Posted on by Wendy

OzzyReed is moved by the numerous voices and lessons learned in “Because of Mr. Terupt.”

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Title: Because of Mr. Terupt

Author: Rob Buyea

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating: 4 Stars

Because Of Mr. Terupt is one of the most touching books I’ve ever read. This story moved me because it’s about how tragedy brings people together.

Mr. Terupt, a thoughtful, caring teacher, designs a fun classroom for his fifth graders. His students are the classic school kids: the class troublemaker, the shy kid, the smart kid who loves school, the depressed outcast, the popular girl, the followers of the popular girl, the fat kid that gets picked on, and the new kid.

I like the writing style of the book because each chapter describes the same events from the perspective of a different student. All the kids have unique views on the same event, based on their own feelings and lives. The story shows that everyone can change for the better.

Reviewer: OzzyReed

Age: 11

Posted on by Wendy · 1 Comment

Hallelujah… explores the meaning of friendship in “Peaches!”

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Title: Peaches

Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson

Genre: Realistic, Romance

Rating: 4 Stars

Jodi Lynn Anderson’s writing is packed with many tender adventures, especially her book, Peaches.  In this book, Murphy, Birdie, and Leeda are three relatable young girls finding their way through adolescence.  Birdie’s family owns a peach orchard where Murphy and Leeda are forced to work all summer. That same orchard will unite these three girls forever.  

At first, Murphy, Birdie, and Leeda are not friends at all: they are quite the opposite of each other. Birdie is shy, homeschooled, and thoughtful, Leeda is bright, attractive, and forgiving, and Murphy is sexy, adventurous, and a troublemaker. But when the orchard goes into financial distress, the three girls come together to save the business.

I thought this book described the meaning of friendship well, and I really loved it!  However, there were some parts I thought to be rude or wrong, like when Murphy stole Rex away from Leeda.  I think the writer could have written Rex to be more loyal or compassionate.  And Leeda was too forgiving in that situation. Nevertheless, I appreciated this book because it is very engaging and a really fun read.  Each character has a wonderful personality and spirit.  I think this is a worthwhile read. I give this book a 4-star rating.  If you read this book, you will learn all about the girls’ unbreakable friendship and the conflict they work out in all three Peaches books.

Reviewer: Hallelujah…

Age: 13

Posted on by Wendy · 1 Comment

“The Candymakers” Review by SunPanda

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Title:  The Candymakers

Author:  Wendy Mass

Genre:  Realistic

Rating:  5 Stars

The Candymakers is one my favorite books! It is written by Wendy Mass, who has also written Pie in the Sky, Every Soul a Star, A Mango-Shaped Space and the Willow Falls series. It is realistic fiction, and is about four kids, Daisy, Logan, Miles, and Philip, all in a contest to make the best candy. The best of the kids will get to own the whole Life Is Sweet candy factory. Every thing is working smoothly when Philip’s dad plans to over run the company. Of course, no one likes Philip, and he has a hard time explaining what his dad was doing. Will he convince them? Will they win against the other kids all around the world?

I really like this book because it is in the different perspectives of each kid, and slowly builds suspense with each chapter. I also like that even though it’s really exciting, it has no violence in it. So if you like suspenseful, funny, characteristic books, I recommend this one!

Username:  SunPanda

Age:  10

Posted on by Wendy · 2 Comments

A Glowing Review by SunPanda of “Runs with Courage.”

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Title:  Runs with Courage

Author:  Joan M. Wolf

Genre:  Realistic

Rating:  5 Stars

Runs With Courage is my favorite book! It is a story about a Native American girl, Four Winds, who is taken away to go to a white school, or a boarding school. She has to learn English with a bunch of other Native American girls. It is realistic fiction and the author has only written one other chapter book. Her name is Joan M. Wolf.

The book is detailed about the Native American culture. Four Winds thinks like a native american and shows that she doesn’t understand a lot in school. She can’t control her anger very well, and runs away once, only to be sent back. She meets a Native American boy who cleans up after everyone, and is supposed to burn all the special items of the Native American girls. Four Winds and the boy, William or Catches Fire, become great friends and help all the other girls to be happier. I really like this book because it shows how some Native Americans felt about boarding school. Thank you for reading this report, and I hope you read this book!

Reviewer:  SunPanda

Age:  10