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

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This book is about a girl, Katniss, who has been selected to participate in the Hunger Games. Twenty-four people, a boy and a girl, from each district, are chosen to participate in the Hunger Games. In the Hunger Games, the 24 contestants fight to the death. The last one alive wins.
This was a fast-paced, action packed story. The author includes vivid details which add to the excitement of this book. This book would make a perfect read for anyone of any age.

Ian P.- 8th grader

I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

This book is about four teenagers, Julie, Helen, Ray, and Barry,  and their experience last summer. They are keeping a terrifying and shocking secret.  But, someone knows what their secret is. This person won't stop scaring and stalking them---revenge is the goal.

I liked this book because it was very mysterious and shocking. I'm completely sure that if you like jaw-dropping mysteries that keep you on the edge of your seat then the novel I Know What You Did Last Summer is the book for you! Read this book to discover who is stalking these teenage friends.

Kyla N. - Grade 8

Jack's Run by Roland Smith

When Jack A.K.A.Zack's dad was caught shipping drugs for a cartel(the Spanish
equivalent to the Mafia),their dad had to enter the witness protection program.
Jack and his sister are kidnapped by the cartel's henchmen. The head of the cartel:
Alonzo Anzar is head of the cartel. Jack and his sister are shoved on a plane
heading for Anzar's vineyards. They are held hostage by Alonzo's brother, Raphile.
Jack's dad an ex-Navy SEAL and his friend, an ex-Navy SEAL and a former Cold War
Soviet spy, prepare to rescue the children.

My impression of the book is that it is capable of standing on its own or as an
installment of the series it is a part of. I enjoyed the book and would definitely
recommend it to other 8th graders.

Sean M. - Grade 8

Boy at War by Harry Mazer

This book is about a boy who lives in Honolulu, Hawaii and his best
friend, Davi, is Japanese. His dad is in the Navy and is on the
battleship, the Arizona, on the day Pearl Harbor is bombed by the
Japanese. Adam tries to find his father after the bombing and gets
caught up in the war. Adam is forced into fighting as an actual soldier
and changes over night. After the bombing, Adam thinks Davi might be a
Japanese spy and is very angry with him.
I would give this book an 8 out of 10 because it was a great historical
fiction story, and it helped me get connected with history. I learned a
lot about the bombing of Pearl Harbor; anyone who likes reading about
history would enjoy this book about Adam and his experiences.

Tyler M- 8th grader

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Do you ever dream of becoming a spy? Well, that’s the last thing Alex Rider wants to be. My book is called Stormbreaker, by Anthony Horowitz, a realistic fiction book. It’s about how Alex wakes to find his Uncle Rider dead from a car crash. When Alex investigates, he finds out that his uncle didn’t get into a car crash, someone shot him! But as he tries to find more out, he finds out he uncle was a spy for the M16! That’s like the CIA of Britain. I would love to tell you more, but it would spoil the book for you. I chose to share this book for you because it’s an amazing mystery and I think that many students would enjoy it. Other books in the series are Point Blank, Skeleton Key, and Eagle Strike.

Shane J.- 7th grader

Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Are you popular? Have you always been popular? Well if you are anything like Blair Waldorf you would have answered yes to these two questions. In this realistic fiction book by Cecily Von Ziegesar Blair is a popular girl in the upscale part of New York City. Blair is in a world inhabited by the cities fabulous crowd, a world of jealousy, betrayal, and popularity. Her life is crashing around her and she can’t get out. I would suggest this book to girls because it is a girly gossip book. Some other books by this author are You Know You Love Me, All I Want Is Everything, and It Girl. It Girl is another series by this author. If you want to know how Blair, a perfect girl in a perfect world, ruined her life I suggest you read Gossip Girl!

Allison C.- 7th grader

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

No one knows what the outcome will be after a big move. But, for Bella Swan, life has been beyond unpredictable. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer is a continuation of Twilight. After about two short years in Forks, Washington, her life is tossed upside down. The love of her life, Edward Cullen, leaves her to fight for herself. All because of a little paper-cut. But, Edward and his ‘Family’ have a big secret; they have an uncontrollable thirst for blood. After almost a year without Edward, however with the presence of a dangerous best friends and countless near-death experiences, a journey to Italy is made to stop Edward from making a mistake he could never correct. No matter how long he can live.

I chose this book because I wanted to know what happened after Twilight. I highly recommend the whole series (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn) to anyone who would enjoy a thrilling fantasy, or just wants a good read.

-Felicia B.- 7th grader

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin

This exciting realistic fiction book is a thriller about a young, eleven -year old girl named Hattie, troubled by her mentally disabled uncle. Later she decides that age doesn’t matter and when life hands her lemons she makes lemonades. Instead of treating Adam like the uncle he could never be, Hattie makes him her best friend. Even when the going gets tough, the two of them go through it together.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys cute, emotional books, then this is a great choice. I chose it because of the last sentence of the back of the book summary. “Hattie will find out how small a small town can be, how big the world outside is, and how far our hearts and minds can go.” After I read that, I felt that I had to know about the rest of the book, and I wasn’t going to stop until I did. This is going to be a book that you just can’t put down until its finished.

Lindsey Manera- 7th grader

Get Real By Betty Hicks

Dez likes grand pianos and elegant food, while her family are infamous slobs. She’s so different from her family that sometimes she thinks she could be adopted. Obviously Dez is very different from her family. When her best friend Jil seeks out to find her birth mother, (she’s adopted), Dez’s world goes upside down. This book is about friendship as much as it is about wanting a parent who is different than your own.
I picked this book because it is funny and inspiring. It’s inspiring because Dez goes after what she wants, and she’s really hard working. When she wanted a piano, she did everything to get it. The ending is very satisfying, and I related to all the characters. Other books by the author are I Smell Like Ham, Busted! and Out Of Order.

Yael F. - 7th grader

Timothy of the Cay by Theodore Taylor

Have you ever seen or read The Cay by Theodore Taylor? If you like this story, you’ll go crazy for Timothy of the Cay, a companion to The Cay also by Theodore Taylor. The author of this book calls it a prequel-sequel, because it tells what happens with Timothy before the original, and how Philip is after the original. This realistic fiction book won’t let you stop reading. It lets you compare and contrast the two as teens. As you read this book, you’ll find many examples as to why they are so alike.

Philip is still blind and has to make some decisions. He’s been scheduled for an appointment that might make his sight come back. He’s very excited because he might have a chance of seeing the cay. His dad rented a boat for the trip, because he was confident. Will he be able to see again? Will he finally be able to see the cay?

Timothy was a very happy teenager. He actually liked someone being the boss of him. Sadly, he was fired from his recent job as cleaning the boats. He didn’t mind this, because he had finally made enough to buy his own boat. He loved sailing, but his boat was wrecked in shallow, rocky water. What is he going to do? You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens to them both.

Joe B. - 7th grader

Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

Do you know what it’s like to be involved in politics and run a diner? This book is about a girl named Hope. Hope’s mom didn’t want the responsibility of a baby. So, Hope’s aunt, Addie, takes care of her. Hope and Addie move from New York City to a small town in Wisconsin. There, they both work at a local diner. The owner of the diner, G.T, has leukemia. G.T. also has a dream of becoming mayor. So, he runs for mayor. There’s a lot of craziness going on to help G.T. become mayor. Will G.T. survive leukemia, run the diner, and become mayor?
I think Hope Was Here was a great book. There is a lot going on and I wanted to keep reading to see what happens next. I hope that you will enjoy this realistic fiction book as much as I did.

Heather P.- 7th Grader