Book Review: Loser

Loser

By: Jerry Spinelli

Book review by: Anette

Donald Zinkoff is your usual klutz. He yells YAHOO and wears a giraffe hat to school. That's how it is for him and every one when they are little. But then they grow up. They see things that were there before, but they really notice them. The whisper about his giraffe hat and the purple birthmark he has. Then comes field day. The 4th grade classrooms are divided up into 4 groups. Zinkoff is put into a group with the grades biggest jock. They are winning all the races, until it is Zinkoff's turn. Suddenly Zinkoff is not called Zinkoff anymore. He is called Loser.

This book was ok, and the moments were very stretched out, as in any Jerry Spinelli book. I think Donald Zinkoff is a lovable character who isn't perfect, at all. He makes friends with the weirdest people, the old lady in the mint green dress, and Claudia, the little girl on the child leash, and Hector Binns, who makes ear wax candles with his own ear wax. I think Donald Zinkoff lives in his own little world, and he is practically invincible to words and pain. He keeps on pulling through.

Book Review: Monstrous

Monstrous

By: MarcyKate Connolly

Book review by: Anette

Meet Kymera, a girl whose mother has been killed and whose father brought her back to life. Except she now has things she didn't have before. Like a tail with a poisonous barb, and wings, and eyes that turn from cat's eyes to normal blue ones. But Kymera is not evil. Her father teaches her in the ways of the world, cares for her, and teaches her how to use use her tail and wings. Then her father tells her that she must venture into the city of Byre, and kidnap the girls that are falling sick to illness, so that he can heal them.

My favorite characters are Ren, and Kymera. Ren is a boy that Kymera meets when she is in the city. He always gives her a perfect rose whenever they meet. He always smells of cinnamon and does not know of Kymera's other things, her tail , wing and cats eyes. And I also like Kymera's dog, which is half sparrow and half regular dog. She is very perky and flies everywhere around the house.

Book Review: Anton and Cecil

Anton and Cecil, Cats at Sea

By: Lisa and Valerie Martin

Book review By: Anette

Anton and Cecil are brothers, different as night and day, but still very close. Anton is sleek, with gray fur, and not very adventurous, a planner. Cecil is beefy, with puffy black fur and a spot of white on his chest. He is very adventurous, and does not think ahead.But when Anton gets impressed, which is when cats are kidnapped and put onto ships as mousers, Cecil gets the news to late. Will Cecil ever see his brother again?

I like Anton the best, because he is timid, and likes to listen to the songs that are sung in the saloon, and is very handsome. All the sailors the brother cats meet on their journey are either nice, ok, or mean. Let's hope that most of the sailors they meet are in the ok to nice category. I really like their port town, it seems very nice, like something in the movies. Except I don't like when Anton gets impressed!! It's so sad! I hope you read this book!

Book Review: Time of the Fireflies

Time of the Fireflies

By : Kimberly Little

Book review By: Anette

Time of the fireflies is a good mystery action book that I loved! Meet Larissa, a girl that lives in an antique shop, with her loving Father and Mother, and all the antiques in the shop. But one thing isn't normal. Her scar. She got it when she fell of the dock into the bayou. But now other things aren't right. Like the doll. And the fireflies. And the small voice in the disconnected telephone. None of this is normal. Her life isn't normal. But will Larissa be able to set things straight?

I like this book a whole lot. I feel that you should read it even if the first paragraph isn't very clear. My favorite character is the fireflies, who guide Larissa over the broken bridge and to her  ancestors old house. I really like. The plot of this story, who knew that a plot could have so many twists and turns!! I think it gets kinda creepy around the middle, but it's still a really good book and I recommend it!

Book Review: Matilda

Matilda

By: Ronald Dahl

Book Review by: Anette

Matilda is a bright young girl, with a Ok brother and horrible parents. They treat her like scum, think the Telly (TV) is more important than books, (EGAD HOW HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!) and don't even bother to cook. But one day Matilda discovers the library, a wonderful place where she can read all she wants to. After a while her parents get it into their thick skulls to actually send their daughter to school. There she meets THE TRUNCHBULL.Will she survive? or will the chokey get her?

I really like Matilda, although my favorite character is the THE TRUNCHBULL. I like how she is very strong,and not timid or shy like in other books. But exactly the opposite. She does what she wants and no one dares to stop her, even the grownups. She tortures her pupils ENDLESSLY and is very cruel. I hope no one ever in this whole wide world is ever like her. In fact I hope we are all the opposite.

Book Review: Dead End in Norvelt

Dead end in Norvelt

By: Jack Gantos

Book review by Anette

Meet Jack Gantos, a kid with a nose problem. Whenever he lies or gets scared or over excited, his nose starts bleeding like crazy. But let's get past that. One day he accidentally fired his dad's japanese rifle and lo and behold, the longest grounding has begun. Jack is now grounded for THE WHOLE SUMMER. Until Miss Volker asks him for help with writing obituaries. Old ladies start dropping like flies except for one singular person..............

I really liked this book. It has some very, let's say,  descriptive, words, especially when someone dies. My favorite character is Jack, because he cares about things that other people don't care about. I like his friend Bunny, because she is so short, and can run under her dining room table full speed. And not get hurt.  But I find it scary when Jacks nose starts to bleed, its just weird. I would give this book 4 1/2 stars.

100 Word Challenge: Anette

I am trapped. I don’t know why. All I remember is the glass in the car shattering and the scream of my parents. Suddenly I realize I am under water, and a hand  is grabbing for me. The big warm hand grabs on to my hair and yanks. Hard. I wince because if I scream I will surely get a mouthful of water. My dad pulls me out of the water, and I see we are on a ledge. Mom starts screaming because then I realize we are stuck. I scream too. louder and louder. As loud as I can.

Book Review: Chasing Vermeer

Chasing Vermeer

By : Blue Ballet

Book review by: Anette

I really like this book. I would give it about 3 and a half stars, and I would say it is for those observant people who notice things. Chasing Vermeer is about two kids, Petra and Calder. They become friends, and soon they find out the "A lady writing", a famous painting, has been stolen. The thief sends out letters to the media, and soon everyone is trying to recover the painting. Will Petra and Calder find the missing piece, or will it be lost forever?

My favorite part about this book is when they say that they will eat a blue peanuts M&M for every time something weird happens. I would say this book would classify has a page turner, and I really like how the Illustrator ( Brett Helquist ) hides tiny surprises in his art. You really just need to know where to look!! This book is also liked by Mrs. Barnes, and I think you readers should read it too!!!