ON MY HONOR, by Marion Dane Bauer (Written by Steven)

Joel and Tony ask their parents if they can go to Starved Rock (a national park).  Joel's dad says yes but when they go, Tony stops at a river.  He doesn't like to swim, but something is interesting to him.  When Joel and Tony stop on the bridge and are looking at the river, Tony decides to swim in it, and Joel dares him to swim out to the sandbar.  Now someone is missing.  Could it be Tony?  Now Joel is trying to deal with this loss.  Will he have to lie to his parents and Tony's parents?

ON MY HONOR, by Marion Dane Bauer (Written by Sarah)

Joel is the kind of kid who would rather stay inside and watch TV.  Then there is his best friend Tony.  With Tony everything dangerous is like an amusement park ride.  He would see a waterfall like a water slide.

One day Tony decides to go climb the bluffs at a park called "Starved Rock."  When he tells Joel about his plans Joel doesn't get very excited about it.  Joel asked his dad if they could "go to the state park" instead of telling the truth about going to Starved Rock.  He said they were just going to ride their bikes to the the park and back.  To hi surprise his dad says yes and they go.  They are riding to the bluffs when Joel looks back for Tony and sees that he is looking at the river.  Joel rides towards him only to find out he wants to swim in the dangerous river below.  While in the river Joel challenges Tony to a race to a nearby sandbar.  When Joel looks back for Tony, he sees that he's not there.  Had Tony drifted away?  Was he hiding?  Was he playing a prank?  Or...was he GONE?

What is a Bully? (Written by Sarah)

A bully picks on someone because it makes them feel more powerful and makes them forget about everything that's causing them pain.  They think that they have to pick on others just to give them that certain pleasure like "I'm in control."  They think since they feel small they need to make everyone else around them feel small too.  They think that if they can make you feel small, you'll think of the bully as big and powerful and that's the satisfaction they get.  Bullies thing that making other people around them feel small is the only way to make themselves feel better.

ON MY HONOR, by Marion Dane Bauer (Written by Kayla)

I love the book On my Honor, it's a really good book.  My favorite part of the book was when he changes his mind and wants to go swimming.  One thing I want to know is how the author came into so many details--did it happen to a close friend?  If so, is Joel still alive? If he is still alive, has he read this book and did it make him remember what had happened?  I thought it was super scary when Tony disappeared!!!

What is a Bully? (Written by Cireana)

A bully is a person who picks on other people by doing stuff like putting their lunch in the trash.  They take things that don't belong to them like lunches, money, and so on.  The people who get bullied are usually kids who can't stand up for themselves or let adults know. That's why teachers tell kids to tell an adult or someone who's around.  Bullies are really mean and they say curse words and talk back to teachers.  The people who are bullies have a lot of anger built up inside and they take that anger out on other people.  Bullies need help.

ON MY HONOR, by Marion Dane Bauer (Written by Payton)

On my Honor is about two boys named Joel and Tony.  Joel likes to play it safe and Tony is a person who never follows the rules and takes it to the extreme.  One day Tony tells Joel that they should climb the Starved Rock bluffs but Joel wanted to go swimming at the pool instead because he heard that someone had died while climbing the bluffs. Joel asks his dad if they could ride to the state park, expecting him to say no because it's too far away.  His plan completely backfires though because his dad says yes.  When they finally get to a bridge, Tony says they should go swimming in the river.  Joel says it's a stupid idea to go swimming in the Vermillion river but Tony goes in anyway.  Joel is really worried and stressed out because he had told his dad on his honor that they would ONLY go to the state park.  Will Joel go into the Vermillion river?  You'll have to read the book to find out!

ON MY HONOR, by Marion Dane Bauer (Written by Caroline)

I like this book, but I think that the author gives too much away because you know how it's going to end up.  The book is good, but it's not the kind of book that I would personally pick up off of a shelf.  My opinion of a good book is one that is about girl stuff or history!  

ON MY HONOR, by Marion Dane Bauer (Written by Cireana)

On my Honor is about these kids who go swimming.  This kid named Tony wants to go climb the bluffs at first, but Joel tells him that a kid died from climbing them.  Joel wants to go swimming in the pool instead, but Tony convinces him to ride to the bluffs anyway.  On the way there, Tony decides to go swimming in the river.  Joel is scared, but he goes anyway and they race to a sandbar.  While they're racing, Tony disappears.  To find out what happens to Tony, you'll have to read the book.

ON MY HONOR, by Marion Dane Bauer (Written by Miya)

On my Honor is about two boys named Tony and Joel who grew up together and were best friends ever since they were babies. Tony wanted to go to a place called Starved Rock to climb bluffs, and Joel want to go to the pool to swim.  They ended up going to Starved Rock after Joel promised his dad they were really going to just ride out to the state park.  On their way, Tony stopped at a bridge and wanted to swim in the river.  Joel didn't want to cause he knew how dangerous rivers are, but Tony jumps in and Joel goes too.  What will happen in the innocent river?  You'll have to read the book to find out.  You really should read it though, cause it kinda has a lesson in there!

THE LAST CHANCE TEXACO, by Brent Hartinger

The Last Chance Texaco

by Brent Hartinger

Posted by Alyssa

The Last Chance Texaco—it is their last stop—their last hope. It sure is Lucy’s last hope. Lucy has been through lots of home since her parents passed away. It was 8 years ago that her parents died in a terrible car crash when Lucy were only 7. Now Lucy’s 15 and is already at The Last Chance Texaco.  It is their last stop before they are sent to Rabbit Island—or as others call it, “Eat-Their-Young Island.”  Eat-Their-Young Island is located on a real island, but that isn’t its real name. It is really called Rabbit Island, but some kid renamed it too. Basically, it is a prison for kids. Surveillance cameras, locks on all doors, and sometimes restraints on the beds at night. The only way out is when you turn 18.  

Somebody has been starting cars on fire around Lucy’s neighborhood, and everybody is blaming the kids from Lucy’s home. If Lucy doesn’t find who’s starting them on fire they could shut down The Last Chance Texaco, and Lucy will be sent to Rabbit Island. But who could it be? Alicia or Joy? Or could it be Emil, Lucy’s counselor?  Well you have to read the book to find out who it is. So go on go to the library and get it cause you’ll love it.  J

NINTH GRADE SLAYS, by Heather Brewer

Posted by Steven

Ninth Grade Slays
by Heather Brewer

If middle school sucked for Vladmir Tod, then high school is worse. Besides get pushed around by some jerks at school, he still loves Meredith. And now he is getting followed by a photographer from the school newspaper. Practicing his vampire abilities hasn’t been the most important thing for him until now. A trip to Siberia with Uncle Otis is Vlad’s crash course in vampire 101training alongside the most gifted vampires is what Vlad needs to sharpen his mind controlling skills.  

If you like vampires, you will love the books in this series.  

FAR FROM YOU, by Lisa Schroeder

Far From You

by Lisa Schroeder

Alice is a girl that has a good but bad life because her mom died having cancer and her dad moved on and married another woman. Alice’s step-mom is going to be having a baby so she wants them to go to see her parents. When they get there Alice’s father has to  leave and go to New York City. Five days later, they leave and Alice’s step-mom gets them stuck on the highway during a snowstorm. Read the book Far from you, by Lisa Schroeder to find out what happens next.

Posted by Tiffany

THE TIGER RISING, by Kate DiCamillo

The Tiger Rising, by Kate DiCamillo

Posted by Tiffany

 For this book I thought it was a great book because it kind of taught me a lesson. It may have taught others a lesson too. Well this book is about a boy name Rob Horton and a girl he meets named Sistine. Rob is always being bullied by people at school and he is scared to say something about it. Rob’s life is really sad because his mom died and he's always being bullied. One day Rob goes into the wood and finds a tiger. Rob tells Sistine about it and then Sistine keeps pressuring him to let it go while on the other hand Rob doesn't want to set it free. Find out what happens next by reading the book The Tiger Rising, by Kate DiCamillo.

THE TIGER RISING, by Kate DiCamillo

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo

Posted by Adrian

We read it at school, but the book The Tiger Rising  was so interesting that sometimes I wanted to take the book home and read some of it there. Anyway I always went  to bed thinking about what was going to happen next in the book. Just like Rob thought a lot before he went to sleep. The saddest part in the book was when the dad shot the tiger.  Then that night  Rob had a dream that the wooden bird flew out of the tiger’s grave.   It flew so far up in the sky that him and Sistine could not see it anymore.  Then the sky started to look like the roof of the Sistine chapel.  I really liked this book.        

THE TIGER RISING, by Kate DiCamillo

The Tiger Rising
by Kate DiCamillo

Posted by Caleb

I really liked this book.  I liked how they are like hillbillies and I liked the way they talked because it's funny.  The saddest part of the book was when the dad shot the tiger.  That is why I liked this book.  

BEAUTIFUL, by Amy Reed

Posted by Kayla

Beautiful, by Amy Reed  

Beautiful is about a girl named Cassie. She is a good girl and a girly-girl, but when she meets a girl named Alex her life changes completely, and she will never be the same again. She starts to wear a lot of make up and she hardly ever eats or sleeps. When she goes to a party that she shouldn't have gone to she gets scared and wants to leave but Alex doesn't want to. It's dark and she doesn't know where she is and she's super scared.   What will happen to her?   

Will she stay lost?   Find out by reading the book.  

I think this was one of the best books I have ever read!!! =)<3

THIRTEEN, by Lauren Myracle

Posted by Caroline

Thirteen, by Lauren Myracle.

The story Thirteen is about a girl named Winnie. Winnie’s best friend Dinah is growing up too slowly while her other best friend Cinnamon is growing up too fast. I love Lauren Myracle books because they’re funny, interesting, and real. Winnie has ups and downs but always makes it back around. I recommend this book to girls who are like Winnie, Cinnamon or Dinah.  If you are a girly-girl who loves girly-girl stuff, you will love this book!

FAR FROM YOU, by Lisa Schroeder

Ok this girl named Alice has a lot of stuff  happening in her life. Her mom named her Alice because her mom’s favorite book was Alice and Wonderland.  

Posted by Emerald

Well Alice’s mom has passed away because of cancer, and Alice’s dad has moved on with his life and gotten married to another woman. Alice’s stepmother is with baby at that point, and she wants them all to go and see her parents.  Alice does not want to, but she goes anyway. Her dad was called from work to go meet someone important in N.Y.C.  Alice and her step mom do not get along so much but she is stuck there with her and her parents as well. Five days later they leave, and then Alice’s step mom

 gets them stuck in the snow.  Lots of other stuff happens, but before I tell you the whole story, you have to read it for yourself.  Read it!   I bet you well love it because it is the most amazing book I have ever read in my life! =)

THE TIGER RISING, by Kate DiCamillo

The Tiger Rising was a very good book.  I thought that it gave us lessons about life, like to never hold your emotions inside yourself.  Also, if you have all that stuff locked up inside of you, and you also have an animal or something locked up, letting the animal go might not always be the best thing to do.  Like that tiger--Rob let it out but nothing came to that tiger except for a bullet to it's head.  Sometimes even if you think you're doing something good, you might be wrong.  So that's what I got from The Tiger Rising.  It was a very good book. 

Posted by Dara

THE TIGER RISING (Spoiler Alert!!!)

The Tiger Rising
by Kate DeCamillo

The Tiger Rising is about this kid Rob and a girl named Sistine. The find a tiger pacing back and forth.  When Sistine sees it, she automatically wants to let it out because she thinks it's wrong to keep an animal locked in a cage.  When they let it go it doesn't come out, it just stays in the cage.  Then they shake the cage and it comes out.  Rob's dad shoots the tiger.  Rob explodes and hits his dad.  His dad holds him and he calms down. Then he buries the tiger and Willie May puts the bird in there with the tiger.  He has a dream that the bird flies away
.

I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, by Lisa Schroeder

I Heart You, You Haunt Me
by Lisa Schroeder


I Heart You, You Haunt Me is about a girl named Ava and her boyfriend who passed away.  She feels so guilty because she thinks it's all her fault, that her boyfriend Jackson died.  Jackson haunts her and she doesn't want to let him go but she feels like she has to. 

Posted by Marisol

Will she ever let him go?

HATTIE BIG SKY, by Kirby Lawson

Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Lawson
Blog Post by Mrs. Schauer


I listened to the audio book for this one, and time definitely flew as I was swept away to another time and place, into the life of Hattie Brooks, a sixteen year old orphan who inherits 320 acres from her uncle and moves all by herself, from Arlington, Iowa to Vida, Montana. Upon arrival she learns that in order to “prove up” her claim she has to cultivate forty acres and set 480 rods of fence within a year. Hattie realizes it’s a huge undertaking, her tenacity takes over and she sets out to do whatever it takes. Set against the backdrop of war and unrest, Larsen weaves Hattie’s and the other Montana families’ story beautifully. I fell in love with the characters and hope that students will too.

THE ROAD TO PARIS, by Nikki Grimes

The Road to Paris, by Nikki Grimes
Blog Post by Mrs. Schauer


Wow. I just finished this book and I’m sitting here crying. What a powerful story that will touch so many hearts.  The title definitely does not give the reader a clue to its content. I assumed it dealt with a girl in the city of Paris, and wasn’t all that keen on reading it—once again I was wrong in my assumptions! The story follows eight year old Paris on a journey that starts out in such pain—being mistreated in an abusive foster home along with her brother. When they decide to run away, they are separated and placed in different homes. Paris slowly starts to heal and learns to trust…and to love again. In the end, she and her brother are reunited and move back in with their birth mother and her new husband. It is a bittersweet ending because Paris has to take a huge leap of faith—from the arms of her loving foster family, into those of her mother, who has already hurt her once, and her new stepfather, a virtual stranger. Grimes sure left room for a sequel—I’ll keep my eyes open for it!

STANDING AGAINST THE WIND, by Tracy L. Jones

Standing Against the Wind, by Tracy L. Jones
Posted by Mrs. Schauer


This is a story of perseverance and how it’s possible to use intelligence and tenacity to pull oneself out of even the darkest place. Patrice Williams is a thirteen year old girl who has been raised by her grandmother in the south until her mother forces her to move to the projects of Chicago—only to wind up in jail after eight weeks, forcing Patrice to move in with her aunt and children. They live in a run-down apartment building and Patrice is bullied and picked on until Monty, the leader of a group of tough boys takes a liking to her and defends her. She begins to tutor his younger brother and they form a strong friendship. The majority of the book centers on Patrice applying for a scholarship to a prestigious African American preparatory school in Mississippi—the biggest issue is getting her mother’s signature on the application—because her mother is in prison, and Patrice doesn’t have the means to get to her—until Monty steps in and saves the day. In the end, Patrice is awarded the scholarship, and the reader is left wanting to know the rest of Patrice’s story.

EVERLOST, by Neal Shusterman

Everlost, by Neal Shusterman
Blog Post by Mrs. Schauer

This book, the first in the SKINJACKER trilogy, has found a definite following in my library, so I decided to give the audio book a listen on a recent trip. I was hooked from the very beginning, as I was drawn into the stories of Nick, Allie, and Leif, and their experiences in Everlost. Everlost is the place where the souls of children and teens go when they are "derailed" on their journey to the light. It is a place filled with danger--like the fact that the "living" land is like quicksand, and to stand on it too long means running the risk of being sucked to the center of the earth. The longer a soul is there, the more they forget about themselves and their earthly existence. There are many, many "Afterlights", which is the name given to the souls that occupy Everlost. There are rumors of a gruesome monster named "The McGill" who does terrible things to the Afterlights he captures. There's a leader named Mary Hightower who has taken on the job of caring for all of the Afterlights. I won't give away the resolution to this one--but it is a shocking one. Readers who love books that spark the imagination will fall in love with this masterfully written tale. I rarely like fantasy, but this one held my attention the entire time.

DRUMS, GIRLS AND DANGEROUS PIE, by Jordan Sonnenblick

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie
by Jordan Sonnenblick
Blog Post by Mrs. Schauer

This book has been on my shelf for as long as I've been in my library and it has been read by countless teen-aged boys--Bubba, Derek, Wessels, and other kids that have to REALLY like a book to give it a thumbs-up, have praised this one. When I have a reluctant reader walk in, and a guy who's read this one is in the library, they ALWAYS recommend it. (OK, to be fair, it's typically a toss up between this one and Vizzini's BE MORE CHILL, but what great company!) I've been meaning to read this one for a long time--for some reason, I just never have.  Wow. I know I say that word a lot in my reviews...but seriously....WOW. It is not at all what I expected, and it totally raised my opinion of the kids who rave about it. I have to be honest and say I expected there to be foul language or some other kind of "hook" that reluctant readers are normally drawn to. It had none of them. What it DOES have, though, is heart. This is a book that achieves the elusive goal of evoking strong emotion in the reader. I would find myself laughing out loud, while feeling intense sadness at the same time.

It's written in the voice of Steven, a sarcastic, incredibly intelligent, angst-filled teenage boy. Steven fills the reader in on all aspects of life his life. His parents are normal enough--for a teacher and an accountant. His little brother Jeffrey has the face of an angel, but in Stevens words, can be quite demonic at times. Sonnenblick's story starts out breezily--his characters are funny and believeable, and he is hilarious.                     

The story takes a sharp, unexpected turn early on, though--when a fall in the kitchen results in a bloody nose for Jeffrey. What starts out as a childhood mishap leads to a diagnosis of cancer for Jeffrey--and thus begins the journey that is this book.

I will not give away details--but this is a definite must read for teenage boys--it grabs the reader from the start, and the characters come alive immediately. I am sorry I took so long to read this one, but am so gald I finally did!

VIOLET IN BLOOM, by Lauren Myracle

Violet In Bloom (Flower Power #2)
by Lauren Myracle

Posted by Makayla

Four girls, Katie-Rose, Milla, Yasman, and Violet, have nothing on common, except their flower names.  When these girls become friends their lives change.  They have some pretty crazy adventures together and end up in a heap of trouble.  when Katie-Rose's campaign to get their school to serve healthier snacks turns into a disaster, it is only the start to their problems. A classmate tries to ruin Yasaman and Katie-Rose's friendship.  Violet is determined to figure out what' sup with the strange boy with the journal, and Milla has a crush on the boy down the street, Max--but ends up killing his hamster.  Will these four girls have enough flower power to save themselves?  Find out in best-selling author Lauren Myracle's Violet in Bloom

KIDNAPPED, BOOK ONE: THE ABDUCTION, by Gordon Korman

Kidnapped: Book One: The Abduction, by Gordon Korman
Posted by Mrs. Schauer

Things have been rough for Aiden and Meg Falconer. Over a year earlier, their parents were found guilty of aiding foreign terrorists. During that time Aiden and Meg lived as fugitives, but now, fourteen months into their parents’ life sentences, it is uncovered that they had been framed. They are released from prison, and cleared of all criminal charges. The kids go back to school and try to return to a life of normalcy. This doesn’t last long however, as Meg is kidnapped while she and Aiden are walking home from school one afternoon. This book is a fast paced with lots of action. It leaves the reader wanting to run out and find the sequel, as any good first series book should do.

VAMPIRE KISSES, by Ellen Schreiber

Vampire Kisses, by Ellen Schreiber

Posted by Miya

Vampire kisses is about this girl named Raven, a vampire-obsessed Goth-girl who was always an outsider to "Dullsville" and this boy named Trevor.  Trevor always teases her about how she has a crush on the new boy in town named Alexander.  Everybody talks about Alexander.   He is a vampire who lives in a mansion and has to leave soon. Read the book to  find out if she gets her bite in her neck or has to find him to get the bite she wants so they can live together for eternity.

EIGHTH GRADE BITES, by Heather Brewer

Eighth Grade Bites (Chronicles of Vladmir Todd #1)
by Heather Brewer

Posted by Steven

Vladmir Tod is half vampire and half human. Vlad gets pushed around by some jerks at school and he's trying to keep his secret.  Meredith is a girl Vlad likes but she likes his friend Henry.  Vlad’s teacher has gone missing, and a substitute named Mr.Otis finds out about Vlad’s secret.Otis ends up being Vlad’s uncle, but Otis is vampire as well. Will Vlad survive the eighth grade?