Friday, January 28, 2011

"Flipped" By Wendelin Van Draaen

Flipped is about a girl name Juli Baker who falls in love with a boy  
name Bryce Loski ever since he moved into her neighborhood when they  
were little. Bryce never gives Juli any chances because he finds her a  little weird. He just doesn't think a girl who raises chickens and  
sits in trees for fun is for him, until 8th grade comes along.  In 8th  
grade Bryce starts to realize that he might have some interest in Juli  
and Juli realizes that Bryce's blue eyes are just as empty as the rest  
as him. "Flipped" is a funny book that always keeps you wanting to  
read more. It could be read by both girls and boys because every  
chapter is either from Juli's point of view or Bryce's. "Flipped" also  
is a book  that many  of us could relate to which makes it more  
interesting.


Gabrielle M. - Mrs. Poulton
7th grade

Holes by Louis Sachar

The book I read was Holes. The author of the book is Louis Sachar. This book is about a kid named Stanley Yelnats.Stanley is accused of stealing a pair of shoes that fell from the sky. Stanley has to go to court and the judge gives him two options. He can either go to jail, or go to Camp Green Lake. Stanley chooses the camp. At the camp the boys are forced to dig holes every day. Stanley realizes he is digging the wholes for a reason. He can’t figure out the reason though. The warden is looking for something. But what could be in a dried up lake. Stanley tries to dig up the truth of what there looking for. I would recommend this book to boys because the main characters are boys. Can Stanley break the chain of his family have bad luck because they were cursed? Will he find what the warden is looking for? Read the book and find out!



Hoops by Walter Dean Myers

I read Hoops by Walter Dean Myers. In this realistic fiction novel, seventeen year-old Lonnie Jacksonis the star of a city-wide basketball tournament.His coach, Cal, knows Lonnie can easily make it to the NBA because he used to play pro ball, until he got involved with the wrong people. Cal and his friends got caught betting on games while they were pro. Know, a couple of decades later, Cal's friends know they can make a lot of money by betting on Cal's game. Cal's friends want Lonnie to sit out the championship game, and know Cal has to make a choice whether or not to play Lonnie.
    I would recommend this book to mostly guys. This is because most of the characters are boys. However, if you're a girl and like basketball I would still suggest this book to you.

Ryan B.
Mrs. Poulton
7th grade

The Geography of Girlhood by Kirsten Smith

This book is about a fourteen year old girl named Penny Morrow her mother left her when she was little and now she lives with her older sister Tara and her dad  but her finds a new girl friend  and she has a son.The son and Penny don't get along well.The main focus about this book is Penny runs away from home with her older boy friend and in this story it tells you truly how Penny thinks about life and her problems.


Victoria W.
7th grader
Mrs.Poulton

ttyl by Lauren Myracle

Ttyl is a story about three girls in high school going through their sophomore year. The author decided to use instant messaging form to write this book. The three girls in the book are Angela (Snow angel),  Maddie (Mad Maddie), and Zoe (Zoegirl).  These three girls promised stay true to each other even if they are going through tough times. Zoe and angela are have guy trouble and maddie did something that the whole school is talking about! Your going to have to read the book to find out what happens to these three best friends. I would recommend this book to mostly girls who like realistic fiction books.
                                                                                                       By: Katy H
                                                                                            Mrs. Poulton  7th grade 

A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass

Mia is a 14 year old girl just starting 8th and she’s a little different, when she hears thing, different colors flash across her vision and her letters and numbers have different colors too. In this book Mia is having trouble in school and with her friend Jenna and this is all because of her Synesthesia (that’s the name of her condition). In the book something bad happens that Mia doesn’t understand why it happened but then she realizes it only made her stronger and more appreciative of her Synesthesia. I would recommend this book to most girls but guys can read it too. I think girls will be able to relate to it more than boys because the main character is a girl.
                                                                                             By: Katy H
                                                                                              Mrs. Poulton
                                                                                              7th grade

"My Sister's Keeper" By Jodi Picoult

This book is about a girl named Kate who is an only child.  While young, Kate is diagnosed with leukemia.  Kate's parents must decide if they should have another child, in order to get the child's stem cells and help Kate live.  Kate's parents do have a little girl named, Anna.  The parents use Anna's cells to help Kate with the leukemia.  The book goes on and tells about the struggles between Kate's illness and Anna who as the younger sibling must give up a lot to take care of her older sister.
    If you would like to find out about the ups and downs of one families
struggle with their daughter's leukemia and how the younger sister must deal
with it I suggest you read this book.

Chyna Preston- 
Mrs. Poulton

"Anything but Typical". By Nora Raleigh Baskin

This book is about a nuetrotypical boy who gets emails from a girl who if you read the book you find out what her name is and and a lot more. This book was very interesting. It went into a lot of detail with everything that happens to him. One thing that happens to him is that he finds himself in many different situations.

I would recommend this book to anyone. It has a very short amount of
pages. It is very interesting, the teachers don't understand him but he
tries his best. He gets many different privileges. But what really made me
upset was the fact that nobody but one person understands him and his own
cousin calls him retarded.

Domingos B.
Mrs. Poulton

39 Clues: Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix


The book I read was The 39 Clues: Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book is about Dan Cahill, who is 11, and Amy Cahill, who is 14, a brother and sister team who are searching for the 39 clues against their relatives. For generations, the Cahill family has been searching for the 39 clues needed to become the most powerful human on earth. In this book, Amy and Dan aren’t just trying to get all of the clues; they have also been given a mission to reunite the Cahill family. They have to team up with the good members of the family in order to take down the evil relative, Isabel Kabra.  There is a big twist at the end!
                  I would recommend this book to boys and girls, because even though the relatives try to kill each other, there’s not too much violence. Also, there are boy and girl characters that have equal skills and abilities.
Declan S.
Mrs. Poulton

Framed by Gordon Korman


The book I read was Framed by Gordon Korman. It’s about a boy named Griffin Bing who is trying to change his bad reputation. Griffin has recently been blamed for stealing a valuable Super Bowl ring from his school. Even though he didn’t take it, everyone else except his friends and parents think he did steal it. Throughout the story, Griffin tries to catch the real culprit, but instead, he keeps getting into more trouble. For instance, Griffin gets put under house arrest with an ankle bracelet. However, with the help of his friend Melissa, he hacks it off so he can leave the house. If you want to know who actually stole the ring, you will have to read the book.
                  I would recommend this book to both boys and girls, because it’s not too violent or boyish. The book has situations and experiences to which both boys and girls can relate.

Declan S.
Mrs. Poulton
7th Grade

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

The book I have read was Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. This book is about a man named Christian who has to leave his home town because God told him that He was going to destroy the city by the fire of heaven. Christian has to leave his family and go on a pilgrimage so he can get rid of the burden he carries. When Christian goes on this pilgrimage, he encounters many distractions. Christian makes many mistakes on this journey, but an angel is always there to whip him into the right direction. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is full of commitment and mistakes. This book will make you think twice about people who you meet.

Branden C.
Mrs. Poulton
7th Grade

"Flipped" Wendelin Van Draanen.

In the book Bryce moves into a town where a girl Julianna starts to like Bryce before he even moves there. While the years go on Juliana starts to raise chickens. She gives top of the line eggs to him. And what does he do he throws them out.
I would recommend this book to anyone. This book only has about two hundred ten pages. Anyone who wants a short read they would like this book. And this book isn't specifically for boys or girls. This book so far is a great book.

Domingos B.- 7th grade
Mrs. Poulton

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

"The Team That Couldn't Lose" By Matt Christopher

 An inexperienced  coach named Phil Wayne takes over the football team called the Cayugans.  Chip Chase, one of the characters figures because the coach is new, they're in for a losing season.  But Coach Phil surprises everyone by teaching the team a fantastic new play every week, and this helps win their games.  The team finds out that someone has been mailing one
play each week to him anonymously.  Will Chip  and his teammates find out who the mystery coach is before the  end of the season?  If you want to know the answer to this you will have to read the book.
    Guys will like reading this book, weather you like football or not; it
really keeps you guessing throughout the entire book as to who is mailing in
the successful plays to the coach each week.

Alex S. 
Mrs. Poulton
7th grade

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

The book I read was Uglies by Scott Westerfield.
This book is about Tally Youngblood a fifteen year old living
in a future where from the ages twelve to fifteen you
are considered "ugly." Once you turn sixteen the city
completely restructures your face and body to make you
"pretty."While trying to sneak out to visit a friend Tally meets
Shay another fifteen year old about to go through surgery,
but Tally finds out that Shay has completely different thoughts
on what the city does to you. Because of the actions Tally's
new friend chooses to do she gets twisted up in a plot that
makes Tally begin to question what being "pretty"and"ugly"
really is. This science fiction novel is sure to keep you
reading until the very end.

Gayani P. - Mrs. Poulton
7th Grade

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

Son of the Mob is an funny, realistic fiction book. I think that this book is good for both boys and girls.  Son of the Mob is about a regular high school  boy named Vince Luca.  Vince’s dad, Anthony Luca, is in charge of a huge criminal organization.  While Vince tries to lead a normal life, his dad’s job is always interfering.  For example, when Vince signs up for the school football team, no one will even touch Vince out of fear that his dad will “pay them a visit”.  Also, the Luca house is completely bugged by the FBI.  The only way that they can talk to each other is down in the basement.  To make matters worse, Vince falls in love with  FBI agent’s daughter, Kendra Bightly.  Now Vince has to find a way to keep his family secret away from Kendra because if he doesn’t, he would risk having his dad arrested.  If you want to find out if Vince can keep the secret and keep his dad out of jail, you’re going to have to read the book.

-Joey M. - 7th grade
Mrs. Poulton

Dunk Under Pressure by Rich Wallace

The book I read is Dunk Under Pressure by Rich Wallace. It's about a kid name Cornell Duncan. The guys call him Dunk, but he couldn t dunk from a six-foot ladder. He s flat-footed and slow and jumps about two inches. But put him at the foul line and he doesn t miss. That s a big part of the reason he makes the YMCA s all-star basketball team going to the state tournament.Three days at the New Jersey shore if the team keeps winning, that is. Dunk would like nothing better. But it takes a few disastrous minutes off the bench for him to realize that it ll take more than free throws to make him a real all-star.

Kevin D. -7th grade

Mrs. Poulton

Monday, January 24, 2011

Kissing Snowflakes by Abby Sher

The book I read is Kissing Snowflakes by Abby Sher.  It's about a girl named Samantha (16) who goes on vacation to a ski resort with her dad, her brother, Jeremy (17), and her new stepmom, Kathy, who - let's just say - is not her favorite person in the world.  When Samantha thinks all odds are against her, she meets this boy Drew who is the ski instructor.  Sparks fly and they strike up a relationship.  Because of her desperation to stay with him and his group of "cool, older friends," she compromises herself and regrets it.  In this story of romance and life lessons, will Samantha find love with Drew or will she find someone else to "kiss snowflakes"with?

Samantha G.
Mrs. Poulton

Kissing Snowflakes by Abby Sher

The book I read was Kissing Snowflakes by Abby Sher, It was about a girl named Samantha and her dad just got remarried and to celebrate they go to a hotel during winter break. She meets this guy her brother Jeremy bring around and she knew from the start he was the one. but the hotel onwers teenage son worns sam about him but she doesnt listen to know whats goin to happen next you have to read to find out

Victoria W.
Ms.Poulton
7th grade

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The book I read was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This book is about a boy named Ponyboy Curtis, telling everything that is happening in his life, for instance, what happens in the gang he is in, which they call themselves Greasers. The Greasers always get in fights with another gang/group called the Socs, who tend to have the easier life than the Greasers. Throughout the book, even though his parents were killed in a car accident, it seems as though Ponyboy has a good life, until one night, when his older brother, Darry, has a meltdown on him, he runs away with his friend Johnny. While they are resting in the park, a few of the Socs attack them, and while one of them is drowning Ponyboy in a fountain, Johnny stabs the Soc, and kills him. That’s when everything in Ponyboy’s life changes for the worse, and you will have to read to see what happens next.
     I would recommend this book to mainly boys, because the main character is a boy, and all of the people in the gang are boys. Also, there is a lot of violence, but girls could read it too.



John S.
Mrs. Poulton
Everest 7

Friday, January 21, 2011

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

The I read book is A walk to Remember ,by Nicholas Sparks.
This book is about a girl name Jamie. Jamie is a church girl. This boy likes Jamie but in order for the boy to take Jamie on a date he has to ask her dad.
In this book Jamie shows here feeling and what she likes.

  Victoria Martinez
Ms.Navarra E-12
  

Killer by Sara Shepard

The book I read is Killer by Sara Shepard.It is the seventh book in the Pretty Little Liars book series. This book is about how Aria, Hanna, Emily, and Spencer are trying to find out who killed their friend Ally. As they get closer to finding the killer, they have to make sacrifices or risk their secrets being told by a mysterious person named A. Hanna has been having some boy troubles and the war between her sisters for higher popularity has gone to far. Aria is trying to deal with the fact she is going to have to deal with her parents splitting and going their separate ways. Emily on the other hand has lots of boy troubles and is starting to catch on to the silly tricks A has in store for them. Spencer is trying to piece together the puzzle of her family's past and gets herself into a world of trouble only to find out she was tricked yet again.In the end when they get super close to finding out some major secrets, that people have been hiding from them, Hanna, Emily, and Spencer find them selves caught in a fire in Spencer's backyard. Aria on the other hand was on her way to tell her friends some big news, when someone set a fire in the woods that leaded to Spencer's house.When caught in this fire Aria discovers something huge, that you wont believe and can only find out if you read this book series by Sara Shepard. This book series will leave you guessing after each book and you will want to find out more! I recommend this to mostly girls who loves mysteries and suspense. If you like both of those things this is the perfect series for you!

Jenna A.

Mrs. Poulton

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

The book I've just recently finished is Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard. In the little town of Rosewood, there are four high school juniors; Spencer, Emily, Aria, and Hanna. Underneath their beauty, each one of them holds an ugly secret. When they thought their secrets were safe, a mysterious stalker who calls himself/herself "A" begins to send threatening messages to them, containing tiny bits of their secret. The four former friends begin to think that "A" could be Alison, their friend that had been missing since 7th grade because she's the only one that knew their secret. Could it be Alison that's coming back for revenge?
    
I recommend this book to mostly girls because the book includes problems that girls will go through. The book is also mentions a lot about girl drama and relationships that boys probably won't understand as much. Since all of the main characters are girls, the book will be set towards a girl's point of view. If you like a mystery or drama kind of book, then check Pretty Little Liars out!

Yan Yan H.
7th grade
Mrs. Poulton

Dewey by Vicki Myron

On a cold January morning, librarian Vicki Myron found a kitten in the book drop in the small town of Spencer, Iowa. She named him Dewey and decided to keep him. When Dewey arrived, Spencer was going through hard times, but Dewey captured the hearts of many Spencer residents as he made everyone feel special and brought new hope. He always knew who needed a mood lift. Dewey later became known throughout the world. This nonfiction book is told from Vicki's point of view, and includes turns both funny and touching.

I recommend this book to all cat lovers. I especially like the part where Dewey brightens up a disabled little girl's life. This is different from other stories because it's nonfiction, but it still is a great read.

Tara Liu
Mrs. Poulton
7th grade

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Magician by Michael Scott

I have recently read The Magician by Michael Scott and I really enjoyed it. This book is the second book in a series of so far 4 books, and I recommend reading the first book, The Alchemyst, before you read this book.  Anyways the genre of The Magician is Fantasy. The main characters are Josh and Sophie Newman and Nicholas Flamel. Josh and Sophie are part of a prophecy and they are chosen to save the world from the Dark Elders. There are 2 types of elders, the original and the Next Generation. These two are split up into two other groups, The Dark Elders, or the ones who want to take over the world they once owned, and the normal Elders, who accept the fact that humans now rule the world.
The Dark Elders want to rule the world and the only thing stopping them are these twins, Josh and Sophie. Dr. Dee, who is working for the Dark Elders, is chasing Nicholas Flamel, Scatty, and the twins all over Paris. While Dr. Dee is tracking them down, Nicholas is taking Josh and Sophie to masters of the elemental magics to train Josh and Sophie so they don’t fall into the wrong hands. In the magician Flamel, Josh, and Sophie, and Scatty are being chased around Paris.
I think this book is for boys and girls because there is a boy and girl main character. I really enjoyed this book and think everyone should read it.

Roshan V.
Mrs. Poulton’s class

The Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks

The book i just finish is The Bend in The Road by Nicholas Sparks.
 This book is about a man named Miles Ryan. Miles has to take care of his
son Jonah. Miles wife Missy got killed in a hit and car chace. Miles goal is to find out who killed his wife Missy.
In the book there is a little romance but not to much. I think everyone would like this book.
This book has alot of everything.
 

Victoria M- Mrs. Poulton
7th grade

Monday, January 10, 2011

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

Did you know that there was a civil war and genocide in Africa in the 1980s and 90s in which millions of people died? Those who survived were driven from their villages and had to endure horrible conditions in refugee camps. A Long Walk to Water is based on this genocide and the aftermath.

This novel is based on a true story about a boy named Salva who was 9 when his village was attacked. He had to flee to Ethiopia and then Kenya in order to survive. Salva's story is amazing! You have to read this book to believe all that he went through. The novel also relays the story of a girl named Nya who lives in Sudan in 2010. The two stories cross at the end in a surprising way.

This novel is an easy and enjoyable read. You will learn a lot about the people who became known as The Lost Boys of Sudan.

Mrs. Gallagher

Reality Check by Peter Abrahams

The book I just recently finished is Reality Check by Peter Abrahams. Cody's life had been perfect. Having the prettiest and the smartest girlfriend, passing in all his classes, and having a high school football career. His future plan fell apart when he broke his leg that ended his future football career. Hoping things couldn't be any worse, his girlfriend, Clea was sent to a private high school across the country. One day, while walking around town, he found an article that claims that Clea was missing from her private school. The only clue he have is the letter Clea sent him. Abandoning his job, Cody sets out to find out the mystery of Clea's disappearance. Along the way, he begin to discover the town's many secrets.

I would recommend this book to anyone that like like mysteries because this book is all about looking for clues and figuring out the mystery step by step. This book also contain some fist-fighting action, so if you like a little action in some stories, then this book is right for you. Reality Check is certainly a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat until you reaches the last page.

Yan Yan H.
7th Grade
Mrs.Poulton

Monster By Walter Dean Myers

The book Monster is about a 16 year old boy getting sent to jail for murder, and went on trial. Even though Steve isn’t guilty, he is still worried about the jury making the wrong decision, and him going to jail for about the rest of his life.
The reason that the court thinks Steve committed the murder is because they think that two other guys, Bobo Evans and James King, forced him into helping them stick up a drugstore on the edge of the block. During the hold up, the owner, Mr. Nesbit, gets shot and killed, and the jury think there is a possibility that Steve is the one who shot the gun.
This book is more about how scared of this whole situation Steve is, not just the fact that someone was murdered. He always rights down how he feels, and what makes him most upset is that his family is so upset, and it is hardest for him to think about spending his life away fro them.

I would recommend this book to mostly boys, because it’s kind of violent, but girls could read it too.

John S.
Mrs. Poulton
Everest 7

Define Normal by Julie A. Peters

The book I’ve read is Define Normal by Julie A. Peters.  When Antonia has to work with a girl named Jasmine (Jazz) in a session.  She is totally against it.  Antonia knows that Jazz is one of those people don’t care about school and dresses in a certain way.  Both of them are totally opposite from each other.  One likes the color black, and one likes the color pink and one loves reading and the other loves music. When they end up meeting more at sessions they sort of develop a friendship. They’ll learn that “what you see isn’t always what you get.”
I would recommend this book to people who like books that they don’t expect something out of the character. Also if you like books by Julie A. Peters and you haven’t tried this out, this would be another book for you to look at. To find out more about the book, read Define Normal.

Cymberline O.
7th Grader
Mrs. Poulton

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen is about, Cole, a juvenile delinquet. Cole has smashed a boy's head into the sidewalk, and is given his last chance; he has to live on a secluded island, with some supplies all by himself, for a whole year. If that fails, he's going to prison. Cole choses the island and is sent on a boat to the island. Before the guard leaves he warns Cole about a "spirit bear," a pure white bear which lives in Alaska, although no where near the island. It's about Cole, living on the island and the life threatening dangers he has to go through.

Cynthia C.
Mrs. Poulton's L.A. class

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass


The book I just finished reading is Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life. Before Jeremy's dad passed away he had left this box for Jeremy  to open when he turned thirteen. Now, in a few months Jeremy will be old enough to open this box and see what's inside. But the only problem is . . . he doesn't have the keys! Jeremy and his best friend Lizzy go on this wonderful adventure to find the missing keys. Along the way they get caught into some trouble and they have to help an old man named Oswald Oswald. They have looked everywhere, but still no sign of the keys.
     I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes a little adventure full of suprise because Jeremy and Lizzy search throughout the whole city to find the keys. But if you can't handle books with some sad parts then this may not be a good book for you. Overall this was a great book because you felt like you were right there with them during the whole quest. To find out if Jeremy find the keys read Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life.
 
 
Maithri G.
Mrs. Poulton
 
 
 
 

Monday, January 3, 2011

A Boy at War by Harry Mazer

I thought the book was a great book. If you think about reading it then do. The book is about a teenager names Adam that has moved around a lot because his Dad is in the military and his family has to move with there father. Bea Adams sister doesnt mind but when they move to Hawii Adam makes a friend Davi. He sees Davi at the beach and and plays football with him and his friends and on his way home he wipes out on his bike so Davi told him that he could go woth him to his house and his dad could fix it. And adam didnt want to be late and he went with Davi and his dad fied his bike and he was late any ways. his dad asked him why was he late and he told his father the truth. His father asked were does Davi live and Adam told him. His father was mad at him because he lives in Chinatown and his father says that they are Japenesse and adam tried to argue. Then he was hanging out with Davi and They were getting shot at by a Japenesse plane and they thouht it was a show. If you want to find out the rest you will have to read it yourself. It is awsome!

Kevin, 7th Grade
Mrs. Poulton