Review – Nowhere But Here

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

This book is about a girl named Emily and her messed up family tree where her mom hides the past of her biological father and the time of her birth. But when Emily’s mom finds out that her mother in-law from the past has died, it puts her mother in a sad state;  Emily will have to go to the wake and meet with the crazy family of her biological father, Eli. But her family brings a bundle of surprises. The Olivia situation is not as simple at it seems, she meets a gorgeous boy in her family’s group of friends who she might possibly fall in love with, and there is an illegal gang out for revenge on Eli and decide to take it out on Emily. Oh, and did I mention that her family is a biker gang? When a series of unchangeable events happen, Emily must get past the lies and get to the truth because that is the only way she will make it out unscathed.

I love this book because it has a series of plot twists that will change Emily’s future and will bring her to love her crazy and deranged family, and it will give her the truth of what her mother has been hiding, what everyone’s been hiding. I also love the new love that Emily and Oz start.

I recommend this book to kids 11 and above.

Megan C, Fifth grade, Glorietta Elementary, age 11

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Review – Spaced Out

Spaced Out by Stuart Gibbs

Recently I read Spaced Out. It’s about a boy named Dash and he lives on the moon with many other people. They’re trying to find out what happened to their base commander, Nina, who has suddenly disappeared.  I like it because it has many different characters that are very unique. I recommend it for people who like mysteries and space. Also, I recommend it for ages 8 and up.

Keizo, John Muir Elementary, age 10, 5th Grade

Artwork by younger brother Kenzo, age 7

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Review – The Heartbreakers

The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak

Stella hates the band The Heartbreakers, but her twin sister (who has cancer), loves the them. Stella loves her sister so much, she would drive to Chicago with her triplet, Drew, and stand in a line and wait to have a CD signed, only to end up leaving without an autograph. Stella suddenly realizes that the cute boy she bumped into at Starbucks who paid for her drink  was the lead singer for the Heartbreakers and, get this, Stella insulted his music in front of the entire band, told him to his face that his music sucks. But then spending one night with the band changes everything; she gets a job doing what she loves most and she gets to hang out with the band, she falls in love, gets her heart broken, and has to make a decision that includes her sister.

I love this book because I love how the author made Stella have so many options and choices to make. I love how this book has so many obstacles and with each choice Stella makes, she ends up in an adventure to find who she really is. This book also gives you a major reality check on whats going on around you. I love how the author makes one character end up doing something so astonishing. I also like this book because every girl wants a job doing what she likes without having to work super hard and also being able to hang out with her friends at the same time.

Megan C., 10 years old, Glorietta Elementary, 5th grade

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Recommendation – The Mouse and the Motorcycle

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
(artwork by Kenzo)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

I like this book because it is very interesting and very fun to read. I give it 5 stars. The boy is named Keith and the mouse is named Ralph. I like this author because she wrote many books that I like. I recommend that you read this book. I think this is for ages 8-15. I hope you are convinced.

-Kenzo, John Muir, 1st Grade, age 7

Review – Savvy

Savvy by Ingrid Law

When Beaumonts turn thirteen, they get a magical power which they call their “savvy.”

Mibs is about to turn thirteen. She can’t wait to discover what her savvy is. Then Poppa gets hurt in a horrible accident. Mibs decides she needs to make things right again. But how? Follow Mibs on this exciting journey in Savvy by Ingrid Law.

I like Savvy because, besides their savvy, it is a realistic fiction book. I like how Ingrid Law blended the two genres together to make one story.

I also liked Savvy because it is about a girl a little older than me being on an adventure and facing challenges along the way.

People that are 8-12 will probably like this book the most.

Thank you for reading this. I hope you read and like Savvy.

-Theodora M., 6th grade, age 10

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Review – Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

This story takes place in a world where people are confined to live within the walls of a city and where there are factions; Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the fearless), and Erudite (the intelligent). Tris (Beatrice), the main character in this story, has to choose which faction she wants to be with for the rest of her life; abandon her family she has lived with her whole life, or be the best daughter ever and stay in Abnegation when she has always felt she has never fit in. When she suddenly picks Dauntless, her whole life changes and enters a dangerous life, concealing what she is and how she thinks.

What I really love about this book is that it is so action packed that it will keep you up all night. I love when Tris does not know what faction she is going to pick at the Choosing Ceremony and she suddenly picks Dauntless. I think that if she hadn’t chosen Dauntless, the story would not be good and she would not have as big of an adventure as she did after she chose Dauntless.

This story reminds me to dream, fight, and never give up, and that anything is possible.

Megan C., Glorietta Elementary, age 11, 5th grade

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Review – Ender’s Game

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2

Ender’s Game is a fictional adventure about a boy named Andrew who goes by Ender. A man named Graff comes to take Ender from his parents, his older brother, Peter, who will kill him, no joke, and his loving sister Valentine who shed the most tears at his departure. The book is about Ender’s journey through battle school with his fear of turning into a killing machine like Peter. He is good at playing training games, but will that work when the real war has to be fought?

I love this book because Ender is such a determined person. I think that Orson Scott Card has a great view of Ender and equality. I think it should be recommended for ages 9+. I would give it 4 1/2 stars.

Natalie G., Redwood Day, 6th Grade

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Review – Stargirl

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

★ ★ ★ 1/2

This book is about a girl who goes to a new school in Arizona and no one likes her…except for a boy named Leo. What will happen when the whole school sees them together?

I read this book with a book club, so that meant only reading five chapters a week. I was so tempted to read more but that would get me into a lot of trouble. This is a story for about ages 9+. I would give it three 1\2 stars.

Natalie G., Redwood Day, 6th Grade

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Review – The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, ill. Timothy Basil Ering

★ ★ ★ ★ Star Review

The Tale of Despereaux is split into four parts, and each part is filled with adventure. The first part is focused on Despereaux himself and is called “A Mouse is Born”. The second part is about a rat named Chiaroscuro who lives in a dungeon. “Chiaroscuro” is the name of the second part. The third part is about a girl named Miggery Sow, Mig for short. Mig is an acquaintance of a princess in the same castle Despereaux and Chiaroscuro live in. The third part is called “Gor! The Tale of Miggery Sow”. The fourth part is how all of the characters come together, called “Recalled to the Light”.

I love this book because it is full of adventure, love, beauty, and humor. I think the age would be 7+ because of some gruesome and scary parts. I would give it four out of five stars.

Natalie G., Redwood Day, 6th Grade

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Review – Invisible Inkling

This book is called Invisible Inkling. The author is Emily Jenkins, and the illustrator is Harry Bliss. I think this book is great. What happens is a boy (Hank Wolowitz), finds an invisible creature called a bandapat named Inkling. Hank finds Inkling by feeling something furry, and saves Inkling from their neighbor Seth Mnookin’s dog, Rootbeer. Inkling needs squash and pumpkin to be bandapat-like, so later on in the story, he plans to go to a pumpkin farm.

Before that, he needs to bite Bruno Gillicut on the ankle because Gillicut is a bully and is being mean to Hank.  Before he bites Gillicut, Hank finds out you can see Inkling in mirrors. He holds Inkling up and Inkling does NOT like when Hank picks him up and doesn’t like being seen. He decides to leave earlier than when Hank and him planned to bite Gillicut. Will Inkling come back? Will Inkling bite Gillicut on his ankle? You’ll have to read to find out!

I like this book because it is very suspenseful. It is also very funny.  I also like the fact that Hank had an invisible friend to entertain him.  I like that you could imagine yourself having an invisible friend.  If you like this book, there are two more in the series.  Thanks for reading!

By Leela C., Redwood Day School, 8 years old, 3^rd grade

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