Author: rock818

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The Hobbit

Title: The Hobbit
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 5 (and more)
Age Recommendation: 10 and up
The Hobbit is an excellent fantasy/adventure book about a hobbit( creatures who usually do not like adventure) along with some dwarves and a wizard (sometimes) going on a journey across the world to do multiple related things that are hard to sum up briefly. I would recommend for age ten and up for peril, old languaging,and some character death.
This books biggest strengths are the descriptive and fascinating environment and world , as well as it’s well developed and flawed characters that seem human,even though they are not. Middle-Earth is a fully developed world that seems as though the story were built around it as opposed to it hastily being built to match the story. An interesting strength of the main character is that he rises to the occasion and embodies the job that was given to him, even though at first he seemed entirely unfit for it. There are some interesting characters throughout, and one even that may not seem very interesting or complex,but of whom your opinion changes of by the end of the book. One flaw of The Hobbit is that most of the dwarves are practically interchangeable.  But the main characters are so well done that you can forgive it for having less developed side characters. If you appreciate stories with an unusual type of hero and a world with seemingly as rich of a history as our own, than you are in for a treat! I highly recommend!

Every Soul a Star

Book Title: Every Soul a Star

Author: Wendy Mass

Stars: 5

Recommended Age Range: 8-14

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Every Soul a Star is a wonderful book about 3 kids who, for various reasons, are brought together by a solar eclipse. Meet Ally a nature girl who has lived at The Moon Shadow Campground her whole life, where the eclipse will occur, and refuses to imagine life any other way. Bree, a beautiful girl obsessed with being at the top of the social hierarchy, who throughout the book learns that there is more to life,and Jack, who is used to spending all his time alone, but when opportunity arises, finds himself in situations he never would have imagined. In alternating chapters the book follows the journey of these 3 very different people and how their lives connect and change and grow as they are brought together by the eclipse. I recommended this book for fans of coming of age books, people with an interest in astronomy, or those who enjoy hearing about something from many sides of the story. I highly recommend this book!

El Deafo

Author : Cece Bell

Genre: Graphic Novel/Autobiography

Recommended age: 8 and up

Stars: 4

El Deafo is a graphic novel that is based on the author’s childhood. Cece, the main character is deaf. With a hearing aid, she can hear but she can’t understand very well without looking at the people speaking and reading their lips. But then, she gets a new more powerful hearing aid that connects to a microphone that her teacher wears. Cece soon realizes that she can hear her teacher not only in the classroom but in the hallways,  the teachers lounge and even in the bathroom. She makes up a superhero version of herself, El Deafo, Listener for All. But she soon realizes that being a superhero is just another way of feeling different and lonely. As she grows up, can she find what she really wants – a true friend?

Caddie Woodlawn

Author: Carol Ryrie Brink

Number of stars: 3 1/2

Recommended age : 7 and up

Genre: Historical Fiction

Caddie Woodlawn is a story written about the authors grandmother. Most of the names are changed a bit and the scenes as well but this book is based on the real stories of the author’s grandmother’s childhood. It is the story of 11 year-old tomboy Caddie Woodlawn and her life throughout the year. She and her two brothers have adventures around town and with people who come to visit. This is the story of about a year in her life.

11 Birthdays

Written by: Wendy Mass

Recommended  Age: 8 and up

Stars:5

Genre: Fantasy

Amanda is turning 11. She and her best friend Leo have the same birthday. They have always celebrated it together except this year because of a fight they had last year. Amanda is looking forward to the day after her birthday, but it doesn’t come — instead her birthday repeats day after day.  The rest of the book includes a lot of fun, friendship, and magic as well as the discovery of an interesting old family story. This is the first book in the Willow Falls series.

The Wild Things

Author: Dave Eggers, Based on Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak

Age Reccomendation: 9 and up

Number of Stars I give it:1 and 1\2

The Wild Things starts out with a boy who is at home and does not have the best family. He does some forbidden things, gets in some trouble and decides to run away. He finds himself on an island where there are strange, large creatures. They end up thinking that he is the king. He tries to help them, with mixed results. I found it kind of boring at many parts and just not an interesting storyline. I would recommend this book if you think monsters are awesome.  Or if you love misbehaving boys. I gave this book 1 and 1\2 stars. 1 is the lowest rating I can give a book and it got an extra 1\2 just because I thought that before the little boy left home the book was sometimes at least a little bit interesting. The Wild Things was not my favorite book,but I’m sure some kids would love it.

The Wind in the Willows

Author: Kenneth Grahame

Suggested Age: 5 and up

Stars: 5

Genre: adventure

This book is amazing! It has a great story that catches your interest from the very first word. The main characters are a mole coming out of his hole to explore, a rat who loves boats, a crazy and hilarious toad, and a brave calm badger. These 4 friends go on great adventures that are told in a poetic and beautiful way. My favorite part of the book is Mr. Toad and his crazy adventures. Mr. Toad goes from one hobby to the next and has mishaps that include car crashes, pretending to be a washerwoman, jumping from a train and more. This is a great story of friendship and exploration!

The Higher Power of Lucky

Written by:Susan Patron

Recommended Age: 10 and up

Stars:5

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Imagine living in a town of only 43 people, in the middle of the desert, with a very French guardian, an extensive collection of bugs, and a backpack full of survival gear that goes with you everywhere! Lucky – a 10-year-old girl who is adjusting to life after her mother dies – cares for her dog HMS Beagle, eavesdrops on 12-step anonymous meetings to learn about “higher powers,” and has various adventures with friends and neighbors in her little town.  The rich details, funny scenes, and Lucky‘s interesting point of view  make this book a great read.  This book has a great surprise ending that really ties everything together.