Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

 

 Charlie Bucket, a child who lived with his parents and grandparents, was poor but very kind. One day, he got a golden ticket in a bar of chocolate. The ticket was for Mr. Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, he had announced that there were five tickets in total, and if you got the one, you could take a tour in the factory, and there would be a winner among the five lucky children. And Charlie was the winner because of his kindness, and won the whole factory.

 I love this book because the story is very interesting, and it has a good theme—kindness is very important. Which was shown when all children except Charlie were punished because of their bad temper, and when Mr. Wonka told Charlie that he won because he was nice. And in real life, we shall never be bad to people, because it is not good to anyone and you will get repaid with rudeness.

 If you are nice to others like Charlie, you will love this book, because this story suggests kindness and stands against rudeness. 

Review by Xiao Xing (Gail) S.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

 

Princess Academy is a Newbery Honor Award-winning fantasy book written by Shannon Hale. Miri, a fourteen year old girl who was named after a tiny mountain flower, lives on the high slopes of Mount Eskel, where the villagers work hard in the quarry and cut linder (a type of fictional stone). Miri’s been living in the mountains for all of her life, trying her best to fit in and help her family. Then one day, word comes from the lowlands that the prince’s bride, or the next princess, would come from one of the girls in Mount Eskel. The prince himself will go to the village and select his bride, but first, all eligible girls need to attend an academy to learn the ways of royal life. Miri is one of the eligible girls. At the academy, Miri is faced with difficult challenges, including rivalry between the other girls and also trying to find out what she truly desires. At the same time she learns new things that might change her perspective of Mount Eskel. This including the thought about living in the castle with the prince gives her uncertainty. But later on, it is Miri who is the one who keeps her family and friends’ bonds together, even as she faces danger that comes to the academy.

I think this book is wonderful and I would probably read it again! This book gives a great message about family, friends, and education. Throughout the story Miri is confronted with challenges that include her family and friends, and although she was given the opportunity to live a luxurious life in the lowlands, she decides she’s most comfortable with the home she has. One of my favorite parts was when Miri rejected the offer of being a royal delegate so she can hand it over to another girl named Katar. This was my favorite part because Katar treated Miri so horribly throughout the book, with all of the bitter competition at the Academy, but Miri pays her back with kindness and gives her a special opportunity. “She’s only a horror because she’s so miserable. She’ll be an excellent delegate, I really think she will,” is what Miri says. This shows how thoughtful Miri is and how she wants others to also have the happiness of getting what they want. This is also a reason why Miri is my favorite character in the book. I sort of felt connected with Miri because, like her, I also feel like I would need to find out what I really want and what kind of life is right for me. Throughout the book Miri gives some thought about choosing her future, but in the end, she follows her heart. I feel as if perhaps I should do the same when I should determine my own future.

I recommend this book to anybody who likes fantasy novels. You will love this book if you are interested in stories about royalty, competition, and friendship. Princess Academy is the kind of book that really makes you think about your own family bonds, and gives you the chance to read a book that reflects a person’s feelings and desires. I recommend Princess Academy to those who are around the age of 10-14.

Review by Bom K.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda is a girl who is extremely brilliant although most don’t appreciate her brilliance. Matilda lives in a rich neighborhood with rich parents but Matlida thinks that they don't deserve to be so rich. Matilda goes to a horrible school with a horrible head mistress, Mrs. Trunchbull. The only good part of her life is her kind amazing teacher Miss Honey.

I think the best part of the book was when Matilda uses her psychic powers to dump the vase on Mrs. Trunchbull’s shirt, then the Trunchbull freaks out, jumps up, and screams bloody murderer.

I recommend this book to people who love happy and exciting books. If you like the book Witches by Roald Dahl you may like this book both books have exciting turns and twists.

Review by Bree D.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Sharon Messenger

12-year-old Sophie Foster has been living a lie. Up until now, Sophie has been living her everyday life of going to 12th grade, in high school, and being able to read minds. But the problem is, she can't stop reading minds, and the migraines are immense! But one day, a mysterious boy shows up and tells her shocking news. She's not human. Her family isn't her real family. Sophie is suddenly forced to leave everything she loves behind and go with this strange boy to a place she didn't even know existed. Will Sophie be able to survive in this weird place, with strangers she doesn't know the first thing about?

I personally really liked this book. I give it 5 out of 5 stars because it is (In my opinion) amazing!

I recommend this book to everyone who loves fantasy and mystery novels, because it has a great twist of magic, mystery, and heartbreak.

Review by Larisa C.

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier

Jack Sullivan and his friends June, Dirk and Quint are having the time of their lives when it starts snowing at wake-field. The monsters are not a big fan of the snow because of how cold it is.Then Quint makes the sled that can launch itself. And before they know it a giant monster appears out of nowhere eating the sled and Jack's baseball bat gets taken by another human named Evie and just because she is a human doesn't mean she will be nice!

I loved the book because of the action scenes where jack almost gets infected or even eaten alive sometimes

If someone likes high action fighting and running and even joking around this book would be recommended for them.

Review by Efe O.

Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life by Suzanne Nelson

The book I recommend is Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life. This book starts out with a girl who has a best friend, he works at a store where they sell fancy/decorated coffees and hot cocoas. She thinks that he likes her but he likes someone else. He tries to make the "someone else" like him but he ends up hurting his best friend.

I really liked this book. My favorite part is when her dad makes her go to the cello audition. She wasn't going to go because her best friend was hurting her because he would rather hang out with the "someone else" not her.

I would recommend this book to someone who likes realistic fiction. Also if you like happy ending stories you will love Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life.

Review by Morgan R.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Bella moved from Phoenix, Arizona then went to Washington where she met a boy and she grew attached to him in some sort of way and they went through thick and thin. I would say the first thick and thin thing they did was the boy stopped a moving car from hitting her.

I love this book. It's a solid 5 stars for me. It has amazing art and great words, nice friendly get togethers. 

I recommend this book to tweens and teen to ages 11-17.  If you like dramas then you would love this book!

Review by Jaylynn H.