Category Archives: 2014-2015

Jan
29
2015

The Elf of Union Square by Jan Carr

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I read The Elf of Union Square by Jan Carr. From the title you can figure out that the main character is a elf and that the book takes place in Union Square. The elf’s name is Hiram and he has lived in Union Square Park for awhile. Hiram doesn’t like it that people are happy in the newly cleaned-up park so he has rigged Union Square with all sorts of boobytraps such as soap on the monkey bars and doo-doo in the walkways. A 10-year-old boy named Jack thinks something is going on in the park and decides to figure out what the deal is. He gets help from a reporter from The New York Times named Will. Hiram has a diabolical plan to get everyone in Union Square to fight and to yell at each other. He gets help with his plan from lots of rats who live in the park. Hiram’s main helper is a rat named Knut. Knut is especially good at soaping because he runs fast.

An important part in the book involves Hiram’s hat. It is important because the hobo named Lincoln (he’s called that because he thinks he is Abraham Lincoln) says that he’s seen Hiram before. To stop Lincoln from telling everyone more about him, Hiram puts a piece of soap in Lincoln’s pocket to frame him. A policewoman asks Lincoln to empty his pockets and when Lincoln does he finds the soap he didn’t know he had. Lincoln gets arrested. Hiram is mean spirited because he just wants people to fight and yell at each other. Hiram hides in a restaurant called Fare in the Square where all the kids hang out and he floods all the toilets with toilet paper when the kids are in the bathroom. The restaurant manager hates this and throws everyone out. Hiram is also very grumpy. He never listens to anybody. When Knut asks Hiram where he was born, Hiram cuts him off. But Hiram also develops a soft side in working with Knut. When Hiram figures out that there is rat poison in the park, he realizes that rats are dying so he runs to find Knut to make sure he is safe. Hiram is clever because he’s been putting boobytraps for years at Union Square Park and has never been caught.

I liked this book because it was funny and dumb. It was funny because who doesn’t want to read about people stepping in dog doo-doo? That part was pretty dumb , too. It’s also dumb because you don’t think of elves being friends with rats (and you don’t think of them talking, either). I would recommend this book to people who like humor and fictional characters. Also, people who like history might enjoy this book because it talks about Union Square from a long time ago. I think it’s similar to a TV show on the Disney Channel because it’s funny but not inappropriate. Otherwise, it would relate to Cartoon Network. I would rate this book 3 stars because it wasn’t my absolute favorite or even close to being one of my favorites.

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Jan
29
2015

The Terrible Two by Jory John and Mac Barnett

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The book I read is called The Terrible Two by Jory John and Mac Barnett.

The two main characters are Miles and Niles. The book is mainly about a kid named Miles who was a huge prankster at his old school but has to move to a new school in a very monotonous place called Yawnee Valley. Another bad part about Yawnee valley is that the school Miles is gonna go to already has a prankster and a really good one. The most exciting thing there is cows. They have a lot of cows!

The setting takes place in Miles’s school sometime around the time we’re living in.

One part that I really liked was the time when Miles and Niles formed an alliance after being prankster enemies. They would make huge pranks at each other but then they came together to make even bigger pranks but on other people. I would say that my favorite part was when Miles and Niles made the biggest prank in the history of pranks. That prank was to take all the cows in Yawnee valley and put them into the school. The Principal’s name is Principal Barkin and he is so mean. He has never canceled school ever and got so mad when he found out what happened to the school. But the prank was so good that he had to close school for the first time ever in Yawnee valley. Another hysterical part was when Niles tried to pie Miles when he opened his locker. The problem was Miles read his mind and switched with a different kid who hated pie. And he loved the pie and that is why it was so funny. An adjective I would use to describe Miles is creative. Creative because he thinks of the craziest pranks. For example he could be right behind you right changing your hair gel with glue. Another adjective I would use to describe him is independent. Independent because he does his pranks alone until of course him and Niles team up. The third adjective I would use to describe him is impressive. Impressive because he is a kid and thinks of these genius pranks and trust me it’s hard to make a really good prank like him.

I definitely recommend this book. It’s hilarious and gives you amazing ideas if you want to prank someone. This book is a little like the movie Home Alone because the ludicrous pranks.

I would give this book four stars which means I really liked it.

 

Jan
29
2015

Lawless by Jeffrey Salane

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The book I read was called Lawless by Jeffrey Salane. The main character is called M Freeman (just M, not a nickname). The book is mainly about this ordinary girl called M. But is she really ordinary? When M was young her father mysteriously died from a plane accident. In the beginning M thinks her mother and father are just art historians but soon she realizes they are master criminals. All her life she’s been home schooled and that all leads up to her being a master criminal herself. She gets into the hidden school Lawless and goes through challenges such as making friends, finding more about herself and parents, and battling through tests and obstacles. On the way to becoming a Master she soon steals a pair famous paintings by Rembrandt, which soon goes wrong. This book takes place in present time, and is in many countries but the one I like the most is in Germany.

 

One of the most interesting parts was when Cal ,one of M’s friends,was on ice and falls into the water. Without thinking M dives after Cal and faints because she didn’t have enough air. I thought it was interesting because it showed friendship between M and Cal and it showed heroic bravery. Another time I found amusing was when M went into the Box (a room that simulates a challenging scenario). Jules (another one of M’s friends) saves her from her fear of heights since she was on a plane in the Box. I thought it was interesting because it displayed that Jules monstrous cared about M, and that she didn’t want M to get hurt. Ms. Watts is cold blooded, mean, and clever. A fascinating character, Ms. Watts is cold blooded because she let her son (Cal) die in cold water and only cared about the painting that fell with him. Ms. Watts is first-class mean because she trapped M and her friends in the dark, tied to a breaking chair. Also Ms.Watts is wickedly clever because she fooled M in leading her to chaos.

 

I enjoyed this book because it was suspenseful and was very mysterious. I also liked it because of the moral fiber in each character. I would recommend this book to fourth graders because it is very adventurous and I know fourth graders like dauntless writing. Also  is very enjoyable, and if you like suspenseful books, you’d like this one.  I think this book may be like the Harry Potter series because those books are very suspenseful. I would give this book 5 stars*****.

 

Jan
29
2015

El Deafo by Cece Bell

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I read the book El Deafo by Cece Bell. The main character is Cece. This book is about Cece being a child and being deaf. She goes through school and find new friends now that she is deaf. Cece moved from the city to the country, and she has no friends. The setting of the book is mainly school and home.

Three adjectives to describe Cece would be imaginative because she made up the super hero character El Deafo and she pretends she is El Deafo. She would be observant because she needs to lip read to understand people when they talk. So that means she needs to pay attention more than an average person. One more adjective would be insecure. She is only insecure sometimes when she has to go out. She is insecure sometimes because she doesn’t like people seeing her cords for her hearing aids and her box for the hearing aids. I found it interesting when Cece met her first friend. At least she thought it was her friend! I liked it because there were so many things that could happen with friends, especially if you are friends with deaf people. I also liked it when she was pretending to be El Deafo in her mind. I liked it because she related her life to her stories and as the super hero she fixed all her problems.

I enjoyed this book because I like books about friendship and this book is all about friendship. I also like this book because I liked how she took her life experiences and turned it into a fantastic story! I think this book is like the book Sisters by Raina Telgemeier. I think this because they are both memoirs turned into graphic novels. I would recommend this book. I would recommend it to people who liked Sisters and Smile. I would give this book 5 stars! *****

 

Jan
29
2015

The Wainscott Weasel by Tor Seidler and Illustrated by Fred Marcellino

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The title of the book I’m writing about is The Wainscott Weasel by Tor Seidler and Illustrated by Fred Marcellino. The main character’s name is Bagley Brown. The book is mainly about  Bagley in love with a fish name Bridget. And every day Bagley would go to the pond where she lives and give dead bugs to her. Also, Bagley had a father but he was swooped up from the ground from a hawk. Then that same night Bagley’s mom fainted because she was so sad she couldn’t believe what happened so she died.

Bagley’s friend gets married and Zeke the man who’s getting engaged  asks Bagley to be his best weasel (best man). Bagley tries to get rid of the ospreys nest next to the pond so bridget won’t get eaten by it, because Bagley has feeling for her. The setting in the book is in several places such as the pond and the pine needles. The setting is at the pond because Bagley gives Bridget the dead bugs. Also it takes place on the pine needles because Wendy the girl who is getting married to Zeke dance there with  other weasels. The way they have music when they dance  is by the birds that chirp for them. A part in this book that is interesting to me would be when Bagley goes to the pond and sees this fish jumping in the air and into the water. I liked this part because Bagley falls in love with the fish and weasels are supposed to eat fish. The fish finally talks to him and tells him her name. Another part in the book that is interesting to me would be when Bagley climbs up to the telephone pole where the ospreys nest is and tries to get it down, and has lots of attempts. Three adjectives I would describe Bagley would be strong, nice, and caring. He’s strong because Zeke’s brothers were trying to get the invitation Bagley had. The way Zeke tried to get the invitation, he chose to beat Bagley up, so Bagley would give Zeke the invitation .Bagley is nice because he just gave the invitation that Zeke wanted so badly. Also Bagley is caring because he climbed up a telephone pole in the middle of the day to move the ospreys nest so Bridget the fish won’t get eaten.

 

I loved this book because it has animals in it, also I like weasels a lot. I also loved the book because it has love in it and caring for each other. Also I liked the style the author wrote the book because it was fun. Because  the author would use cliffhangers and you wouldn’t know what is going to happen and I love that feeling. I would recommend this book because it has lots of example of friendship and relying on each other. Also the book  has animals such as weasels ,frogs, and birds. The book reminds me of this movie called Milo and Otis because it has friendship and relying and finding each other and it’s like this book. A rating I would give this book would be 1,000 stars because I absolutely loved the book.

 

Jan
29
2015

El Deafo by Cece Bell

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41f26kt7UDL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_My book is El Deafo by Cece Bell. The main character is a girl named Cece. The book is mainly about Cece becoming deaf, then she starts going to school and in her mind she think of herself as a superhero named El Deafo. The settings are the school, Cece’s house, Mike Miller’s house, Laura’s house, Ginny’s house, Martha’s house, the Hospital, and the Gym.

One part of the book that I thought was interesting was when Cece cuts her eye and her friend Martha thinks it was her fault. I think it is interesting that the author’s name is Cece and the main character’s name is Cece too. Another part of the book that I thought was interesting was when you find out that Cece has a big crush on Mike Miller. One part of the book that I thought was important was when Cece becomes deaf. She gets a disease and one of the side effects of the disease is becoming deaf. I would describe Cece as imaginative. I think this because she thinks of herself as a superhero. I would also describe her as nice. I think this because she let everyone hold her new curly pencil but sadly one of the people who was holding it broke it. I would also describe her as fun. I think this because she would always bounce on Mike Miller’s trampoline with her friend Martha.

I enjoyed this book because it is a graphic novel. I like graphic novels because they have a ton of pictures. I like the pictures in this book because they are very detailed, colorful, and cartoonish. I also enjoyed this book because it isn’t one of those short graphic novels that you finish in a day, it is one that takes about a week or less. I would recommend this book to others because it is funny. I would also recommend this book to others because it isn’t too long, or too short. I do not think this book relates to any other books or TV shows that I know of. I give this book 5 stars because it was a very good book.

Jan
28
2015

Lost! A Dog Called Bear By Wendy Orr

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Screen Shot 2015-01-05 at 12.19.19 PMI read a book called Lost! A Dog Called Bear by Wendy Orr. This book is not in a series (at least I don’t think it is). The main characters names are Logen, Bear and Hannah. The book is mainly about a kid who lost a dog named Bear. The setting of the book is on a farm and in a town. I think the time is around the present because it doesn’t seem like the past or the future.

I thought it was interesting that the author put the things that the characters liked so you get to know them. Ex: what Bear liked most more than anything in the word is Logen. I also thought it was interesting that there are different point of views for each character. Like when the author put dog prints when changing the point of views. Hannah is hopeful. Like when she said “I hope your family comes soon.” Hannah has courage like when she said “Can we go there?“ Every time they passed Rainbow Street Shelter. Hannah loves dogs. Like when the book said what Hannah liked more than anything was a dog.

I liked this book because it’s exciting that a dog gets lost. I also liked this book because I like animals. I would recommend this book to people that like animals because it is about a dog. I would also recommend this book to people that like happy endings. I think this book is like 8 below, the movie because there is a boy or man that lost a dog or dogs then finds them. I give this book five stars.

Jan
14
2015

Big Nate Goes For Broke, Lincoln Peirce

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51JKBRNUFsL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_Nate is a normal kid. Well not normal, he knows, unlike most people, he was born to be great. People just don’t know it yet. He invented the greatest club at school, The Doodlers. They draw cartoons and play games! And let’s face it, it really is the best club. I mean, in PS.38, there are clubs like the Knit Pickers, and really, who wants to spend the day knitting? There’s also the Wizards and Witches, who pretend that they have magic powers.   And then there are the Problem Solvers – who wants to spend spare time doing math?  And The Spotlight Club, they sing EVERYTHING with the hopes of being  “discovered.”  Also, there is the School “Beautification” Society, which is exactly what it sounds like.

Jefferson, let’s just say, arch enemy of PS.38. Dee Dee is a really really good drawer. Francis, one of Nate’s best friends, says we should ask her to join the doodlers. Dee Dee is way too dramatic. Take the most dramatic person you know multiply that by 10,000 and you have Dee Dee. Nate says he’s not asking Dee Dee to join the club. Francis just leaves. Teddy’s Nate’s other friend. So they shoot for it. Nate choose evens, so Teddy has odds. One, two, three, shoot! Aw, man! Teddy won! Great, now Nate has to ask Dee Dee.  Nate goes over to ask Dee Dee,  “ I saw that poster you made for the dance, and I thought you might maybe want to…um…”

“ Oh!” she says “ I’d love to go to the dance with you!” Oh no. When they go to the dance there’s a problem in the sprinklers so school is postponed. But this bad. School will still be going on, but at Jefferson.

Seriously! Someone had to pick our School’s enemy! The most inspiring, wonderful, fantastic, great kid, has to go to the worst school! Life there is not the best. Nolan the bully of Jefferson, thinks he’s the best at everything. But not for long. Light bulb! Nate had the most brilliant, bedazzling, radiant, splendid Idea! He would make a new contest, not: football, basketball, soccer, baseball and other things but, the Ultimate Snowdown.

These books cracked me up! It’s about a kid who always gets detention and bad grades and knows he’s born to be great. This book take place in Nate’s school, PS. 38. He’s a sixth grader who loves to have fun! Join Nate in an adventure through embarrassing and exciting moments! It’s a really funny series! I would recommend it to people who read, Sisters, Smile, Diary Of a Wimpy Kid and the Baby Sitters Club also if you like books with comics and humor. I would rate the whole series 5 *’s   it’s a book that you can’t stop reading. I hope you read it. And if you don’t, you’re missing out on a lot!

 

Jan
14
2015

The Secret of Eastcliff by the Sea

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Throckmorton is no normal sock monkey. The Secret of Eastcliff by the Sea is by Eileen Beha. The main characters are Analisa and her sock monkey Throckmorton. Analisa lives with her Dad Judge Easterling, her brother Teddy, her brother Evan, the baby sitter Miss Pine, the maid Marge, the cook Miss Wiggins, and her Great Dane Donald. The problem is that Analisa’s mother, Olivia ran away awhile ago when she was two.  Also Analisa is very sick. My book is set fifty years ago. Eastcliff is near the sea in Connecticut.

 

I think Throckmorton is caring because he listens when Analisa is sad. For example, when Analisa was crying because her mother was gone, Throckmorton was sad for her. He cared for her so much that he brought her mother back to her. I think Throckmorton is nice because he is kind to people who he does not like. For example, he smiled at Analisa’s three cousins even though he did not like them. I think Throckmorton is sad because Olivia (Analisa’s mother) had gone away. For example, when he talked about her he sounded sad. I love the part when Analisa and her family go to Great Grandma’s birthday party because they find Olivia. I also found the part interesting when Teddy and Evan (Analisa’s brothers) and Analisa go up to the attic and search for the missing two sock monkeys, Miss Beatrice and Sir Rudyard. That was the part where they find the secret room where Olivia hid the sock monkeys and her things. I think Analisa’s Grandmother knew where Olivia was living but did not tell anybody. Analisa made a big decision about telling Teddy her Grandma’s secret.

 

I really enjoyed this book because the author is very descriptive. I would recommend this book to people who like friendship and adventure. When I was little I thought that my stuffed bunny was alive. Throckmorton is alive. I give this book FIVE STARS! 🙂

 

Jan
14
2015

The Strange Case Of Origami Yoda

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I read The Strange Case Of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger it is part of a series called the origami Yoda series. it is about this boy named Tommy who makes a file with everyones stories, about this very odd person named Dwight, who makes this origami Yoda that might tell the future but nobody knows if it really does. The main problem is that everyone tries to figure out if yoda is real but its really hard to figure out. The setting of the book is at school.

 

 

The main character (Tommy) is very curious, smart, and nice.  He is curious because he really wants to know is Yoda REAL or NOT. He is smart because he finds clues that Yoda might be real. He is nice because he listens to what other people say about if they think Yoda is real and doesn’t just say, “You’re wrong! I think yoda is  real.” The most interesting parts of the story are that Tommy and his friends go to this thing called Fun Night. Fun Night is not fun for them even though its called FUN night. Another interesting part of my book is that Tommy thinks origami Yoda is real because Dwight is so dumb, but Yoda is so smart, so dwight can’t be pretending to be Yoda. I think that that part is interesting because it so weird that Yoda is so smart but Dwight is so dumb and strange and odd. When I read that part of the book, it made me feel like I just had to read more. One event that changed the story is when almost everyone thought Yoda was real.

 

 

I really enjoyed this book because it is funny, and it’s not that hard to read and the words are not small but not big. If you are someone who likes funny, strange, weird, odd books, READ THIS ONE. I recommend this book because I think you will enjoy the book. It is one of my favorite books, and I think it will be one of your favorite books too if you read it. This book is not like any other books I have read, it is so weird and crazy. I rate this book 1 MILLION STARS!!!!!!!!  ************* …yoda_cover

 

By Ava