Book Review: Evil Spy School

Evil Spy School Book Review By: Emma Raine

Evil Spy School is the third book to the spy school series, so it is by Stuart Gibbs. Honestly, I think it is the best spy school book out of the bunch by far. So it is of course about Ben. During the spy school finals/ fake battlefield, he is on the same team as Erica Hale, his friend who is also the best spy-in-training out of the whole school. They are also on the same team as Warren and Zoe. Warren and Zoe are (trying) to operate the paintball mortar, (I forgot to say so but it is only a stimulated warfare where all the students have only paintball guns) but they cannot figure it out so they ask for Erica and Ben’s assistance. It is a critical part of their team's attack so they abandon their posts and go help. Erica and Ben go there and operate it but what appears to be a paintball mortar shell is a LIVE mortar shell and Erica realizes this after Warren lights it and then Ben aims it away from the students but unfortunately at the principal’s office.

The office explodes and the principal is furious but Ben is the one who takes the fall. The principal who is very close minded and cares only about himself NOT his students expelled Ben on the spot. Then SPYDER invites Ben to join their school, hence the book’s name Evil Spy School, and from then the story unfolds. I love mystery/spy/Stuart Gibb books don’t you?

Book Review: Space Case

Space Case Book Review By: Emma

Space Case is a very good book. It is by Stuart Gibbs so of course it is really good. I expected for it to be really good but honestly, it was way better than I expected. It is about a boy named Dashiell. His parents are scientists who work for NASA. The story is in the future (The book doesn’t say how far ahead but I suspect about half a century), and he lives in MBA, Moon Base Alpha. It is as the name suggests, on the moon. It is the first long time settlement on the moon. Dashiell’s parents both have very specialized skill sets involving the moon so they are ideal for MBA, so the government plays them with lunches with the vice-president and such. They say it will be amazing, but when they actually get to MBA it is awful.

The base is actually really small and the food is terrible, the beds are uncomfortable, they don’t have real furniture and all sorts of other inconveniences. Dashiell has to stay on the moon for 3 years. It is also very boring and all residents have to send a video down to earth and are not allowed to say anything negative about MBA. But then Dr. Holtz a nice, likable scientist goes on a moon walk alone which is against the rules, and he didn’t put his space suit on right. The air leaks and he dies. Everyone says it is a “tragic accident” but Dashiell isn’t so sure. I love Stuart Gibbs books do you?

Book Review: Number the Stars

Number the Stars Book 

Review By: Emma Raine

This book is by Lois Lowry and it is so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, good.

It is about two girls Annemarie, and Ellen. The story takes place in 1943. They live in Holland during the Holocaust and Ellen and her family are Jewish. Annemarie and Ellen are best friends, as a matter of fact both of their families are very close. Ellen is an only child and lives with her mom and dad, Annemarie has a little sister Kiristi and they live with both parents. One day Annemarie and Ellen are walking from school with Kirsti home (They all live in the same apartment building) and there are two german soldiers at the corner and after they pass by them they rush home. The parents know of what has been happening elsewhere and knows the Holocaust has come to Holland.

Number the stars is about how everyone involved in the Holocaust, Jewish or not had to adapt and persevere through it even when it was tough and their lives were in danger. It is also about how you always help your close friends and family through hard times and come together and unite. I think historical fiction is a great genre do you?

Book Review: Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate Book Review By: Emma

This book is really good and it is historical fiction, which is one of my favorite genres. It is written by Jacqueline Kelly. I think most everyone will love this book, because it is just so clever. It really seems like 100 years ago (A century) it was a different planet. It is about a girl named Calpurnia Tate (As the title suggests) who lives in a small Texas town called Fentress. Calpurnia lives in a very large family with 6 brothers, but no sisters :(, her parents and her grandpa all live in one house. Calpurnia’s grandfather is a scientist and a naturalist but everyone in her family (Parents included) is intimidated/scared of him until Calpurnia asks him a question and from there, their relationship unfolds. Calpurnia spends her days with her grandfather following animal tracks and observing plants.

She learns so many new things, from physics to how to tell plant species apart. Her grandfather turns out to be a wonderful person and a genius scientist. This book is funny and wonderful and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good read! The book takes a startling twist along with a huge discovery. I love historical fiction books do you?