Ironside

Ironside is about a girl named Kaye. She declares her love to Roiben. Roiben decided to take her up on her offer, but first she had to go on a seemingly impossible quest. Until she can finsh the quest she can not see or speak to Roiben. Now she was miserable and convinced that she didnt belong any were she had decided to tell her mother the truth that she was left in the place of the human daughter that was stolen along time ago. Her mother sends Kaye back to the faerie world to find the human Kaye and return her to Ironside. But once she was back in the faerie courts she finds herself a pawn in the games of Silarial the queen of Seelie Court. It is about fairies. I thought the book was pretty cool. I did not get a little of it, but I got some of it. I would still rate it a 10 though, becuase it was a good book.

The Looking Glass Wars

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in Wonderland? Princess Alyss Heart is a 7 year old girl living in Wonderland. Her mother, Queen Genevieve, rules the queendom. This is one big happy family except for her Aunt Redd. Her Aunt Redd has been cruel and spiteful ever since the day her mother picked her sister Genevieve over Redd to be next in line to rule. Now Redd has come back from her exile to lead her own rebellion. To keep Alyss out of Redd's hands, Alyss Heart is put into the hands of Hatter Madigan, her mother's guard and head of the Millinery. Unfortunately, they are separated as they travel out of Wonderland through the Pool of Tears and Alyss ends up in Victorian London. There she meets Lewis Carrol, who she learns to trust. That trust is soon broken when he writes down her story...with a lot of changes. She is furious that he could do such a thing to her, making her life seem like a fantasy. In this world, no one believes her.
Now in the meantime, others are having troubles too. Redd has taken over Wonderland and the small resistance, named the Alyssians, are trying their best to just stay alive. Hatter Madigan is having quite a hard time finding Alyss. He searches all over the world for her, trying to bring her back to her homeland to stop the invasion. I would tell you more, but I don't want to ruin the book! You'll have to read it yourself to find out what happens!
I would have to rate this book a 9.9 on a scale from 1 to 10. It was fabulous! It is stuffed with action and mystery. You begin to feel as if you are walking, or as it often turns out to be, running beside the characters on this miraculous journey. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a book with a bit of sadness, a lot of action and just a hint of mystery!
Also, there is a sequel called Seeing Redd. Apparently, a third book is scheduled to come out too! So you will have plenty of reading material if this hooks you! It sure caught me!

Drums, Girls & Dangerous pie

SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK Drums,Girls& Dangerous Pie
A incredible book about a middle school kid dealing with life while his little brother battles leukemia.Its funny in a way that reminds us that its OK to laugh in a bad situation.Made me realize how many kids in America have cancer.

It starts with you meeting Steven, a 13-year-old drummer in the All-City High School Jazz Band annoyed with his 5-year-old brother Jeffery.Well one day when Steven is making Jeffery breakfast, Jeffery falls of the stool and has a nose bleed that won't stop.So his mom takes Jeffery to the hospital.They find out Jeffery has leukemia.Steven's mom takes Jeffery to a hospital nearby in Philadelphia twice a month.Steven goes through life trying to keep his brother's cancer problem a secret,not really focused on any thing but his drums.Later when his teachers confront him about him not turning in his homework does he start doing his homework again.When his mom gets sick Steven and his father have to take Jeffery to Philadelphia.Steven meets a girl about his age with leukemia when he's in Philadelphia.He hangs out with her.She dies sometime between the first time Steven goes to the hospital with Jeffery and the next time.When Steven finds out her sister wasn't with her when she died he decided to stick with Jeffery while he's in the hospital.Every one at school finds out Jeffery has cancer.When the high school requires all students to complete community service in order to graduate.Two girls figure out a way to help Steven's family money problems and help the band complete their community service hours by giving all the profits from the spring concert to Steven's family for Jeffery's Medical bills.When Jeffery gets sick in the middle of the concert, Steven leaves his big concert and solo behind to be with Jeffery.In the end at his 8th grade graduation Jeffery no cancer.

Airborn and Skybreaker Debate

SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOKS AIRBORN AND/ OR SKYBREAKER!!(Even if you have read Airborn, do not read this-it will ruin Skybreaker for you and we certainly don't want that)

My oponent will try to tell you that Matt should be hated for using his free will. Read this and see if it changes your mind.

This is my opinion of some 'problems' or 'issues' in Skybreaker. First of all, I believe that Matt had every right to kiss Nadia back. He can have free will and get away from Kate. For all he knows, she might be marrying, or at least really likes Hal Slater. Now, no matter what side you are on, I am pretty sure that you will agree with me that Slater is an awful man. He is heartless and greedy according to me and many of my friends and opponents. Anyway, I think that Matt was perfectly correct in kissing Nadia back. Nadia is kind and she is a very good character. Kate should get her guy priorities straight. She is being quite rude to Matt by gushing over Slater and ignoring Matt. I mean, I know that she wants to be nice to Slater so that he will take them to the Hyperion but does she have to be that nice? Also, does she not see his true reasons and cruel actions?

I am almost finished and I'm judging things from how they seem right now.

I don't care if Kate doesn't like Slater, she still has no right to kill Matt like that by acting that way! Okay, yes he kissed Nadia but who said he couldn't!? Excuse me, but at that time Kate was still being cruel to him! He can like Nadia if he wants to. I know that he doesn't more than a friend but maybe that was good for Kate to see them because then she got a taste of what she had been feeding Matt! Jealously, very good for Kate. She, what?, has no idea that she's hurting Matt by hanging on Slater's every word?! Yes, it's nice that they are all happy with each other again but seriously!

Matt had EVERY RIGHT to kiss Nadia!!!!! Kate was ignoring him so why not spend more time with the one kind girl on the ship! Kate could have just talked to Matt and told him that she didn't like Slater, which she does, so that would be lying.

What? You think that Matt isn't going to act like a boy? Of course he's drooling over Nadia's dancing!

I am very glad that Kate saw them kissing! Now she gets why Matt has been unhappy. One word, jealousy. Can't she tell that he hates Slater!?! Why would she go ahead and hurt Matt by being all friendly to Slater. Yes, I know that she says that she doesn't like him but she could have told that to Matt earlier! That would have saved a lot.

Kate was supposed to be his friend and I thought that friends told each other things to keep one another from hurting. Kate isn't that good at being a friend (or more) is she? I don't think so.

The Sight

This is a great book about mystical lore and legend coming to life. Set in the wilderness of Transylvania it starts with a wolf pack seeking shelter for the she-wolf about to give birth. Even if shelter is found, they are still in danger, and not just the pups. A lone wolf, Morgra, stalks the land. She posses the Sight, a mysterious and frightening power. With the use of this she finds that one of the newborn pups wields a power stronger than her own and she will stop at nothing to take it. A verse that tells about the dead rising and a battle that will involve the Varg's (predator's) worst enemy, Man, shall be fulfilled, with great risk and casualty.

I thought that this book was absolutely wonderful! It ensnares the reader and you become completely wrapped up in the magic of it all. If I'm making it sound like a princess fairy tale, let me tell you, it is not! There is magic aplenty but if you are emotional with books, you will be crying for sure. This story shows the strong bond in a family and how willing you can be to make a sacrifice if it saves someone you love. I would rate it a 9 on a scale from 1 to 10. It is definitely a must read!

The Host

The Host is one of most riveting books I have ever read. It is filled with mind boggling action and heart pounding expense. If you are looking for a book to keep you up reading all night then this is the one for you! I would rate it a 10 on a scale from 1-10(ten being the best). I would change absolutely nothing about this book, it was amazing!

You join a soul named Wanderer(Wanda) on the journey of her life. She has lived on many different planets and now Earth is her new home. The way souls survive is by being inserted into a host. Everyone time a host's life ends the soul is removed and placed in another host. These souls have taken over planet Earth and the remaining humans are not happy about. Very little "real" humans exist and the only way they survive is by hiding. Specific souls called Seekers are employed to catch these humans, so there bodies can be used to house fellow souls. In this case Wanda's human host is named Melanie. When Wanda is inserted into Melanie's body she is expected to gain all of Melanie's memories(including those about other humans whereabouts) and quite Melanie forever. The only problem with this is Melanie is a VERY strong willed young woman. Despite all of Wanda's attempts she refuses to be silent. Then Wanda comes upon a memory of a boy named Jamie and a man named Jared. Jamie was Melanie's little brother and Jared was her soul mate. Through the constant memories Melanie provides Wanda finds herself in love. Melanie's worries about these humans drip into Wanda's soul and make her question the life she has. She decides(with help from Melanie) to leave her home and search for Melanie's loved ones. Could they possibly be her loved ones now too? Would the humans kill her if she found them? These questions plus the constant reminder that she is now a traitor to fellow souls plagues the mind of Wanda. Despite this she sets out on the journey that will change her life forever.

The Ravenmaster's Secret

This was a wonderful book written by Elvira Woodruff! It is one of those fabulous stories where you think you have read ten minutes and really you have read for two hours. I would give this book a 7.5 on my list from 1-10(10 being the highest). It is a story filled with friendship and adventure that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

You join eleven-year-old Forrest Harper on an adventure that most only dream about. He believes his future holds only the dull, but wonderful, job of Ravenmaster. Little does he know what adventure is in store. The time is London 1735. The English are having great trouble with Scottish Rebels and Forrest soon finds he will help his father(the current Ravenmaster) guard one of these terrifying rebels. That is part of his father's job and in being his son Forrest is expected to help. He gladly looks forward to helping because he hopes it will put an end to the constant bullying he receives because of his size. If little Forrest Harper can guard an enormous, strong Scottish Rebel then surely the boys will stop their teasing, but to Forrest's dismay his prisoner is not the person he is hoping for. Instead he is stuck with the daughter of a Scottish Rebel, Maddy. Even though the last thing he expects to find in Maddy is friendship, that is exactly what he gets. He and Maddy become friends, but will that soon come to an end when she is sentenced to death? Can Forrest allow his good, innocent friend to be wrongly murdered? Or will he commit treason to save her? Read this fantastic book and you will soon find out!

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Wolf Brother

This book is the beginning of a wonderful series. It is about Torak and Wolf as they try to defeat the evil in the Forest. Torak and his father, Fa, live alone in the Forest, away from the clans and other men. Soon Torak's life is tipped out of order when an evil demon from the Otherworld trapped in the body of a bear attacks and kills Fa. Fa tells Torak that he must go and find the Mountain of the World Spirit. Torak's guide is supposed to find him and lead him to the Mountain. Torak sets off and soon finds a wolf cub. The cub, Wolf, becomes his guide and joins Torak, leading him on his difficult journey. Along the way they encounter danger, long time enemies and friends, and help in unexpected places. Torak finds out a lot about his past that he didn't know. He also discovers some unexpected things about his future.

I thought that this book was very thrilling and suspenseful in some parts. It hooks you and drags you along for the ride. It shows a culture that is resourceful and lost from our society. I would rate this book a solid 9. It was definitely worth reading!! Put it on your list of "To Reads"!

Don't Look Behind You

In the book Don't Look Behind You, there is a girl named April. She is a junior in high school and has an amazing boyfriend named Steve. She is her schools best tennis player. Basically her life is perfect. Her dad was the manager of an airline. He is off giving a testimoney at court. Her mom, who is a writer, has been anxiously awaiting his return. Then one day April is picked up at school early by her social grandmother Loreli. When she gets home, her mother is frantic and her father's best friend who is in the F.B.I is there. Her dad has been shot at! In this book full of love and suspense. You are sucked in by it's alluring word choice. Soon you are not you, but you are April. Trying to make sense of how and when her life went wrong. I would recommend this book to any one between the ages of 12-14. On a scale of one to ten, I give the book Don't Look Behind you a ...

Crushed

In the book Crushed. There is a girl named Audrey. She and her three friends (C.C and Lea) have just started there first year at a public high school. One day audrey meets this AMAZING boy. She describes him as extremely handsome. And his voice is a soft drawl. The boys name is Wickham Hill. He imedeately take a liking to Audrey. But as things heat up things also break apart. And all of the sudden out of nowhere she begins to notice a boy named clyed. A.k.a the mummy. Soon Audreys world is falling apart at the seams. And she cant seem to keep it together. In this amazing book you will imediately be drawn in. In this book full of love,lust,and treachery you will find that you can some how relate to how Audrey feels. I would recomend this book to anyone between the ages of twelve through fifteen. On a scale of one to ten I rate this book an eight and a half.

The Moonchild

My opinion about Moonchild is that it is a cool book for anyone who likes horror books.

The Blackstones son (Simon Blackstone) died of a mysterious illness at Christmas time. Simon was always so happy, and so alive. Then Simon died, but then a little after his funeral his mom and dad heard his laughter and screams. Then they saw the twisted faces of his victims, they were frightened masks of bloody shock. Then they learned the only way to end a moonchilds tortured existence was to bury him where he was born. So for the Blackstones, it meant a fearful journey across Europe with the casket of thier monstrously transformed son. For all who dared peer into the coffin, it meant unspeakable death from the part of him that refused to die. That part of him grew and grew and grew up to his last most hideous act.

I would rate this a 9, becuase it was a good book but a little bit of it was wierd.

Life As We Knew It

This book is about a 16 year old girl named Miranda. Her whole life is at least semi-normal...until the moon is knocked out of orbit by an asteroid. Then her life goes to pieces. The moon affects earth strongly, so when it changes, so does earth. Tides are flooding cities and volcanoes are erupting, covering the skies with ash and blocking out the sun. In some ways, the ash-filled sky is a relief because it also blocks out the moon, which is closer and looks disturbing in the sky, day and night. People rush to the grocery stores and fill carts and carts with food, panic is spread everywhere. Fresh water becomes something that you can't take for granted. Soon living becomes a challenge.

Written through Miranda's diary entries, this thrilling novel depicts how Miranda and her family struggle through this crisis where there may never be a happily ever after. This book is written very well and descibes everything perfectly! I would ABSOLUTELY rate this a 9.999999999 etc. out of 10!!! It should be in the top books on your to read list!

Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever

This is the fast-paced, action-packed sequel to the outstanding bestseller, Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. This book covers the flock, a group of six kids, Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel, who have been genetically enhanced by people referred to as the white-coats, at a laboratory in California, that the flock calls... the school. Oh yeah, I forgot one tiny little detail! They have WINGS! Yep, they can FLY!!!

Oh, I forgot one more thing... they are on a mission to save the world.

This story starts with the flock heading off to try and find their parents. On their way they fly into flying erasers!!! (Erasers are half human, half wolf -and now part avian- creatures who where also made by the school and their biggest goal is... to rid of the flock by whatever means necessary.) So a battle rages on in the sky until the Erasers eventually retreat and fly away. Max makes sure no one is hurt and no one appears to be injured, so they continue their way through the sky. After a while Max realizes that Fang has been flying awkwardly and goes to investigate. Upon reaching Fang, she sees his arm drenched in blood.

She gasps and says, " Your arm!" And all Fang can say back is, "S'not my arm," before he starts to lose altitude fast... really fast.

Will Fang be OK? What is with the flying Erasers? Will they ever find their parents? And the biggest question of all... Will they be able to save the world?

I love this book! It is one of my all time favorites! I love the action, the surprise, and the entire plot (except for one part- people who know me know exactly what that part is. Although it does make the story more interesting). I love this book and give it a perfrct score. But since this is my favorite book series of all time I give it the highest rank possible! So it is not a ten on a scale from one to ten it is higher!

Wicked: Book One Witch

Holly Cather's world shatters when she finds herself in a rafting accident. Her parents are dead and so is her best friend Tina. Somehow she is the only one to survive, but she doesn't understand how. She felt herself drowning yet after a plethora of odd dreams she wakes up in a hospital very much alive. Whom she finds there is someone she has never met: her Aunt Marie-Claire. Her new found aunt decides that Holly should come live with her in Seattle. Holly herself isn't so sure. Even though her aunt is there for her Holly decides to stay in San Francisco with her best friend's mother. After a terrible accident though she is forced to move to Seattle with her aunt. It seems Holly's life can't get any worse, that is until she gets to Seattle. On top of everything she is devastated to realize her aunt is cheating on her Uncle Richard with Michael Deveraux. He is the father of Jer. A boy Holly finds herself strangely attracted to. She doesn't understand; she has never met this boy before and yet she feels like she has known him her entire life. For Holly this is just the beginning of a terrible secret involving a family feud between the Cathers and the Deverauxs dating back for centuries. Does Michael Deveraux have a secret plan to hurt her aunt? Will Holly have the strength to carry on and save the people she holds dear or will she fall into the arms of Jer Deveraux?

This was a WONDERFUL book with enough action to keep everyone on the edge of their seat! I would rate it a 8.5 on my list from 1-10 and although it was hard to get through the beginning I was sure glad I did! This is the first book in the Wicked series by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie.

Ranger's Apprentice: Icebound Land

For a time, through the beginning, before chapter two, you find yourself with Will, an apprentice ranger for those who don't know, and Evanlyn on a wolf- ship caught in the middle of a sea with a massive storm flying at them at full speed. At the same time Halt, Will's master, is chasing a general of Morgarath, who they had just defeated, and his one hundred and one free-lance duplicates. After being caught up in the storm for so long the wolf-ship finally drags its way into the safety of a staging point harbor. Halt far across half a sea decides to take his chance to rescue Will so he commites a dead against his king and is banished for a period of one year, on his way to the port Horace, Will's best friend and a battle school apprentice, manages to join Halt on his journey in Celtica to Skandia where Will was taken to be a slave after being captured in the war against Morgarath. The story mainly centers on Will and Evanlyn in the beginning half and Halt and Horace through out the book in their journey to Skandia and the fights and adventures they had there. I liked the adventure that Halt and Horace took part in to reach Skandia to find Will and rescue him. I would rate this book at a 8 1/2 on a scale of one to ten. The end of the book does have a mild cliffhanger, thankfully you don't have to wait because the next book is out. (Next Post Down)

Ranger's Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia

You start off in this book with Will, an apprentice ranger, and Evanlyn in a Skandian cabin in the Northern mountains of Skandia after Will and Evanlyn escape a harsh life of slavery. The book follows Will, Evanlyn, Halt, Will's master, Horace ,an apprentice form the battle school, and other smaller characters in their own perspectives of their time in Skandia. When a foreign army from the South the Araluens and the Skandians must come together to ward off the enemy so that not only Skandia but all the countries in the region will stay independent of a foreign rule. As the foreign army marches towards the capitol of Skandia they encounter attacks from not only land but from sea too; all thanks to Halt's careful planning. Everyone helps out from Halt's planning to Horace's protection to Evanlyn's spying and ideas to Will's forming of a smaller archer unit. Everyone's help is need if everyone wants to stay free of a foreign oppressor. On a scale of one to ten I would rate this book at an eight. I loved the tactics but thought that some of the parts in the book seemed to run a little dry.

I Know What You Did Last Summer

In this book, there are four main characters, Julie, Ray, Barry, and Helen. They did something last summer that they are not proud of, and in a desperate try to keep their horrid secret hidden, they make a pact that said they could never tell anyone of what had happened that night.

About a year later Julie receives two letters. One is an acceptance to Smith College! She is very happy because she wants to be able to leave where she lives, in order to forget about the tragic event that occurred, not far from her home. In all of the excitement, her mother had forgotten to give Julie her second letter. So she gives it to Julie right before she leaves to school. As Julie examines the envelope she realizes that there is no return address. How strange... Then she opens the letter and in bold print is the sentence:

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER.

Could someone really know? How had their secret not stayed hidden? What will happen to them if someone does know?

I absolutely adored this book! It was so full of suspense and mystery! It is a very well put together story. It is really cool how she wrote the book too, because you see the story through... I am pretty sure- everyone's point of view! I would give it about a 9.8 on a scale from one to ten!

Everlost

Allie doesn't survive the car accident and neither does Nick, but their souls don't exactly get where they were supposed to go. Instead, they end up in Everlost, a place that is stuck between the living world and death. In Everlost they see the living world and everyone in it, but they can't be apart of it. If they try they may sink to the center of the Earth!

You join Nick and Allie on this world wind adventure where they first try to become alive again, but then once they realize their destiny is set they try to reach the beyond. Along the way they learn all about Everlost and what it means to be an Afterlight. They encounter many new friends and a few new enemies. Will they be able to accept their fate and move on or will they be stuck in their rut forever?

This was a wonderful book filled with abnormal ideas that made the reading... exciting! It's unusual plot and intense characters make it a 9.5 on my list! Everyone should have the opportunity to read Everlost by Neal Shusterman!

Maximum Ride: The Final Warning

Global Warming. It has been an issue people have talked about it for years, but is it true? Well, in Maximum Ride: The Final Warning you join the flock on an adventure they are sure to remember which teaches them a lot about Global Warming and what they can do to help. I would rate this book a 7.5 on a scale from 1-10. The only reason for my rating is because this book stood out from the other three in the series. The characters seemed less themselves to me. The message in the book was WONDERFUL though! It should really give kids a perspective on Global Warming and what it is doing to the world. It also teaches us what we can do to help.

You once again join Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, and Total on a whirlwind adventure. They are headed off to Antarctica to help scientists perform research on Global Warming. Many things happen while they are there, but in the midst of it all they find a traitor. Someone who has been reporting to a secret source their every move. Will this secret source find and capture them or was it all just a false alarm? The flock knows better than that; they are sure someone is after them and it is just a matter of time before that someone makes their move.

This is a fantastic book filled with real world events, adventure, humor, and even a bit of romance. Whether you believe in Global Warming or not this book is for you!

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a book about Kit. Her grandfather has just died, leaving her an orphan, in Barbados. Kit sails on the Dolphin to Connecticut to go and live with her Aunt Rachel and her terrifying Uncle Matthew. On the ship, she meets a boy about her age named Nathan Eaton. In Connecticut, she finds that life is very different from her homeland. Raised with silk dresses and slaves, she now is expected to do the work herself. Kit finds peace at one place though, the hut of Hannah. Hannah is a Quaker who lives in the meadow and is suspected of being a witch. Kit soon finds that Hannah is also friends with Nat. She has been advised and ordered not to go around Hannah but does not heed these warnings and soon Kit is accused of witchcraft herself!

If you like books with mystery, adventure, and even a little romance, then this is for you!! This book made me want to keep reading page after page like a good book should! I would rate this book a 9 1/2 out of 10! The Witch of Blackbird pond is a definite must read!!

Fablehaven

Do you believe in fairies? Would you be brave enough to care for hundreds of mythical creatures--most of them dangerous-- on a large and fantastical preserve? Brandon Mull will satisfy the most hungry of readers as he guides us through his story: What it would be like to visit your Grandparent's estate, and suddenly realize the beautiful land they live on is a magical preserve that holds millions of mystical animals-- and secrets.

Kendra and Seth's parents are going on a cruise. And the kids aren't invited. So what happens to them? They are sent to their Grandparents' house. But their Grandparents' estate isn't anything normal. Its sheer beauty and huge size is anything but ordinary. Kendra and Seth aren't expecting anything strange to happen, though. So they are very surprised when they turn out to be wrong. Soon, Kendra and her brother are swept up in the captivating secrets of the land their Grandparents live on, called a preserve. And then things start to go wrong. Can Kendra save her family-- and the preserve?

I absolutely loved this book, and anyone who enjoys fantasy will, too. I would rate it a 10 out of 10 for the terrific plot and superb imagery the book held. I could clearly imagine everything that Mull described, and I'm looking forward to reading the third book of Fablehaven. Anyone who enjoys this book will most likely like the sequel, Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening star. And to those of you who don't believe in fairies: After reading this book, you will. 

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

This was a very interesting book. If I were to rate it on a scale from 1-10 I would have to say it was... a 5.5. I would say this book is for a younger audience than seventh graders. It's characters are younger than twelve or thirteen, so it is difficult to connect with them. Although it is written for younger children the main story line was excellent! I enjoyed the mysterious quality the most in this book.

You join Claudia and her little brother Jamie on an exciting adventure. Claudia has decided that she wants to teach her parents a lesson. She wants them to realize how valuable she is, so she decides to run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York city. She knows that she can't make this trip alone(mainly because she has no money). Jamie on the other hand has tons of money, so Claudia chooses to invite,or rather demand, her brother to come with. At first Jamie doesn't want to go, but when he realizes its his chance for adventure he jumps right in. The pair is only planning on staying a few days in the museum, but when a beautiful statue arrives with a mystery attached they know they can't leave without solving it. The statue is called Angel and she may have been carved by Michelangelo himself! No one is sure of this fact though. The only person who is positive is the person who sold the statue to the museum, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The kids decide the only way to solve the mystery is by visiting Mrs. Frankweiler. What happens next you wonder. Well, you will have to read the book and find out!

The only thing I would change about this book is the narrator. Mrs. Frankweiler is telling the story and I found it some what confusing. Other than that and the age factor, it was a wonderful story!

Blue Heron

BLUE HERON, by Avi, was a heart-warming book filled with magic, love, and family. I enjoyed the experience of reading it, and would rate it a 7.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. It portrayed real life problems, which I liked, and was very down-to-earth.

 

Maggie has always believed in magic. Especially now, on her vacation with her father, step-mother, and baby step-sister. Staying in a cozy, small town called Sawdy pond, where wildlife thrives enthrallingly, Maggie has no reason to doubt that magic exists.

 

When Maggie spots a magical bird out on the swamp of Sawdy Pond, she immediately feels attached to it, and she resolves to study it and learn as much about it as she can. Later, she finds out it is called a Blue Heron. And thus starts the long days of watching and waiting for the Heron to find her. Maggie is convinced that there is a way to make the bird trust her, and she is determined to do whatever she can to accomplish this feat. But this is harder than it seems. Maggie must find a way to help the bird, and the bird must learn to have faith in Maggie.

 

But Maggie's trip to Sawdy Pond turns out to be more than just relaxing, enchanting experiences of watching the Blue Heron. It just so happens that Maggie must find a way to help her father, too, who is sick with heart problems. Maggie must overcome the problems that Sawdy Pond face her with, while still finding a way to trust others, and, most importantly, have trust in magical miracles. 

If I could change one thing about this book, I would like to change the ending. As a reader, I would have liked to learn a little bit more about what happens to Maggie. Overall, this was a good read.