it makes you think "Wow, I'm so lucky I have money" and "Thank goodness I don't stutter, how embarrising is that" It is just a really great book. On the back it says, "Kira has been waiting forever to stop singing. Jake sings only in his dreams. Eugene has a voice like a foghorn. Nobody would have ever dreamed that a duck would bring them together. Or that they'd all find the courage to join Ms. Hill's chorus where kids learn more than just music. I would recommend this book for ages 9 through 13 or 14.



MadCat (ARC-advance reading copy)
By Kathy Mackel

"Mad Cat" is a book about a girl that plays baseball with a very strange nickname, Mad Cat. Mad Cat is a new member on the team and she is with her best friend, who started her on the team. This was an okay book, but it wasn't that enjoyable. Sometimes you got kind of lost of the settings and characters. For example: Mad Cat's dad is always in a wheelchair. At one point, it is a rainy day and it says her dad's tires were stuck in the mud, so he could not get inside. I was a bit confused unitl it said that Mad Cat wheeled her dad in. I thought and thought and finally, remembered that her dad was disabled. And you always get confused of the setting. At one time, she's at the baseball, and then, she's suddenly back home, then suddenly back at the baseball field, and suddenly at her friend's house, etc. I WOULD NOT repeat WOULD NOT recomment this book. I don't think you can forget now what I say. I was quite dissapointed with it, so I hope that you don't choose this book for the medal, because it is quite boring and confusing. Thank you for hearing my rating on this strange book. I hope to read a better book soon.
Brittany



Makeovers by Marcia (ARC-advance reading copy)
By Claudia Mills

This book is really good, but also sad. It’s about a girl, Marcia who needs to do community service for her social studies class and decides to do makeovers for the people in West Creek Manor nursing home. It’s sad though because one of the characters from the nursing home has a heart attack and Marcia goes to help her instead of living her life long dreams.

Midnight Rider (not yet published-read from Advance Reading Copy)
By Joan Hiatt Harlow

This is a wonderful historical fiction. It’s very exciting, but in an understandable way. The plot was interesting and I could see the story in my head, almost as if it were a movie. I love this book! I rate it a 10/10. Recommended !
Bridget

FROM THE PUBLISHER
It's 1775 and the American colonies are on the brink of revolution. Boston is swarming with soldiers, spies, and secrets. Tempers are flaring between the Whigs and the Tories. Fourteen-year-old Hannah Andrews is thrown into the middle of it all when she is driven out of her home by her guardian aunt to work as an indentured servant in the Boston household of Thomas Gage, governor of the colonies and general of the British armies.


This book was amazing because it took you to the height of your emotions. It was one of the best books I have ever read. The theme was about a girl who must pick sides in the Revolutionary war. While reading this book I had very few questions about what was going on because this book was very well written. I believe it may
win the Newbery award.
Anna

Monkey
By Jeff Stone

Please describe the most memorable part of your book: This book was good and gripping but you definetely have to read "Tiger" first to understand it; both books have some of the same characters in it, and in "Monkey" you will find out surprising facts about them. Maybe that is why it is such a great story. I recommend this book for age 9 and up, not because of the story but because of the difficult vocabulary. The story itself is funny, sad, gripping and exciting, so I think it could win the Newbery award.
Janna

Please describe the most memorable part of your book:I think this book should win the Newbery because it is very well written. The Nobodies are people that Fern has to save. Fern is a anybody. Anybodies can do stuff with books.

They can shake out anything from a book. Now when Fern and Howard ( Fern's best friend) go to CAMP HAPPY SUNSHINE GOOD TIMES to go learn how to anybodies Fern gets a suprise...
Patricia

The Old Country
by Mordicai Gerstein

This book was very good. I think it does have a chance of winning the Newbury

Award. I always thought a lot of Newbury books are not modern stories, they're stories about the past and about how people lived back then- but some of the stories are still fictional, yet they still tell you about the past, such
as "Witch of the Blackbird Pond".

The book Old Country was about a girl named Gisella who accidentally switched body's with a fox, Flame. Flame goes and lives with Gisella's family- but they have to move. Gisella goes after them to get her body back, and meets many things on the way.

I reccomend this book to anyone who likes fiction.
Janna

The Old Country is an original, captivating fantasy/fairy tale in which a grandmother tells her granddaughter a story about how, when she was young, she was turned into a fox. The story follows the girl-fox as she tries to recover her original form. In her searches, she meets many interesting characters and animals who, of course, can talk. My favorite was her pet cat who turns out to be a trial lawyer (he took night classes). The book also features a surprise ending which makes it all the more unique. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and found myself unable to put it down from the moment I started reading it. I think this book has an extremely good chance at the Newberry medal, and suggest that everyone read it.
Darla

Out Standing in my Field
By Patrick Jennings

The theme of this book was about a boy playing baseball. He doesn’t exactly like it, but his dad is the coach of the team and wants Ty (the boy) to play. I didn’t really like it because what was happening wasn’t really clear. I don’t think the book was for me.

Katie

I read Out Standing in my Field. I liked the whole book. My favorite character is Angel because he doesn't want to throw good pitches, he just wants to scare people. This book took place in Babylon, Arizona in the hot desert. This book is mostly about a boy who traded his Derek Jeter card to his best friend not noticing how valuable it is. This book make me read about baseball players like Ty Cobb and made me want to play baseball again. The characters are likeable and I recomment this book to anyone who likes baseball. If you want to know who wins the game

Peter



Photo by Brady: a Picture of the Civil War
by Jennifer Armstrong

Does not hold attention. Somewhat boring.
Sean

Raven's Gate: Book One of the Gatekeepers (ARC-advance reading copy)
By Anthony Horowitz

Amazing plot. Unbelievable characters! Best book I've ever read. 6th grade
reading level. High School contnet. Extremely soul-chilling. Don't read if not in the sunlight. I'm dead serious. If you don't there is a high chance of sustained nightmares. If you have not seen or read anything extremely scary or are under 10, do not read this book!

I think this was a really good book. It is about a boy, Matt, whose parents died when he was 6. He went to live with his step aunt who didn't really care about him. Then after committing a crime, he has the choice to go live with an old woman who seems pretty nice, or go to a juvenile detention center. After choosing to live with the lady, Mrs. Deveril (like Devil) he finds out that the village is not safe and all the people are witches. He tries to escape, but everyone that tries to help him dies. I think that this book could get a Newbery, but it's a little weird and there will be a sequel to it. Otherwise it was a great book.
Brittany

Shakespeare's Secret
by Elise Broach textarea:

SHAKESPEARE'S SECRET is an excellent combination of history and   mystery. Hero, the main character, is a girl who finds herself involved in more than school problems after her recent move to Maryland. She, her next-door neighbor, and a local boy find themselves caught in an intriguing mystery involving a diamond, Hero's new house, and Shakespeare's true identity. This book was fun to read, and educational too. I would suggest that more people read this   wonderful story.
Darla

Shakespeare's Secret is the story of a girl named Hero. Hero is a girl who is new in her town and she has no friends, She doesn't fit in. This story sucked me in just like it was a black hole. This story is mistery/adventure, I loved it. I recomend this book.
Lilah

Hero is the new girl in town. She doesn't really fit in that well. She only knows her neighbor who told her that there is a humongo diamond somewhere on her property that Hero is dying to find. Many people have looked for it, but none succeeded...until Hero. I think that this is a great book, I definitely will recommend it , but I do not think that it is Newbery medal worthy. Natasha

Spy Mice: The Black Paw (ARC-advance reading copy)
by Heather Frederick
The story Spy Mice: the Black Paw was a good book. It is a about a mouse and a boy who become friends. The rats try to kill all the mice and the rats are about to win the battle. The kid (Oz) is a target for the other bullies. They help each other solve each other’s problems. The beginning was a little confusing though. I think it was a book for ages 10 and up.
Ryan



Things Left Unsaid
By Stephanie Hemphill

This book was a novel in poems that truly depicted the psyche of a teenage girl who befriended someone who needed guidance and lacked love and support. The author tells the story of Sarah’s struggle with her own identity while trying to understand her dark friend’s life, Robin. Each page turned wanting more-the ending was ideal-the presentation of information development of plot, easy to follow. Very moving and enjoyable.
Diane

This was a poem book was written as a poem book and this style was new to me.

It was about a girl named Sarah who is always a good girl. She is seventeen. Then she meet this girl, Robin, who dresses in black all the time and smokes. Sarah always follows Robin. But then Robin has an accident and is in the hospital. With Robin gone, Sarah becomes more independent. She stops wearing black, starts speaking up and making more friends. In the end she writes a letter to Robin, saying that she's moving on, and that she's inviting Robin to come along.

It was a good book but definitely a teenager book.

Janna


Tiger
by Jeff Stone

The book I read was "Tiger". It was very good but it was more of a boy's book. It was about a boy named Fu in India who was trained as a warrior monk with the skills of a tiger. It was a gripping book, also because Fu was running away from the army controlled by his brother.I recommend it for ten, eleven and twelve year olds.
Janna

The book was good but I would not recommend it for a Newberry award. This is because although most of the language was understandable, certain chapters could be confusing because of the Cantonese words. The book concerns a young monk whose home was destroyed and robbed. It is his quest to recover the stolen items and keep them safe from further robbery. The book was good but not good enough for an award.
Malcolm

This book is about warrior monks that have to defeat their step brother Ying. He is trying to kill them and had killed their whole (secret) village. The first book is about the tiger warrior named Fu. He has to battle against Ying and then find his own brothers. After you finish this book, it stops and continues with the Monkey book (Malao). I liked this book a lot. It has a great plot even though it is violent (but oh well).
Brittany

The old age China theme of Tiger was very exciting. The characters are very different, but also alike. The information was delivered fast, in other parts slow. Tiger is not Newbery material, but I do recommend it.
Tyler

The book I read is called "Tiger". This book is about a boy named Fu, which means tiger in Cantonese (A language in China). This book is the first in A series called The Five Ancestors. Fu has three "brothers", each a master of
Their own style of Kung-Fu. This book is somewhat educational. It has Cantonese words In it, so you can learn a bit of that language. I would recommend this book to boys, because of all the violence. I liked it very much. The plot is interesting and makes you want to keep reading (Fu is running away from his lost brother Ying,
because Ying has turned evil and wants to get the sacred dragon scrolls that will help him learn Dragon Kung-Fu.) I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

The characters are around the age of 14, but I think this book would appeal to Kids around eleven. The physical descriptions of the characters is very detailed. Example Fu was a short, stocky young man. He had a bald head and a scar on his right cheek. Each ! character's personality is very linked to the animal they are named after (Fu is very aggressive and wants to fight and not just run away). I liked this book very much and would definitely recommend it.
Brian

This story is about a boy who studied Tiger Kung Fu. Fu lives in a Temple with other boys. The boys that live in the Temple are considered brothers even though they are not related. Ying, his older brother, studied the Kung Fu of an Eagle. Ying betrayed his brothers in the Temple. Ying is really powerful and stole the Dragon's scrolls. There is war in the Temple between Ying and his followers and Fu and the others who live in the Temple. Ying captures Fu. Will Fu escape? This book was very exciting and I couldn't wait to finish it. I recommend this book to readers who like to read adventures.
Rachel



The Wedding Planners Daughter
by Coleen Murtagh Paratore
I loved this book. It was really well written, but for older girls (tweens). This book was about a girl, Willa, who's father died the day after her parents wedding in a hot air balloon. Her mother becomes a wedding planner after arranging her perfect marriage. She always wanted another father, but her mom is too serious to get remarried and moves too much. Finally, she is thirteen and moves to a town where her grandmother lives. She loves it there and makes a new best friend. She has a crush on this boy, Joe, who also likes her. Her mom falls in love with her English teacher, which she really wanted to happen. Her English teacher lives right next door and is a poet, who makes her mother laugh. This book is really good.
Brittany

Westminster Abby
By Micol Ostow

This book is a great book for tweens and teens. The characters are described with very interesting traits and characterizations, like Zoe with green hair. London, the setting, is explained while reading the book. It tells us about Big Ben and other famous places. This should definitely be a Newbery Award winner.
Brittany

A Wreath for Emmett Till
by Marilyn Nelson

Marilyn Nelson is a professor of English at UConn and an award Winning poet. She wrote A Wreath for Emmett Till as a is a memoir to Emmett Till, a 14 year old African American boy whose tragic death in 1955 helped spark the civil
rights movement. The Newbery may not be the right award for this book, but it is definitely an award winner.

This is one of the most profound poems I have read in a long time. It is a beautifully and intricately written wreath or heroic crown of sonnets, fourteen sonnets that are linked together. The last line of the preceding sonnet is the first line of the next with the fourteenth sonnet being composed of the first lines of all.

The poem is rich with symbolism, literary allusions, references to science, film and other human caused tragedies.
The illustrations are also unique and beautiful, translating the complex elements of the poem into painting.
I would highly recommend this poem to older middle schoolers and any adult who loves poetry. Due to the sophistication and complexity of the style and subject, this poem is probably not appropriate for younger readers.

This is an excellent piece for use in the classroom, middle school through college, or a piece to read and share with your older children.

Thank you Mrs.Gebel for recommending this book, it is a book I would have been very sad to have missed!

Ellen