Monthly Archives: February 2017

Feb
28
2017

The Story of Texas, by John Edward Weems and Ron Stone

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The title of my book is The Story of Texas. It was written by John Edward Weems and Ron Stone. The Story of Texas is about all the important  things that have happened in and to Texas from the early 1500’s to the late 1900’s. A few of the historic people that are included are Santa Anna (the President of Mexico when Texas was fighting for their independence), Sam Houston (the first President of the Republic of Texas), Stephen F. Austin, Mirabeau Lamar (the second President of Texas), and the Indians of Texas (mostly the Cherokee). These people appear in all the stories in the book. The Parker family is only in one story. This book has many different events in each part; there are four parts. This book will help you with your knowledge of Texas because it has good stories, good pictures, and good descriptive words to go with the pictures. It tells you a lot of history.  

The Texas President, Sam Houston, was wise, brave, and consistently right.  He was wise because when he made all the laws of Texas, almost all of them worked. He was brave because you have to be brave to be the first president of the Republic of Texas, and he commanded people. He was consistently right because he predicted that the Confederacy would lose. He said that Texas was going to fall when they joined the Confederacy (Texas did fall apart after that war). Sam Houston was the most important person in this book.

An interesting part in the book is when people fought at the Alamo. This was interesting because they held up longer than everybody thought they would. Another memorable part is when the book explains how people lived. That’s memorable because the way they lived was very different from the way we live. There are no duals now. And there are much less criminals. The construction of houses is very different. One more important part is when the Texans in the military fought at Rio Grande and beat the Mexicans. This is important because it’s a big part of how Texas gained independence from Mexico. All these interesting historical facts about Texas will teach you about the people and land of the Lone Star state.

This book is good because it teaches you about a state (if you’re not from Texas) you don’t know about. Another reason I like the book is that there is more than one story. If you don’t like the first part, the second part will be totally different. Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, the second President of Texas, reminds me of George Bush. Lamar reminds me of Bush because Bush wanted to wage war on Iraq. He was wrong to go. Lamar wanted to be in the Confederacy, forcing Sam Houston to resign as President. Texas was basically destroyed after the war just like Iraq was. I would rate this book four and a half stars. It’s cool to read about a way of life that is different from your own. I really recommend this book because Texas is not in the same location as LREI is and this book is all about Texas.

 

Feb
28
2017

When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead

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When You Reach Me is a good mystery novel that I read. The book is by Rebecca Stead. It’s all about how Miranda receives letters from some mystery person. Miranda learns who to avoid in her neighborhood by sixth grade like one crazy guy on the corner. This book takes place where she lives, in school and around her neighborhood. I would recommend this book for people who like mysteries!

Miranda is curious, adventurous and brave.  Miranda is curious because she likes to know what’s going on around her and she has so many questions in her head that she wants to answer, like when someone keeps writing her letters and she doesn’t know who it is. I like that about her. Miranda is calm because when she reads the letters, she doesn’t tell anyone and doesn’t go crazy about it because she was told not to. Miranda is brave because when boys gang up on her or her friends, she stands up for them. I like that about her because she’s being an ally.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is when Miranda figures out who she gets the letters from. It was also interesting when Miranda’s best friend Sal got punched in the stomach because one of the boys just decided that he wanted to see what would happen if he did that. I think it wasn’t cool how Sal got mad at Miranda for no reason.  It was interesting because he said he really just needed a break from their friendship which is why he didn’t talk to her for a while. He knew that his only friend was a girl and he wanted more boy friends to hang out with.

I enjoyed the book When You Reach Me. I enjoyed it because I liked how I had to figure out what was going to happen next, and who was writing the letters to Miranda. I would recommend this book to people who like mysteries and figuring things out like a puzzle. I find Miranda a unique character because she starts something she doesn’t give up. I really like that about her that’s why I read this book in the first place. I also heard that the book was really good from a lot of my friends. On a scale from one to five I would give this book three stars which would mean it was pretty good. But it is not my favorite book. I think people should read this book!

Feb
23
2017

The War That Saved My Life By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

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Ada is the main character of the book The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. The book takes place during World War Two, 1939. Ada’s crippled. Her mom is cruel and Ada has never left the small flat she lives in. Ada’s little brother Jamie is going to be sent out of London because of the Natzis bombing London. Jamie didn’t want to leave Ada, and Ada didn’t want Jamie to leave. Ada snuck away with Jamie and got on the train with him. Where will they live? Will Ada have to go back to living with her cruel mother?

 

Ada is confused, sad and excited about the new rules she is living with. She was alone a lot in the flat. And where she stayed they were nice to her even though she had a clubfoot-which could have been fixed when she was a baby- which means her foot is bent and works the wrong way so hurts to walk. They tried to help her. Susan Smith took them in from the train. She brought Ada to the doctor and helped her get better with her foot. Ada had a wonderful time outside. She taught herself how to ride a pony named Butter. And she befriended a girl named Maggie. Because Ada was not used to people caring for her, she got angry with Susan when Susan tried to help her, or tried to hug her. Her little brother Jamie kept wetting the bed but then he found a cat, who he named Bovril, and stopped.

 

I really liked the book. It was sad and fun. The best part is at the end. It is big but I don’t want to spoil it, instead I’ll tell you the question. Will Ada and Jamie live with Susan freely or will she have to go home and live with her mom and her mom’s restrictions, for Jamie who wants his mom, since she is not disappointed in him? This book is realistic fiction, it has it’s own drama, but it isn’t fake. The book gives you a taste of history and I would recommend it to people who like drama, with only small action scenes, though a bit, and historical facts about world war 2 and more. I give the book The War That Saved My Life a five star rating!

 

Feb
23
2017

Diary of an 8-Bit Villager Warrior

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Do you ever need a book to read? If so then read Diary of an 8-Bit  Villager Warrior by Cube Kid. The book takes place in Minecraftia, which is a whole different world. Runt and Stump, the two main characters, are trying to complete their goals in life and become warriors, but they can’t. They’re just every day villagers they can’t be warriors and the mayor won’t let them. They have to be farmers, blacksmiths or librarians. Runt and Stump are in their last year of school and after this year they would have to get a job but they don’t want any of those jobs. Luckily the mayor changes the rule that villagers can’t be warriors because the mobs (zombies, skeletons, endermen, witches, creepers and slimes) are getting stronger and smarter. So now, the top five students can be warriors.

 

But Runt and Stump have some competition on their hands. Even though Runt is the second best student, a bully Max is in first. Max’s best friend is Razberry but he is not doing too well. When the mobs destroyed Steve and Mike’s house the village know that they were in trouble. Steve and Mike came from this weird planet earth, and got transported into Minecraftia by this weird wizard named Noch. They say that they play a game called Minecraft a lot and Minecraftia is a lot like it. Steve and Mike are really good warriors. Since they lost their house earlier, Steve stayed in Runt’s house and Mike… well, let’s just say he did some bad thing earlier. Anyway Runt is really excited for the first combat class but their teacher knows nothing. Runt insisted on letting let Mike out of jail and he let’s Steve and Mike be the combat teachers. He said yes to Steve but he had to prove himself so he did and then they let Mike try and he proved himself too. So now they are the combat teachers and they are actually learning combate.

 

I like this book because it has action and there is always something going on and to think about. I like it because it is also funny and fun to read. I would recommend this book if you like those type of things in a book. I would also recommend this book if you like books that take place in Minecraft even though in this book you don’t notice it and it is in Minecraftia, which is a little different. A connection I have to this book and my life is a game I play is called Minecraft and they say that bad people come and take caritas from the farms and steal things from the blacksmiths and I do that all the time in Minecraft. I rate this book a 4 I really like it.

 

Feb
16
2017

The Blood of Olympus, by Rick Riordan

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I read a book called The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan. This book is part of a series called The Heroes Of Olympus. The book/series takes place in 2016 and a bunch of places I can’t even list, but it mostly takes place in Italy, Greece, America and Tartarus. The main character’s names in the book/series are: Hazel, Leo, Percy, Annebeth, Frank, Jason and Piper. In the book, seven demigods take a journey to Athens, Greece to fight/send back to Tartarus/kill giants (the sons and daughters of Gaea, the earth goddess who was the first goddess to live that is evil) to stop them from waking Gaea. The giants needed two demigods blood spilled on the Parthenon (which is where Poseidon, the Greek god of water and hurricanes and Athena, the Greek god of wisdom and weaving, did something to declare who Athens would be named after and Athena won) to waken Gaea. Before the demigods get to Athens, Greece, they make a few stops they might need. But they don’t just get together and try to save the world, there’s a whole story to it.

One of the most interesting characters is Annebeth. She’s smart. I mean, she’s a daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Of course she’s smart. She’s strategic. When you’re smart, you’re also strategic. She once broke her leg and she didn’t have a boot or anything like that. She had to make a boot made out of a piece of wood and bubble wrap and she had to use sticks for crutches. She’s brave. She fell into Tartarus (a pit where Greek and Roman monsters come back to life. Tartarus was also the first god to live) and didn’t even have a heart attack.

The demigods didn’t just have to stop Gaea from waking. They had to do much much more than that. They had to bring a statue to Camp Halfblood (a sleep away camp where Greek demigods stay to be protected from monsters) and set it on Halfblood Hill to stop a war between Greek demigods and Roman demigods. One of the most interesting parts of the book is that the seven demigods had to get a cure that can heal you from death. You can not come back to the human world death. You stay dead. Another interesting part of the book was that Leo could make killer robots try to kill themselves. It’s called idiot mode. Another interesting thing that happened in the book was that the giants didn’t spill Annebeth and Percy’s blood on the Parthenon right away. That’s interesting because the giants want to be the rulers of the world. The only way they can do that is with Gaea.

This book is probably one of my favorite books out of the many books I’ve read. You will literally fall in love with this book (which I did). If you like the Percy Jackson series, you will love this book. There are relationships, like relationships in the Percy Jackson series (which I mean girlfriend- boyfriend relationships). It has similar writing, and it’s a mix between Greek mythology and Roman. It has everything. It’s action packed and fantasy (just like Percy Jackson). One of my favorite parts of the book was when Leo tricked nymphs into thinking Leo was more handsome than Narcissus (who is crazily handsome). In case you don’t know, a nymph is a nature spirit. I liked that part because tricking nymphs into thinking you’re hotter than the hottest person in the world is pretty darn hilarious! Imagine looking at the poor guy’s face. It was probably red with envy. I rate this book five stars. That’s why I want you to read this book.

Feb
16
2017

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling

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I read Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling, it is the sixth book out of seven books in the Harry Potter series. It takes place in Harry’s 6th year, he is 16. It is mostly about Harry Potter’s time at Hogwarts and what is going on outside of Hogwarts in the wizarding world. The main characters are Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. Harry is talked about the most. Some other characters mention a lot in the book are Ginny Weasley, Albus Dumbledore, and Draco Malfoy. Harry is facing a huge problem, Lord Voldemort. He is trying to kill Harry and has been since Harry was baby. Harry is also trying to find out why Malfoy keeps wandering off. Harry is trying to find out what he is up to because he thinks Malfoy is a Death Eater and is up to no good. Lots of exciting and sad things happen in Harry’s 6th year.

Harry is brave, curious, kind and resilient. Harry is resilient because he has fought against Malfoy before and won. Harry is curious because he wants to find out what Malfoy is up to. Harry is brave because he went to destroy a horcrux with Dumbledore and doing that is super dangerous. Harry is kind because when he used the potion book that had all the tips he shared it with Ron.

One interesting part of the book is when Dumbledore lets Harry come with him to destroy one of Voldemort’s horcruxes. That is interesting because it is very dangerous and difficult to destroy a horcrux. Another interesting part of the book is how he reacted to Ginny going out with Dean. Harry got very mad inside when he first found out because he secretly likes Ginny and wants to go out with her. That is interesting because he is usually a very kind person and doesn’t feel that toward a friend.

I enjoyed reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince because it’s funny, especially when Mrs. Weasley gets mad at Ron all the time. I also like it because it’s a little scary especially when Harry and Dumbledore go to get a horcrux and the Inferi attack them. I would definitely recommend it because it is very exciting and funny. Also if you like magic and fantasy it’s full of it! There is a movie for this book and I think it got Harry’s personality correct. It also gets most of the details mostly the big ones, but it does leave out a few major details. Another movie that is like Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It is like Harry Potter because it has lots of magic and Newt Scamander wrote a book they use at Hogwarts. I would rate this book a 4 and a half – I loved it a lot. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is definitely a great book.   

 

Feb
16
2017

Switch, by Ingrid Law

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Switch is a companion to the Newbery Honor Winner SAVVY. The book is about a girl named Gypsy and her magical family. The morning of Gypsy’s 13th birthday Gypsy wakes up with blurry vision and keeps seeing visions of the future and past. Before Gypsy figures out her powers her parents announce that her Grandma Pat is going to move in with them. A little later into the book there was a blizzard. Gypsy has to save her family from a vision she had and learn how to control her powers before it’s too late.

Gypsy Beaumont is caring, different, and child like. She is caring in a interesting way because she tries to stop them from doing the stuff in her visions but it just makes them worse. She is different because she has magical powers and because and everyone is different in their own way. She is childlike because she loves glitter and kiddish stuff and because she acts like a little kid.

One of the most interesting parts in the book is when Gypsy wakes up to blurry vision and seeing flashes of the future and past because that is not something that’s going to happen everyday. Another interesting part in the book is when Gypsy’s grandma Pat moves in with them because once she moves in a blizzard comes and they can’t leave the house.

I did enjoy this book. I like this book because it’s a magical book and I like magic. I would recommend this book if you like Winter and magical books about their family. I would also recommend this book because Gypsy is a great character and I really enjoy reading about her and her family. This book is unique because I have not heard of a movie or a book where there’s a girl who has to save their family from a vision she has while there’s a blizzard going on. I rate this book three and a half stars because I didn’t love this book but I didn’t hate it.

Feb
16
2017

Holes by, Louis Sachar

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This book is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats. He was accused of  stealing shoes. He went to court and the judge said to Stanley, “You can go to jail or Camp Green Lake,” and Stanley chose Camp Green Lake which is in Texas. Camp Green Lake is a place where bad children stay to learn how to be civilized people. While Stanley is at the camp, he has a lot of work and punishment. At camp they had to dig one hole a day. I really liked this book. This book is a long read and you get a lot out of it.

Stanley is a sensitive and kind person. He helps others and treats them nicely. He is nice and helpful because he helped someone read and write at Camp Green Lake. He is not like one of those bad kids. He is the only kid at camp who writes to his mother. I think he is the only one who writes to his mom because he is sensitive.

I found it the most interesting when Stanley and his friend Zero find something special. I think it is interesting because they are so shocked and happy. Also when Stanley and Zero get in trouble it is interesting because it is action packed because they go on an adventure.

The book keeps you wanting to read. I think it was my favorite book I ever read. There is no book like it and it is amazing. The book is fun and exciting. The book tells you the “hole” story of how Stanley got there. There is also a movie! My rating of the the book is  5 stars. Read it!

 

 

 

 

Feb
16
2017

Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer

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The title of the book is called Artemis Fowl. The author’s name is Eoin Colfer. This book is from a series called Artemis Fowl which takes place in the present in Ho Chi Minh City.  Artemis Fowl is a kid who is a thief. He is only 12 years old. He is trying to get all the money that his family lost. In this book Artemis is trying to find a book that would get him lots of money. The book can unlock fairy secrets and expose all of the fairies’ money. He had to blackmail a witch to get the book. The fairies tried to stop Artemis from getting their money especially Holly Short a Lep-recon officer

Artemis Fowl is sly, cold, determined, and smart. He is sly because he stole a lot of money by tricking fairies and got away with it. He is cold because he captured a fairy and didn’t regret it. Artemis Fowl is determined  because  he  wants to restore his family’s fortune and become the most powerful family in the world.  He is smart because when the fairies attempted to kill him he made it out alive.

One of the most interesting  parts  in the book is when Artemis’s mom didn’t recognize him. I thought this was important because I could almost feel Artemis’s sadness and anger because his mom didn’t  know who he was. One thing I was excited about was when Artemis’s mom got better. But this is bittersweet. It’s bitter because Artemis won’t have anymore Adventures because his mom will be paying attention (he still will). It’s sweet because his mom is healthy and strong and  is going to give Artemis a better childhood.

I loved Artemis Fowl  because the book is action packed, and I love books with action. This book also has trolls and goblins and other creatures, and the way the creatures interact with each other is more interesting to me than people interacting. I would recommend this book to people who like fast paced fantasy fiction. This book is also good for people who like chapter books with easy to read font. It reminded me of many of Rick Riordan’s books like Percy Jackson and the  Kane Chronicles because each book has different creatures and many adventures. It also reminded me of James Bond because he and Fowl like to be sneaky and have lots of gadgets. I would give this book 4 stars out of 5. I would recommend this book to kids aged 7 and up.     

Feb
16
2017

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (retold by Chris Tail)

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Treasure Island is by Robert Louis Stevenson and retold by Chris Tail. Treasure Island takes place around the 1880s. The setting is at sea and on two islands, Bone Island and Treasure Island. The main character is named Jim Hawkins. The story is Jim trying to get to Treasure Island, and how the crew and one captain named Long John Silver are kind of bad. It also is about living the life of a pirate.

In Treasure Island Jim is a brave, determined, and smart 9 year old boy. He was brave because he dared to journey across the sea from his home town. Jim was a determined boy because he was intrigued by Treasure Island and wanted to avenge a captain. He was a very smart because he used a map to find Treasure Island and its coordinates.

Meeting Long John Silver was an important part because it made getting to Treasure Island really difficult. Long John Silver was the only thing stopping them from finding Treasure Island because he was greedy. Bone Island was an important event because that is when they were able to find the exact location of where Treasure Island was (at first they only knew where the area was) and they got rid of Long John Silver by leaving him on a Island. These events were interesting because when you first meet Long John Silver all you hear is he’s mean but later Jim experiences it and knows how mean he actually is. He is the description of mean.

Treasure Island was a very good book because on Bone Island Jim wandered into the forest and found and listened to important information, it was very interesting and super intense which I liked. Treasure Island was also a good book because Jim gets tortured and he also got some experience with fighting. I recommend Treasure Island because when you read it gives you the tiniest details which makes everything better. This book reminds me of the starting of Spongebob Squarepants when the pirate is there. It reminded me of the starting of Spongebob Squarepants because at the beginning there is a pirate and throughout Treasure Island there were pirates. I’ll give it a 5 star rating.