Student Book Reviews: December 2009

Book Title: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lost Olympian by Rick Riordan Review written by Alexandra E., age 12 at JFK "I rate this book 4.5 stars because the story had a lot of action and it was funny! The most compelling aspect of the book was when the Olympians win the war over the evil Krontos and his assistants. I would certainly recommend this book to a friend."

Book Title: The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman Review written by Hannah K., age 11 at JFK "I really liked the overall concept of the book and gave it 4.5 stars! It was really addicting and made me want to read more. The part where you find out what was different about Lexie really changed the course of the story, in my opinion. The only thing I didn't like was Old Man Crawley's attitude toward Schwa and Antsy."

Book Title: The Chronicles of Vladimer Tod: Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer Review written by Silvia J., age 13 at JFK "If I could, I would rate this book 6 stars on a 5 star scale! I loved everything about this book, even the cover! Vladimir looks cute on it! The story is about vampires and I really loved this book."

Student Book Reviews: November 2009

Book Title: Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George Reviewed by Kennedy M., Age 11, student at JFK "I rated this book 5 stars because it was thrilling and exciting to read. The best part was when Amalia and Creel were fighting for the slippers. I really didn't like when Shardas went into the lava sea. I would recommend this book to a friend."

Book Title: The Naked Mole-Rat Letter by Mary Amado Reviewed by Noorani P., age 12, student at JFK "I liked when the girl lied to everyone and said that her father was having a nervous breakdown. This book was both comical and emotional. I think the best part was when the main character really liked a boy. There was nothing I didn't like about this book!"

Student Book Reviews: October 2009

Book Title:  Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick Reviewed by Ashley H., Age 11, student at JFK "I rated this book 5 stars because it is very touching and inspiring.  It tells a good story.  It was powerful and heartbreaking.  It is a good book, especially if you are ready for a sad one."

Book Title:  Chasing Vermeer  by Blue Balliet Reviewed by  Shoaib J., Age 11, student at JFK "I rated this book 5 stars because the author was very detailed.  I also liked the illustrations and there are codes you can solve within the book.  It was perfect book for me."

Book Title:  The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo Reviewed by  Hannah K., Age 11, student at JFK "I rated this book 4.5 stars because it was really well-written and a true page turner.  I loved the descriptive words and amazing dialogue.  In the middle of the book, you may feel like you are Despereaux in his situations."

Top TEN Books checked out at JFK Fall/Winter 2009:

1. The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms by Marvin Terban
4. Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
5. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
6. Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
7. Gossamer by Lois Lowry
8. The Hunger Games by Suzanned Collins
9. Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
10. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

2010 Caudill Award Winning Books

AUTHOR                               BOOK TITLE

Amato, Mary                           Naked Mole-Rat Letters
Applegate, Katherine              Home of the Brave
Bingham, Kelly L.                  Shark Girl
Dowell, Frances O'Roark        Shooting the Moon
Freedman, Russell                   Freedom Walkers: The Story of the
                                                 Montgomery Bus Boycott
George, Jessica                        Day Dragon Slippers
Graff, Lisa                              The Thing About Georgie
Hahn, Mary Downing             All the Lovely Bad Ones
Hobbs, Will                             Crossing the Wire
Kent, Rose                              Kimichi & Calamari
Mass, Wendy                          Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Morpurgo, Michael                 The Mozart Question
Nuzum, K. A.                                     A Small White Scar
Schmidt, Gary D.                    The Wednesday Wars
Smith, Roland                         Elephant Run
St. John, Lauren                      The White Giraffe
Stead, Rebecca                       First Light
Tarshis, Lauren                        Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree
Urban, Linda                           A Crooked Kind of Perfect
Wolf, Joan M.                         Someone Named Eva

2009 Rebecca Caudill Nominees
Visit http://www.rcyrba.org/ for more information.

Alabama Moon	Key, Watt
Black Duck	Lisle, Janet Taylor
Black Storm Comin'	Wilson, Diane Lee
Blood on the River: James Town 1607	Carbone, Elisa
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters	Blume, Lesley M.M.
A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama	Schlitz, Laura Amy
Gossamer	Lowry, Lois
The Green Glass Sea	Klages, Ellen
Hattie Big Sky	Larson , Kirby
Heat	Lupica, Mike
The Invention of Hugo Cabret	Selznick, Brian
Letters From Wolfie	Sherlock, Patti
Life as We Knew It	Pfeffer, Susan Beth
The Lightning Thief	Riordan, Rick
Oh, Rats!: The Story of Rats and People	Marrin,  Albert
Penny from Heaven	Holm, Jennifer L.
Project Mulberry	Park, Linda Sue
Rules	Lord, Cynthia
shug	Han, Jenny
Wolf Brother	Paver, Michelle

Other Book Recommendation Sources

The librarians at the Plainfield Library Children's and Young Adult section are an invaluable resource for book recommendations to match your child's interests and reading abilities.

These are Internet resources that provide book reviews, book lists by topic, author sites and tips for parents.

http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/home.html
http://www.overbooked.org/booklists/genres/index.html
http://www.reading.org/choices
http://www.nancykeane.com
http://www.bookspot.com/