Title: Petey

Author: Ben Mikaelsen

Genre: Non-fiction, Biography

Rating: 

Petey, written by Ben Mikaelsen, is a heartwarming story about a man named Petey who is misdiagnosed as a “retard” and an “idiot” and grows up in an insane asylum.  He lives there until he is in his sixties, when suddenly he moves to a group home. One day while Petey is outside his group home, some boys start to throw snowballs at him.  Another boy named Trevor stops their bullying.  Petey and Trevor instantly become best friends.  Together they go fishing, to a mall, and on very long walks. Petey and Trevor have to overcome many obstacles, like weird looks, name calling, and getting Petey a new wheelchair so he can go on longer walks without the wheelchair falling apart or the wheels breaking.  But overall, the friendship helps them both tremendously.

You should read Petey because it is so satisfying, it will touch your heart. The author puts you in Petey’s perspective and uses descriptive words to detail the way two very different lives can affect each other.  You should read this book because it is wonderful.

 Reviewer: mihaaadabmaster5000000000

Age: 13

Title: Unbroken

Author: Laura Hillenbrand

Genre: Non-fiction, Biography

Rating: 

 Unbroken is captivating and keeps you hooked on the story at the turn of each page.  It has changed my perspective on life and is by far my favorite book.  This story is based on Louie Zamperini: the man that went from Olympian to airman to captive.  Louie starts out as a troublemaker in his little town in California.  That changes when Louie’s brother Pete coaches him in running.  He goes on to break records while getting ready for the 1940 London Olympics.  Then World War Two breaks out, the Olympics are cancelled.  and Louie applies to be a U.S. airman.  After years in his new job, his crew is shot down in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  Louie and a few of the other men on the plane are stuck on a life raft for 43 days, until they wash ashore on Japanese territory, where they find themselves in even worse danger.  This amazing story is perfect for young adult readers who love adventurous biographies.

Reviewer: Scooby Doo 89

Age: 12

Title: Unbroken

Author: Laura Hillenbrand

Genre: Non-fiction, Biography

Rating: 

Unbroken is an adventurous thriller about never giving up and always pushing through. This book is a true story about a man named Louis Zamperini who was an Olympic runner, and was at the peak of his career when he was drafted into World War 2. His plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. He endured a forty-day raft trip with the danger of starvation, dehydration, and death from sharks. When his raft washed up in Japan, he was captured by the Japanese and put into POW (prisoner of war) camps. Here he used his perseverance to make it through the war.

I really like how Louie is a fighter and never gives up. One example is when he was in the POW camp and held a twenty-foot-long 2 x 4 over his head for twenty minutes because he didn’t want to give the captain the satisfaction of seeing him fail. This captain, named “The Bird,” was one of the terrible leaders of the POW camps.  Louis was beaten, humiliated, and degraded.

In my opinion, this book keeps you turning the pages. I can’t wait to read it again.

Reviewer: hellemhockey

Age: 13