Close To Shore by Michael Capuzzo

The informational novel (written like a fictional), Close To Shore, is a great (true) tale of the month of drama of/following the July 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks (which later inspired the movie “Jaws”). This story starts with a breezy afternoon on a 1916 New Jersey beach, when people thought of sharks as we today think of dragons: a myth. But when the first man is killed by a shark… the detectives that investigate find that sharks “are harmless” and could not have killed a man, but we now know today that that is completely false. Instead, they think the murderer is along the lines of a killer whale. More people are killed, and as the people of the east coast try to track down and kill whatever is taking lives, they found out something that no one would ever want to believe…
I thought this was a great “just for fun” book, but also for people who maybe have a report or informational paper due on great white sharks. I found it very exciting since the author, Michael Capuzzo, really understands how to grip a reader and feel like they’re in the story. What I liked most about this was that different parts are told from different people. The narrator’s view changed from the perspectives of the victims, witnesses, to even the actual shark! This book helps you see the event from all angles and is overall a great book.

Michael Capuzzo has also written The Murder Room, Mutts: America’s Dogs, Der Hai, and more!

Lauren S.
8th grade science student

Mind Readers: Science Examines Esp (24/7: Science Behind the Scenes) by T. Tilden

Synopsis: Do you believe in ESP? Is it possible for someone to be able to see into the future?
Can one human know exactly what another is thinking, using telepathy, or are they
just mentalists? Well with all the magicians today that have admitted to not really
having ESP, it's very easy to be a skeptic. In this non-fiction book. you willl read
multiple real life examples of ESP, and backround information on today's magicians
and mentalists.

Review: My favorite part of this book was learning how Marc Salem, one of today's best
magicians, pulls off al of the amazing tricks that blow peoples minds. Reader's that
would enjoy this book should be people interested in learning more about the topic
of ESP. This author has also written another "24/7 Science Behind the Scenes" book
entitled "Help! What's Eating My Flesh?: Runaway Staph and Strep Infections!"

AJ Goldstein
8th grade science student

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

Have you ever read a book about survival in a dog’s prospective? How about one where the main character has to dig down into the snow at night just to stay warm? If you want to try to read a book like that The Call of the Wild would be a perfect book. It's an exciting adventure book. The book is about a dog named Buck, in Alaska, that goes through a lot of obstacles. As Buck is in Alaska he gets stronger and smarter. He is forced to become a sled dog.


One of Buck's owners abuses Buck a lot. Buck owes his life to a guy named John Thornton because John saves Buck from being abused even more. I think the message in this book is not to abuse animals. This book is hard to read and it might take you a long time, but it is worth it! The Call of the Wild only has seven chapters. I would recommended this book to someone who likes adventure and classics.

Jason C
7th grader