Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer is a thrilling, exciting book about a girl named Miranda and her family. When a meteor hits the moon, the moon gets closer to the earth in orbit. Everyone thinks it's perfectly fine... until natural disasters occur. First extreme weather tidal waves. Major blackouts. Then volcanic eruptions. And it gets worse. Miranda, her mom, and her brother must try to survive what they think is the end of the world.

I thought this book was very intriguing. It put an interesting twist on the whole concept of the end of the world, also. Therefore, I recommend this book for everyone who reads any genre. I had read it in less than a day and had really never stopped because it was just that interesting. So, I suggest that you pick up this book and start reading!


Tatyana M.

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

Lina and Doon have brought the people from Ember out to the surface. There, they live in the city of Sparks. But, it's not very easy. People are starving and laboring through the days. Tension is growing between the different groups. People are breaking in to houses, stealing supplies and vandalizing. Can Lina and Doon find the criminals, and avoid civil war.

This is the sequel to the major motion picture The City of Ember. Kids who love mysteries, science fiction, and survival will be clinging to the pages, never letting go. Appropriate for all ages, this thriller will bring exciting to whole new level.

Hope was Here by Joan Bauer

Hope was Here by Joan Bauer is a page turning book about this girl Hope whose mother left her with her aunt when she was born because her Mom knew that she could not take care of her. Hope and her aunt worked at a diner in New York City when the diner ran out of money then Hope and Addie (her aunt) had to move to Wisconsin to work at a diner there. Hope leaves behind her close friends who don't make it easy for her when she leaves. She and her aunt begin a new life and new adventures in Wisconsin.

This book is a quick read, page turning, and heart warming book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes realistic fiction, serious but funny books that have to do with leaving home, and people sticking together to get through tough times.

By:Caitlyn Smith

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

If you are looking for a good read, funny and dramatic, then I've got the perfect book for you! Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen is a book about a young girl and boy, Julianna and Bryce, and their lives as they grow older. Juli Baker, a young, enthusiastic young girl, develops a crush on her new neighbor, Bryce. However, Bryce does not return his feelings for this goofy girl. As you read, you will follow their successes and failures, love and lust, as the two start to discover themselves and their feelings for each other.

~Taylor N. (Battle of the Books review)

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

Ally, Jack, and Bree. All of these people are going to have a summer they will never forget. On a certain summer day, a solar eclipse will occur in a natural park site which is also Ally's home. Bree finds out that she is moving to the park even though she would MUCH rather go shopping. Jack is very unsocial and is going to the park with his science teacher in place of summer school even though he would much rather be drawing in his room. When they meet together Bree's family brings some unexpected news to Ally that will change her life for forever.

I absolutely love this book! The characters are fun and learn three very different lessons. In this book there is a good balance of humor, seriousness, and star facts. I would recommend this book to everybody, especially people that like Wendy Mass books. If I were you I would check it out ASAP!

Al Capone Does My Shirt by Gennifer Choldenko

Moose Flanagan and his family moved to Alcatraz Island in 1935. Alcatraz was an island that holds the most dangerous criminals like Al Capone. The Flanagans are a family of four: Moose, Natalie (a sixteen year old mentally disabled sister who is thought to be ten), a mom, and a dad. There are other kids on the island, but none of them are eviler than the warden's daughter, Piper. Moose soon becomes knee deep in all of Piper's plans.

This book is funny, melancholy, and family oriented. You will laugh, cry, and feel guilty to all of Moose's stories. This book is historical fiction. It is meant to those who need an easy funny book. Both girls and boys would read this books and savor every page of this marvelous story.

Battle of the Books Members

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin

Basically, this book is about a small town girl named Hattie. She's used to "normal". She likes to know everything that's going on and only worries if she'll be able to read on her front porch the next day. Because of this, Hattie isn't prepared when her mentally unstable uncle Adam comes to stay for the summer. She comes to learn that there's life beyond her small town of MIllerton and finds out how people can really hide behind their masks.
I cannot begin to explain all the feelings you will have toward this book. In my opinion, anyone would love this. Maybe with an exception of action lovers. At times things move little slowly but then picks up. It really stimulates your thoughts and gets you thinking things like, What if this was me? It's a great reading experience and I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Assassin by: Anna Myers

Assassin is a historical fiction story about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It's told from the point of view of Bella (a fictional character) and other times it's told from the point of view of the soon-to-be assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Booth was a charming actor at the time, and Bella is an assistant seamstress to Mary Todd Lincoln, the president's wife. How do these characters meet, and what happens when Booth tricks Bella into doing something terrible?

I'm not a fan of historic fiction, but this book was so different. It showed the charming side of Booth, while still showing the terrible crime that he had committed. And the new character in the story, Bella, is an interesting young girl. The author incorporates the historical event of Lincoln's Assassination while still entertaining the reader with an entrancing story.

BoB

Kaleidoscope Eyes by Jen Bryant

Kaleidoscope Eyes by Jen Bryant is about a thirteen year old girl named Lyza who goes on an adventure with 2 of her good friends for lost treasure. While spending the whole Summer sneaking out and taking on the adventure of her great grandfather, you'll never guess what she ends up finding! Can three thirteen-year-olds actually conduct a secret treasure hunt? What will they find? Read the book to find out!!

This book is a extremely good, easy-to- read book. Not only did the cover catch my attention, but I couldn't stop turning the page one after another until I was finished the story. I liked that the book was written in a poem. I would recommend this book to anyone! Jen Bryant also wrote the books ; The Trial ,  Pieces of Georgia , Ringside 1925 ,  Georgia's Bones , Abe's Fish , Rivers Words , and Call me Marianne.

Jenny D. - 8th grade