SUMMER READING 2014!!!

SUMMER IS HERE!!! 

YAY! 

And, just in time...we have everything you need to know about Lane Summer Reading right here.
Click the links below for your

PARENT LETTER/DIRECTIONS

SUMMER READING LIST

SUMMARY FORMS

 Bring your summary forms to school  in September and be ready for a special activity!

Email me if you have any questions:
linda_coviello@bedford.k12.ma.us

SKELETON CREEK By Patrick Carman

             Ryan wants to find all about Skeleton Creek but his friend Sarah is leading that dream in a dangerous path. After getting sent to the hospital a few times, Ryan gets separated from Sarah and is not allowed to talk to her anymore. When they keep trying to meet up. Ryan breaks his leg. Will Ryans mom figure out they were still communicating? Or will it keep it a secret and more disastrous stuff will happen? CRUNCH!

             The main character struggling was Ryan.

             Ryan was struggling with Sarah because he kept trying to persuade her not to go to Skeleton Creek again but she wouldn't listen.

             Ryan changed by at the start of the story he didn't take Skeleton Creek and Sarah that seriously but at the end he realized Skeleton Creek had more to it then the "machine", the forest itself and the town.

             Ryan's struggle with Sarah trying to keep her safe is like when I have a "talk" when she does something bad and I talk to her about it but she ignores me.


              Rating ***

              Ittai
     

INHERITANCE by Christopher Paolini

There is a boy named Eragon. He found a egg which hatched into a little dragon.There was also a evil king and destroyed his home and family. He is now fighting for the the world and he is battling for the throne.



The coolest part is Eragon sent a tornado of  swords to the evil king.



I would recommend this book to boys who are ages 9-13.



RATING: *****

Ibrahim

THE HIDDEN STAIR CASE by Carolyn Keene

A 18 year old girl who is now about to be tied up on another mistirous case for a hunted house. Just as there about to new case a person comes and warns them Nancy and her house keeper Hannah beware your father is in danger. Nancy is getting  closer and closer to finding out the mystery of the hunted house for Mrs.Flora and her Aunt Rose Mary, and then the information was pilling up and up and up and CRASH!!!!!!!BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The ceiling comes crashing down on everyone and you would not even believe how fast it was as fast as as blink of a eye.........................................................Will everything go ok with the dad? Or will Nancy stop or will she figure out this mystery?

One thing that she was struggling with is when the whole ceiling came crashing down on her.

2 big conflicts in the store is she is worried about her dad that he is really in danger and the hunted house for her Aunt and Mrs.Flora so she had two cases on her hands

When I read this store there where not so many changes to the characters the Aunt Mrs.Flora  the dad and Nancy the main character.

I related a lot but one that stuck out to me was when Mrs.Flora saw a pair of eyes and was really frightened
and a person who I know is easily frightened too

RATING: ****

Julia

Day Of Doom By: David Baldacci

Amy and Dan has just gave the Vespers the last piece,and they didn't let the hostages go. Turns out they are using the stuff Amy and Dan stole for them to build a doomsday machine. Amy, Dan, and friends of theirs race against the clock to turn off the doomsday machine. They also have to find out who the mysterious Vesper 1 who has put this plan altogether. Can they save the world (Again)? Find who Vesper 1 is? Defeat the bad guys (For the millionth time)? Try not to get killed (by their parents killer and henchmen)? And save the hostages, Before it's too late?!!!

There was no struggle for the main character or for any of the characters.

The main characters didn't change.

The main characters didn't remind me of myself


RATING: ******

        

Historical Fiction: The Shark Attacks of 1916

Charlie 

July 2, 2014

Room 218

Mrs. Shaughnessey

The Shark Attacks of 1916

By: Lauren Tarshis

In July of 1916 sharks fatally attacked and killed four people and wounded one off the coast of New Jersey. Two of the attacks didn't even happen in the ocean, surprisingly, they happened in a creek 16 miles from the ocean.  

The story takes place in Elm Hills, New Jersey. The main character Chet Roscow is a ten year old boy who lives with his Uncle Jerry. Even though Chet has not been living in the beach town very long, he has made three friends; Dewey, Sid and Monty. The friends liked swimming in the nearby creek and pranking each other.

During this time people thought sharks were gentile creatures, however, local resident Captain Wilson said he had seen shark attacks while he worked as a whaler. 

One day while at the creek, Chet saw eyes black, beady as coal. While swimming to the shore, the shark scratched its teeth on his chest.  Nobody believed Chet when he said there was a shark swimming in the creek. Unfortunately, because of his prank, nobody believed him. He wanted to warn his friends before they went into the water. 

I can relate to Chet because we are both ten-year-old boys who like swimming with our friends. Like Chet, if my friend was about to get eaten by a shark, I would jump in and try to save them.



I give The Shark Attacks of 1916 4.5 stars.

THE COURAGE OF SARAH NOBLE by Alice Dalgliesh

Sarah is alone with her father, poor and in a small cramped house. Life is hardworking, light and dark every day. Sarah does not know if she cam make it through the hard labor. Read this book to find out.

Sarah is on conflict with herself. She is put through hard labor every day and the work is hard.

At the climax of he story, a miracle happens for Sarah. She is working and hires her. Sarah is beaming because she can buy clothes and food for her and her father.

This reminded me of me when I did chores and my mom started to give me an allowance.

RATING: ***

ZENDA LOST IN AQARIA by Ken Petti and John Amodeo

In the story Zenda and her friends went on a field trip to a moon called Aquaria. During the trip they got lost.
 
 Of course it was a struggle to get back to the campsite.At the end of the story you see that Zenda was
   able to overcome her fears.

   Zenda's enemy in this story is a girl named Alexandra

It must of been hard for Zenda and her friends to stay out in the wilderness on a planet they 'even know. Not only that but Alexandra was with them.if you could describe her is self centered and bratty.

 Kani is a power Zenda has that make her dreams come to life. But at the end Zenda stood up to it.

RATING?????

Ainsley

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS By J. K. Rowling

Strange things have been happening in Hogwarts. Strange words on the wall, and petrified people. Harry doesn't know why a elf tells him not to go to Hogwarts or hears words others can't, but when the chamber of secrets open, Harry has to battle the heir of Slytherin.

Harry, Heromine, the professors, and Ron struggle with Voldemort, the Malfoys, and a basilisk.

Harry hears words others can't, drinks a disgusting potion, sees petrified people, sees petrified Heromine, and fights the basilisk.

Harry gets paranoid when he sees petrified people, gets happy when the professors said that cures were being made for the petrified people.

Harry fighting the basilisk reminded me of a part of a book when a person fights basilisks.

RATING: *****

Kevin

ELLA FITZGERALD-TOMMY

ELLA

Ella was born on April 25 1917 Newport News Virginia.
Ella was the child of William and Temple Fitzgerald.
Ella lived in Yonkers new York where her corer took off.
Ella studied music inarticulately Jazz,
Ella overcame reform school and her parents separation.
Ella worked as jazz singer.
Ella was challenged by fame and jazz.
Ella's personality could be described as positive, generous, and determined.
Ella was always determined.
Never gave up her corer.
Ella was best know for her scat singing and Jazz.
Ella was ODD, CRAZY, AND CREATIVE!!!

FITZGERALD

THE RUNAWAY RACEHORSE BY Ron Roy

THE RUNAWAY RACEHORSE: Ron Roy
By Alvin

The three kids, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose, are off on a train to Forest’s house to see a very fast racehorse named Whirlaway run in Saratoga Springs. Dink’s Uncle Warren is also there. Warren and Forest both own the racehorse. When the kids ask if they can see Whirlaway in the shed they find out that Whirlaway is gone. After he and the kids find Whirlaway in the shed, but he started acting weird. Whirlaway backed away from his jockey, Sunny. He was usually friendly to her! On the day of the race in Saratoga, Whirlaway suddenly was very slow. He came in last to the finish in the race. The winner of the race is a horse named Dancer. The kids took a picture with the winner with the jockey and the horse's owner. At Forest’s home when the kids got their pictures from the drugstore they found out Dancer and Whirlaway are exactly alike except one has a dimond shape on his forehead(which is "Whirlaway") and one has shoe polish to cover the diamond shape on his head(which is "Dancer"). But why? Then Dink found out that the horse that Sunny rode wasn't Whirlaway--- Dancer is-- they switched names. Ruth Rose found out that the man in the picture was Mr. Bunks, Dancer's owner. Maybe Mr. Bunks had something to do with this. Then Josh came up with a conclusion, Whirlaway doesn't like sugar, so if Dancer eats the sugar cube, the kids will know this horse is not Whirlaway. Dancer didn't want the sugar, so they knew this was actually Whirlaway and Dink rubbed off the shoe polish on Whirlaway revealing a diamond shape. Whirlaway and Dancer are twins. When the police found out about this, they arrested Mr. Bunks and Forest got his horse back.

FOR THIS LAND By: Kate McMullan

This book is about a young girl named Meg, living in the 1850s in Kansas who went to go live with her
relatives on the prairies. It was a big mistake because there was a struggle against slavery, and Ruffians
were terrorizing the state! Not only that but, a devastating fire threatens their home.

The main character was in conflict with society  because a war against slavery was going on.

The struggle for Meg is doing what her family needs her to do in the new state, but wishing she was back home and gets worried that her father and uncle are in war to fight for a free state. Also, now that she lives far away from her home, she has to make new friends at  school.

Meg changed during the course of the book by being more mature and getting used to her new home (learning all of the chores she has) She cooks meals for everyone in the house, sews quilts for winter,
and cleans the house with her mother and aunt. Also, she helps looking for her uncle when he goes to
war but doesn't come back.

I can relate to Meg because we both dislike slavery and war, and we like school.

Rating*****

Maddy

MEET FELICITY AN AMERICAN GIRL by Valerie Tripp

Felicity has always liked horses, but when she meets Penny she likes them even more. After Felicity how bad Jiggy-penny's owner- she starts visiting her every night.  But when Jiggy catches Felicity trespassing to give Penny an apple, he forbids her to come back. He also keeps an  eye on her in case she comes back.

But Felicity is determined to help Penny, so she still comes back every night. Still not getting caught. Will Jiggy ever be nice to Penny? Or will Penny suffer though the rest of her life?!?!

Felicity is in conflict with another character. The conflict is that Jiggy won't treat Penny fairly.

Felicity changes by being nicer to Jiggy at the end of the book.

I could relate to this book because my sister's friend used to be very mean to her and now she is much nicer.

RATING ****

Audrey L

   

MY NAME IS AMERICA: THE JOURNAL OF RUFUS ROWE, A WITNESS TO THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG by Sid Hite

Its about Rufus a boy who runs off to Fredericksburg, Virginia with only ten dollars and then he gets two jobs but in about a month a whole army of union troops come. Luckily they don't attack at first that gives time for the confederate army to come. After along time waiting the confederates come but the union have a bridge all the citizens go out of town except the army, a couple blacks, and the brave Rufus Rowe stay. Houses shatter, people die the unions try to get to the other side. Will the succeed to beat the confederates or will they fail and charge through the lake?

Rufus Rowe (the main character) is in conflict with war (society).

The conflict for the main character was that he was close to some of the people that died and he feels that if you lose you lose and if you win you lose.

Rufus changed during the course of the book being happy to get away from his mean father but near the end he was not happy because so many people died (upwards of 6,800).

I feel the same way as he did (Example : Before I fight with my brother I feel happy but after I fight I feel unhappy.

Rating : *****


Yan

TIMMY FAILURE by Stephan Pastis

I liked the part when they told about the bunny Dickey it was weird who would 

name there bunny Dickey and the weird thing is hes in a bank.

Timmy has a struggle with making new friends.

He has trouble talking to other people when he makes new friends in his school or in his nabore hood.

Timmy made new friends in his school his behavior was a little better then what is was before and he did better.

he reminds me of my friend hes sometimes bad but not all of the times.

**** 

Pedro    

GHOST HORSES by Gloria Skurzynski

The main idea is when a mom geologist found something strange going on with the horses in the Chloride herd. Jack and Ashlia's mom puts the kids in a foster care.  Awhile later the mom comes and picks Jack and Ashlia up from the foster care and also takes two other kids from the foster care.

The kids struggle sometimes to help there mom with important things.

The mom struggles to keep all of the kids safe and the kids are doing there best to get along.

At the begining of the story the mom wasn't mechin as much as she was at the end of the story like for example, the mom was getting mechin in the middle of the story.

My mom relates to this character because she is always hard at work.

RATING:****

logan

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON by Cressida Cowell

The main idea of the book is Hiccup needs to find a dragon a long with ten other boys Thor's day Thursday exile. But in the morning a sea dragon appeared on the beach. Will Hiccup be able to get everyone out of exile?

The main character in conflict is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the 3rd

The conflict for the main character is Hiccup could not pass the initiation test.

 The main character changed during the course of the book like when there was a dragon fight and everyone failed the test. Hiccup could not control his dragon in the beginning. But at the end of the book Hiccup and his dragon Toothless fought a sea dragon as big as a mountain. Which proves that Hiccup is now in control of his dragon.

I related to to this character and their struggle like when Hiccup was embarrassed because he was the only one who could speak dragonese. I also was embarrassed when I was the only one one to chose vanilla ice cream on the field trip.

RATING:  ****

Tommy

GOOSEBUMPS: THE DEADLY EXPERIMENT OF DR. EEEK by R.L Stine

You and your friend Sam are looking for you mom in a science lab ... Where could she be ? You sit on an orange chair, but Sam doesn't. He picks up a glass of clear liquid water that is sitting on a table ."HEY"you cry "DON'T DRINK THAT!!!" But before you tell him , he drinks it down in one big gulp. "Sam ...I mean it  ...WE CAN'T FOOL AROUND ...THIS IS A SCIENCE LAB


You are in conflict

You cant find your mother but your friend Sam keeps messing around with you ... And you are in a science lab !!!!

You have thought you would never find your mother, but now you think you have a better chance because you said bye to Sam, and now its just you and DR. EEEK .

It reminds me of when my mom and my dad got divorced and it felt like I lost  my father forever.

RATING :*****

  Sydney

AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN by Michel Morpurgo

The main idea in the story is war. It's war because many things happened in war like fire, bombing and others. In the fire and bombing people were being killed and badly hurt it was torture, but they were the last people to be hit for the bombing. It was a disastrous for what had happened to the poor town. Lizzie was the character that had struggled (real name is Elizabeth) and she was against society. Lizzie was in a big war, her dad was fighting in the war and he hadn't come back and they hadn't had a letter saying he was dead or killed.

They started to bomb her town and they were trying to find their elephant but they couldn't find her and mutti was upset. But then they decided to move on away from the death zone.

Lizzie changed because the elephant meant a lot to her mum. Lizzie also had to change because if she said she was from her country they would kill her if said or found out. Elizabeth is a old lady in care not a child anymore. My character relates to me because my grandad's parents or grandma and grandpa were fighting or in the house when war was going on.

RATING: *****

Olivia

MOON OF THE RUBY KEY by Holly Lisle

This book is about kids trying to find something. They are trying to find a ruby key. The kids are going on an adventure looking for it. They are looking everywhere.So then they go in the woods and they are just walking around looking every where there are a bunch of trees every where.                                                                                                                                                                                      
 The main character is struggle with the ruby key because all they are doing is looking around trying to look for the ruby key and they are in the woods.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Caleb was mad because he was looking very hard for it and they have been there for along time and and they are in the woods and it is very dark you can't see any thing so they still have a long time .                                                                                                                                                              
He changed because then they were saying that we will find it and they also said they said it will be okay and even if they have to stay there for a long time but we will find it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
It reminded me of my sister because once she got something a she really liked it and then she lost it  we were looking for it every where and she really wanted to find it so she made me look for it every where.  
                                                          
    *****

THE PRINTER'S APPRENTICE by Stephen Kringsly

The main character Gus is a printer's apprentice for Master Bradford. Together they print a newspaper called the Gazette. The Gazette has a challenger, The Weekly Journal. One day Zenger -the maker of The Weekly Journal- got arrested for putting something in the newspaper that offended the governor. Gus's friend Zach doesn't think that Zenger should have been arrested. A few weeks later, Zenger's layers didn't want to defend him. Zach writes a letter to a layer in Philadelphia and gives it to Gus to give it to the layer in Philadelphia when he goes. Gus gives the letter to the layer and when Zenger is in court he is found NOT GUILTY!

Gus is in conflict with Zenger.

Gus and Master Bradford were struggling to like Zenger, and put his arrest in the Gazzett, and help Zenger in court to prove him NOT GUILTY!

One time halfway in the book Gus helped Zach pull a little kid out of an old ice fishing hole. This showed that Gus  had more courage to do more stuff.

This book reminded me of myself because Gus was always confident to do things but scared at the same time.


Rating:****

Astrid

GILDA JOYCE PSYCHIC INVESTIGATOR - Jennifer Allison

        In this book Gilda Joyce told her class, she as going to San Francisco for the summer. When Gilda's father died she wanted to communicate with her father. When she arrives in San Francisco at her long lost cousin's house she figures out about Juliet's aunt. They struggle to become friends and try to figure out family secrets.

            Gilda the main character struggles to become friends with her cousin Juliet.

      The struggle for Gilda was Juliet. Juliet broke her ankle and she would only lay in her bed and wouldn't come out of her room. Juliet even didn't come down for dinner she would eat eggs and celery. Also the first time she time they talked Gilda asked about Juliet's foot she slammed the door on Gilda's face.

   Gilda change during the book because in the beginning Gilda was on her typewriter almost every second of the day typing about Juliet or her father besides at dinner time and other times but during end she started to get more and more involved with the mystery of Juliet's aunt Melanie. Also in the begging they hated each other but near the end they starred making friends with Juliet. They started to begin to solve the mystery together and try to be as sneaky as possible so Juliet's father, Mr. splinter wouldn't catch them.

     Gilda struggle was becoming friends with her long lost cousin Juliet. That relates to a problem I had because sometimes my cousin are sometimes a little crazy. But like Gilda they still love each other.

RATING: ****

Sophie



      

SMELLS LIKE PIRATES by Suzanne Selfors

This 12 year old boy named Homer W. Pudding has been accepted to a secret treasure hunting organization called L.O.S.T . His book has a map to the greatest treasure of all time. But he is not the only one who's trying to get it this girl thief named Lorelei who's trying to destroy L.O.S.T and tale all the treasure for her self. When Homer visits Lorelei in her new lair she was talking to two former women who worked for L.O.S.T, they still are but there spies and theirs for Lorelei. Finally when they were gone, Lorelei acted  like Homers friend. Te two agreed that they would split the treasure 50/50 but there's one thing that still isn't figured out...will Lorelei betray Homer in the end?  Nobody knows. mwahahah!!!!

The main character does not change in the book.

Homer struggles to get his hidden map.

Rating *****

By Cameron

THE MARK OF ATHENA By Rick Riordan

Annabeth is very frustrated... she is worried that when she reunites
with Percy he will have changed, It has been six months and believe  me
people can change! Soon Annabeth receives a note...   Dear Annabeth, take
three friends to the Argo II... AVENGE ME!!!     -Athena. That note terrified Annabeth! 
And the most disturbing part was this note was from her Mother! , 
ATHENA... Annabeth had not seen her for years yet she always  knew
her mother was up in the clouds starring down at her...   BEWARE THE ARGO II...

Annabeth was the main character [of course]. Annabeth had a big struggle
with her mother, Athena because she had not seen her mother in years, 
and years! She always thought her mother had bailed on her! Annabeth
had another struggle with Percy... Annabeth had just reunited and had not
been together for the longest time! {six months}

Annabeth had a big struggle with life itself. She most of the time was never
happy or never had a smile on her face. Life was a nightmare come true,
everything was a really big challenge for her and she could not really function
as well as everybody else.

Annabeth goes from a lonely, twisted minded girl to a warrior of
wisdom! There are some very big changes that she goes from through-out
the story... these are very hard changes to make and are brave to
dodge!

Annabeth reminds me of a friend named Sally... She had a mind
just like Annabeth, she thought everything was out to get her,
even her cat, Mr.Butler, [frankly he really was out to get her]!

RATING: *****

~Eva

THE RAIDERS by: Jorn Reil and Helen Cann

Rane and his army are invading Leiv, Naura, and  Apuluk's new home.  The three kids are trying to defend their new home. Can they help defend their new home from the raiders?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The main character was in conflict with another character                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The raiders were raiding the three teenagers new home                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Apuluk and Naura were rescued by a northern family teaching them that not all Northernmen were bad.  they all found their strength against the raiders and defeated them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The three friends stuck together and protected each other when ever danger rose.                                                                                                                                                                                                              RATING****                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

CHET GECKO THE BIG NAP by Bruce Hale

Chet Gecko is about a gecko and a mockingbird who get a report that some one is acting like a zombie. Chet the gecko starts noticing some more zombies. One question remains...who is the ZOMBIEMASTER?

Chet Gecko does not change throughout the book.

I relate to Waldo because I have been accused for something I didn't do. 

RATING: ***

By Lochan

THE JOURNAL OF WILLIAM THOMAS EMERSON by Barry Denenberg

William  Emerson had a normal colonial life until one day when a thunderstorm rolls along and lightning strikes the house melting the bowls onto the table and incinerating his family. Then he meets a man named Mr. Heath who gives him to Mr. and Ms. Marsh. A few years later  he runs away to the Seven Star Tavern and soon finds himself caught in the revolutionary war.

The main conflict was all of the English army or the "red coats".

The main character became much braver because he spied on suspects of the British army and cut a British officer to the death.

I would give this story *****.

Alex

THE OWL KEEPER by Christine Brodien

The plot of this book is that their is a special town with a special tree could the owl tree that has special powers. and that tree has a owl keeper that takes care of all the silver owls.

The main characters  names are Max, Rose and Gran.

The main struggle is that Max finds out that two people are trying to turn him into a monster.and that the town wants to tear down the owl tree.

The main character changed  by becoming more mature.

RATING: ******

I relate to the main character  and I have been in things that have been hard to overcome.

Reed

EARTHQUAKE By Kathleen V. Kudlinski

Philip discovers there is an earthquake. All of his horses got hurt and his father brought Philip's family to a safe place. Philip is left with no water and barely any food. Will he survive?

Philip struggled with letting his horses stay where the earthquake hit. His dad wants to leave the horses at their house so they could have a lighter luggage

Letting everything go for example, When Philip's dad got home and said they had to leave Philip didn't wan't to leave the house. But at the end they left.

He changed by getting over stuff. For example the house and the church and without his family living in a house.

When I was home alone I saw cops going to the air force and I saw smoke  everywhere. It was the Hanscom plane crash.

RATING: ****

Matt

PHILLIPPA FISHER'S FAIRY GODSISTER By Liz Kessler

Phillipa Fisher is just another ordinary girl. So when her best friend Charlotte moves away, imagine how surprised she is when she realizes that she has a fairy godsister! Phillipa has 3 wishes, but all they end up giving her is trouble...lots of it!

Phillipa was in conflict with Daisy, her fairy godsister.

She was struggling to get along with Daisy.

At the beginning of the story, Phillipa doesn't really enjoy who she is, and her parents embarrass her.
At the end of the story, Phillipa learns to embrace who SHE is.

I related to Phillipa because my parents sometimes embarrass me

RATING: *****

Maddie

CLONE CODES by the McKissacks

The story takes place in the year 2170.It is about a girl named leanna and her mom who are caught up in chaos.They are both courageous woman trying to survive.
           
The  main character was in conflict with Spiller the bounty hunter.
She was hiding from most of the country.She was trying figure out why her mom was arrested.

Her confidence increased because she realized she needed to fight for freedom more.

Leanna reminds me of Katniss in the Hunger Games she never gave up and fought for freedom also.
           
RATING: ****

Harry

THE WRECKERS by Ian Lawrence

    There was once a village bred from evil,These men, women and children prayed for ships to crash on their rocky shores, They  clothed themselves with and treasured their gather of the items in the shipwrecks.

Then John Spencer, his Father, and a ship crew ride the ship Isle of Skye after loading barrels in Spain, On their way to London, they see beacons after a devastating storm when they try heading towards it they end up crashing on the rocky tombstones. John Spencer survives the wreck and sees that his crew is murdered.Soon enough John Spencer finds his father is alive, he learn that the beacons they saw were false and what thought to be wine then thought to be gold, was sawdust all along. John discovers the real corpse lights and what lie underneath a cursed tomb, battles a legless man named stumps, sees the the man with no tongue named Eli, and meets many friends such as Simon Right-of-Wreck and Mary a nice trusted young maid who lives with Simon. 

John Spencer struggles with nature, society of the village, and of course himself.
The conflict is that John does not like the false beacons and other evil society of the village, and struggles in secrets he keeps and the secrets many people are not telling to that he need to find out, also he struggles at looking at the ship wreck souvenirs that people kept, he struggles looking at the tombstones. The most important thing he struggles in trusting other people close to him such as Simon and Mary.John made a big choice.
John changed a lot from the scared shy boy who had to be commanded by his father to a brave boy who would dare open the tomb said to have a curse, or to run away in the dead of night to rescue his father, To battle Stumps a evil legless man,to light a white phosphorous match with a smart strategy to defeat an enemy,to find out and defeat mysterious leader who made himself undercover by acting nice. 
John Spencer is brave and daring things like me,John Spencer has rode a horse which I have done many times too.

                                                                                -RATING-
                                                                                   *****
Aidan

CAM JANSEN AND THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN DIAMONDS by David Adler

Cam, Eric and Howie are at the mall waiting for Eric's mom to come out.

Cam, Eric and Howie chased the man because the fat man stole some diamonds from Parkers Jewelry store. Cam and Howie got caught by the robbers.

The house got surrounded by the cops and the couple and the fat man got arrested.

I just liked this book...I thought it was interesting and it moved quickly.
    Jordan

The baby cried a lot and it was funny.
    Jake

READY FREDDY TOOTH TROUBLE by Abby Klein

Freddy wants o lose a tooth very badly because he is the only one in his class who has not lost one. He also wants to be able to sign the Big Tooth.

Fredduy came up with a plan to lose his tooth. His plan didn't work.

Freddy lost his tooth. He swallowed it, thinking it was a nut.

I liked that he tried different ways to lose his tooth.
    Justin

THE SECRET PANEL Franklin W. Dixon

Frank and Joe try to solve 3 mysteries. 1 includes a gang of television thefts, and 1 about a pick-lock, and one about a mansion with no locks. The Hardy s go through many tight situation including their aunt coming to stay at their house. How can they solve their mystery with their picky aunt hanging over their heads? Team up with Frank and Joe hardy to solve these baffling mysteries!

The main character in conflict with another character is Frank and Joe

Frank and Joe struggle to solve the three mysteries. There are multiple problems throughout the book but one of them is getting stuck behind a secret panel. While working on the 3 mysteries the Hardy boys get kidnapped and shut behind a secret panel with no way to get out!

I did not see any change in the main character throughout the story.

I didn't relate to there struggles because I have never gotten kidnapped neither has my friend been kidnapped.

*****  

THE JOURNAL OF PATRICK SEAMUS FLAHERTY by Ellen Emerson White

Patrick Seamus Flaherty is fighting for his life in the war of Vietnam. He makes some friends and some got eliminated! Will Patrick survive or be dead?

Patrick struggles against society.

When the NVA start shooting mortar rounds at the U.S. soldiers and most get eliminated! They get a lot of cuts and really bad injuries. They think of an idea that saves some of there lives!

At first Patrick was a little bit scared to go to war. After awhile the mortars and ambushes start and he gets scared and wants to go back home safely but he cant go home yet!

I know what its like to be really scared and worried. It can really be annoying and its like you can't forget about it.

Rating: ****

Nick

CODE TALKER - Joseph Bruchac

This book is about a native boy who went to mission school. Mission school is a school where they teach native children the English language, but they were very strict. If they heard you talk Navajo instead of English they would beat you with a bat or worse. The boys name is Ned , well not exactly they changed his name in mission school. His name in Navajo; it is ''Yaat'eeh. Year after year he finished school and then one day he was listening to the radio and he heard that Japan is in war with the United States.  They needed Navajo men and he wanted to sign up, but he was too young, so he had to wait a year before he could sign up.  This was hard for him because he wanted to help out in the war.

I know somebody  who has struggled by having to wait. Once he was old enough he signed up and then  he was brought to boot camp and was told he would be a code talker.  A code talker speaks in code to a radio that goes to the Navy.  The main character changed through out the book because it was so top secret that he couldn't even tell his own family.  He was shipped out to Hawaii to practice in the dessert and jungle and then he was sent off to his first combat zone... will he survive?

Ben

THE TIME HACKERS by Gary Paulsen

The main idea is time missions.When there was this kid how his computer was broken. He sent it in but a worker swapped his computer. Then he kept getting weird images.Then holograms then thing he can feel.

The main characters dorso his computer got hacked.

in the book they got shot theylearned it was more serious.

RATING: ********


jay Oliver

THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson has to help his camp stop a invasion from Luke's army. To stop the invasion Percy has to go to the labyrinth, a underground maze that is hard to find your way out of. During the journey Percy encounters traps.Will he stop the invasion? Read the book to find out!

Percy Jackson struggled with another character and nature.

Percy struggled to stop the invasion and struggled to get past the labyrinth.

He began to know more things.For example he found out that his camp's leader was someone else.

He got lost in the labyrinth and I got lost in a mall.

*****
Nikhil

THE DOLLHOUSE MURDERS by Betty Ren Wright

This book is about Amy, a girl whose dolls are never in the same spot. Every night she hears noises; her sister doesn't care. Amy drags her along. They hear stories about the murders of her grandparents. Join Amy and her sister on a thrilling adventure as they find out the truth about the dollhouse murders.

Amy was in conflict with nature because she was trying to figure out the truth about the dollhouse murders.

In the beginning she was scared for example, "I've never been so scared on my life". At the end she wants to find and isn't as scared for example "In the attic". She would never go in the attic in the beginning and now she does.

This book doesn't relate to me because I've never had any experiences with ghosts!

RATING: *****

Michael

ROSETTA'S DARING DAY by Lisa Papademetriou

Rosetta and Fawn are completely different. Rosetta makes a deal with Fawn. The deal was if Fawn gets dressed for the party that night she would do whatever she wants to do. Will the plan work for the two opposites? Rosetta, the main character, struggles with Fawn. Rosetta made a bet with Fawn and Fawn is an animal talent fairy and Rosetta is a garden fairy.

The problem is Rosetta doesn't like getting all dirty. Can their friendship last a day with frogs, mud, and worms? When her friend was trapped in a hole with worms in it she realized her friend was more important than getting someone else to get her.

I relate to her by I don't like frogs, mud, and worms like Rosetta.                                                                                                             RATING:  ****                                                                                                                                                           Imtisal

ATTACK OF THE GROWING EYEBALLS by Lin Oliver

This book is about a boy named Daniel and he has only girls in his house.One day after baseball practice he ate something that made him shrink.A few days after he found out he has a brother and Granny Nanny knew about him all along.

The characters are Marcie, Pablo, and Daniel. Daniel struggles when he finds out  he has a twin brother and at first he doesn't like him at first but then he turns out he does like him.

At the beginning of the book he was a little bit grumpy about shrinking but after he did it a few more times he started to like shrinking

I related to Daniel because both of are rooms are messy. Also I have a brother and he loves to play video games too

*****

Sabrina 

VOYAGE ON THE GREAT TITANIC-THE DIARY OF MARGARET ANN BRADY by Ellen Emerson White

In this story, a young orphan-Margaret Ann Brady embarks on a journey across the ocean to New York.Although she is working on this trip Margaret can still explore and have some alone time. She also gets time to bond with her new "friend"/ crew member named Robert. One day when the air was cold, Robert came in with bad news. "Miss Brady-"Wait...  Margaret thought. He calls me Margaret. "Please proceed to the boat deck, immediately." This must be serious.

Margaret was in conflict with nature.

The conflict for Margaret was an iceburg because it sunk the ship and it took Roberts life.

RATING???

Allie

A TO Z MYSTERIES THE X'ED-OUT X-RAY By Ron Roy

    Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose go to a concert to see Penelope Quinn preform. As the concert hits intermission, someone steals Penelope Quinn's necklace. Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose have 3 suspects in mind. Is the thief one of them? Could Dink's x'ed-out x-ray be a clue to finding the thief?

Penelope Quinn was one of the main characters who struggled 

Penelope Quinn lost her necklace and tries to get it back but she does not know who stole it. She gets help from 3 little kids that eventually find the necklace.

     Penelope Quinn felt happy towards the beginning of the book. She got scared when the thief stole something from her and just got nervous from there on. Then at the end she got exited because Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose found her necklace.

   It reminded me of when I lost my key to unlock and lock my lock. It reminded me of it because my friends found it and Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose found Penelope Quinn's necklace. That's why it reminded me of me.

RATING: ****

Brandon       

        

SCRAPS OF TIME 1960 by Patricia C. McKissack

This book is about Abby, she protested against segregation. Also her dad died of a rail road accident.       Her mom and almost every one she knew stood beside her to protest.

Abby was in conflict with segregation.

Society split up whites and blacks, and all blacks couldn't go some places.

 Abby matured little bit because they were doing a sit in she thought it would be easy but it wasn't so she stopped goofing around and started acting like a grown up.

She reminded me of my mom because she's always serious.

RATING: *****
Stefon

NUMBER THE STARS By Lois Lowry

The plot of the book is to help Annemarie's best friend Ellen. Ellen is Jewish and is likely to get killed by the Nazis. Annemarie's Uncle Hendrik sends her on a dangerous mission. She carries a basket of food in front of enemies through the deep dark woods.

The main character is Annemarie who is in conflict with society. The struggle was to save Ellen without getting caught.

Annemarie seemed to be happy and social in the beginning of the book, but in the middle of the book she was a bit more independent in order to save Ellen. Annemarie was pretty curious until Uncle Hendrik and her parents told her everything.

The middle of the book reminded me of when I was trying to keep my Halloween candy a secret from my mom. She found out eventually just like the Nazis.

Rating:***

~ Ellie

SMELLS LIKE TREASURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Suzanne Selfors

Homer is an ordinary boy who's uncle is a treasure hunter when Homer finds a letter in the mail that says ''your time has come'' he knows whats coming.His uncle being in a secret society is long gone so Homer takes it upon himself to join with Zelda a woman with giantizm and dog, a mutt that can only smell lost treasure help him on his way? Lorily ,a rival treasure hunter challenges him for his spot. l.o.s.t cant decide who to pick so they send Homer and Lorily on a quest to find the coin anywhere in the world. Will Homer find it and claim his rightful place in l.o.s.t?

RATING: ?????

MEET KAYA by Janet Shaw

Kaya (main character) is a Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) native american, Kaya has a wonderful Appaloosa mare, Steps High.  Since he is so wonderful Kaya tends to brag. Then she gets into a bit of trouble.

Kaya is the character who is mostly in conflict with herself. Kaya bragged about her horse then she finds she has a race while she is supposed to babysit her brothers .

During the course of this book Kaya changes and is more careful about what she says about Steps High.
This book reminds me about a cousin.  He is an only child, he can brag a little.

RATING: :****

Audrey

GILDA JOYCE THE LADIES OF THE LAKE Jennifer Allison

In my book Gilda Joyce (the main character) is going to an all girls school. Lots of people say the school has the ghost of  a girl named Dolores Lambert that died by drowning in a frozen lake. Throughout the book Gilda was trying to find more information about Dolores Lambert. In the book Gilda goes around the school and tries to ask some people some questions about Dolores or they tell Gilda a time of when they saw the ghost of Dolores Lambert roaming around the school.

The main character was Gilda Joyce and she struggled with another character .

Throughout the story Gilda struggles to find out more about the ghost of  Dolores Lambert and what the ghost did around the school.

At the end of the book Gilda signed up for a paper writer club to write about the ghost and what scary things it does around the school.

Gilda is like me because I think it's fun to read mystery books or to do it because it is like being a detective trying to figure out a problem.

RATING: ****

Olivia

MEET JULIE by Megan McDonald

Julie and her family moves a few miles away from their old home. At Julie's new school, she makes a friend named T.J. T.J. says that he will try out for the basketball team, and Julie wants to go with him. but the team is for boys only! Can Julie fight for a spot on the team?

Julie is in conflict with Coach Manley, the basketball coach.

Julie wanted to be on the basketball team really bad, but coach Manley says there is no girls basketball team, and girls can't be in the boys basketball team. Julie fights to get the spot, but coach Manley won't hear any of it.

In the beginning, Julie didn't want to move. She would have to leave her pet bunny and her best friend behind. but when she hears there is a basketball team at her new school, she doesn't mind moving. And first, when Julie makes a petition, she makes one and gets signatures right away. But when Ivy leaves her and isn't her best friend anymore, Julie rips up the petition.

Julie reminded me of myself, when I had to go to swim team tryouts to get a spot on the swim team. (I didn't get one).

Rating:*****


Angela

THE GREAT HAMSTER MASSACRE by Katie Davies

Anna and Tom wanted a pet for a long time. After years of begging their mom finally caves in. So their mom gave them the option of hamsters but so Tom & Anna said yes to getting the hamster but soon after they got them both of the hamsters die.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The main charterers  are Tom, Anna and Suzanne                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The problem for the main charterers is they don't know what happened too the poor hamsters.                                                                                                                                                                                     The characters did not change during the story.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           I did not relate to this story in any way
RATING: ????

Nick

THE GIRL IN THE WINDOW By Wilma Yeo

 Kiley Mulligan Culver is a babysitter for a little rich girl named Leedie Ann Alcott (About 5 years old). One day when Kiley came home from school  she saw police cars all around the Alcott house, her dad told her that Leedie Ann had gone missing. At first everyone thought she was just lost, but then after a year, people think she was kidnapped. Now Kiley found out there is someone in Leedie Ann's bedroom, is  Leedie Ann or is it her ghost.

 The main character is Kliey Mulligan Culver

 The conflict is that Leedie Ann was missing and Kiley was all alone. Her Best Friend, Sarah loved her, but Sarah's mother...not so much. So her mom said '' Sarah isn't aloud to  be near Kiley or friends with Kiley.

 When Sarah left Kiley, Kiley was lonely, Sarah's mom hated her and at the end of the book Sarah's mom thought about how Kiley found and saved Leedie Ann.

Rating: *****      

                                                     Adriana

THE TROUBLE WITH CHICKENS by Doreen Cronin

Plot: A dog named J.J. Met a chicken named Moosh. Behind Moosh there were 2 chicks named Dirt and Sugar. There were two other chicks named Poppy and Sweetie but they went missing. It was J.J.'s job to find out where they went.

Conflict: J.J. Was in conflict with Vince because Vince stole the Poppy and Sweetie and he had to find a way to get them back.

Character change: The conflict for J.J. Is that it that Poppy and Sweetie go missing and J.J. Has to look in his enemy's house to see if the chicks are there.

Relate: The main character changed through the book because at the beginning of the book he didn't really care about the chickens because in the beginning on page 5 it said " her name was Millicent. I called her Moosh, just because it was easier to say and it seemed to annoy her." At the end of the book His feelings  definitely changed because at the end he wanted to help the chickens. In the book on page 63 it says "We practiced RHBWR for an hour." His feelings definitely changed.

Rating: ****

Abby

THE 39 CLUE THE MAZE OF BONES By Rick Riordan

               
                          Dan and Amy Cahill were chosen from one of the many people to come in the great hall to their grandmother's will who is now buried, Grace Cahill. The people had choices to get either $1,000,000 or go on a quest that will make them the most powerful living being in the world. Amy and Dan picked the quest and now they don't know what's in front of them.

                          One of the problems Amy and Dan had was competitors. There were people like Jonah Wizard, Ian and Natalie Kabra, Alstair Oh, Irina Spasky, and the Starlings, Ted, Ned, and Sinead.


                           The problem that Amy and Dan has had was they were targeted. Everybody knew Dan and Amy were Grace Cahill's favorites of all. Every person knows who to get stuff and find information from, Dan and Amy.



                                                                     Tomo

THE 39 CLUES: THE MAZE OF BONES BY Rick Riordan

Genre: Mystery

     The 39 Clues is a story of a boy named Dan Cahill, a girl named Amy Cahill, and a babysitter named Nellie. Amy, Dan, and Nellie go on an adventure that brings them to Philadelphia and France. They are trying to find clues to a treasure that their grandmother, Grace Cahill, hid. There are other people competing with Dan and Amy to get the clues.

     Amy and Dan are against the other competitors, Ian and Natalie Kabra, the Holt family, Alastair Oh, Jonah Wizard and his dad, Ned Ted and Sinead Starling, and Irina Spasky.

      The conflict is that Amy and Dan try to get clues but the other competitors try to steal the clues. Amy and Dan are trying to get clues before the other teams.

      Amy and Dan both change a little bit throughout the book. I'd say Amy and Dan got a little braver after a little bit. They also got better at finding out the clues. Amy and Dan weren't very confident at the beginning of the book.

       It sort of reminds me of Sherlock Holmes because he is a detective and he also has to find a lot of clues.

RATING:  ****

Matt

IRIDESSA, LOST AT SEA by Lisa Papademetriou

The main idea of this book was to get a bottle that Iridessa could put light to move the wild owl.
They were fairies and Iridessa. The conflict was being in the bottle because she was trapped in it.

RATING: ****
Isabelle

MONSTER BLOOD III by R. L. Stine

One day , Andrew and Evan were babysitting 8 year old Kermit who loved experimenting. Accidentally, they are an experiment Kermit was doing. That experiment made Evan grow stories high and they have to find a way to stop it.

They have to find about how to shrink him back to normal size with his friends Kermit and Andrew.

At the beginning of the book  Kermit always pranked them. As the book went on, Evan accidentally ate a chemical called Monster Blood . When he grew two stories tall, Kermit instead of pranking him he helps him by mixing chemicals up to shrink him back to normal. Everyone became friendlier after that.

I could relate to this because when somethings wrong with me I have to figure something out to change the problem.

RATING: ***

Joel

SEEKERS, THE QUEST BEGINS by Erin Hunter Annie

This book is mostly about three bears Kallik, Toklo, and Lusa growing up. Lusa is a black bear who was born in captivity. Toklo is a grizzly bear who lost his mom and his brother. Last but not least there is Kallik who is a polar bear who also lost her mom.

I think one of the main characters Lusa had a conflict. Lusa's conflict was escaping the zoo. She pretended to be sick so the zookeepers would take her out of the bear exhibit.

The main characters changed because all three bears became more confident in themselves. Also Toklo learned to trust other people. All three bears learned how to hunt for their own food and learned survival skills for example protecting themselves from the firebeasts, better known as cars.

I related to this book because I learned from my mistakes and experienced knew things as I grew up just like all three bears.

RATING: ****
Annie

SPY FORCE MISSION: NIGHT MARE by Deborah Abela

Max and Linden attempts to win a spy agency award hidden in a medieval fortress. Are Max and Linden going to get the award?! So they go and try to win the award. At the end they have found the spy award and so relieved they did.

Max and Linden struggle to get in the medieval fortress without the guards knowing they were there. 

Security fields set off Max's green Gadget goes off and warns Max and Linden.

Linden and Max were apart of a official spy force team, then Linden tells Max about the spy award and Max agreed to do it.

Max is like me because he takes chances just like when he did the spy award challenge and went in the medieval  fortress

Rating :  ****

BUNNICULA A TALE OF MYSTERY Deborah and James Howe

So two a cat and a dog named Harold and Chester live with a nice family the Monroe's. When the Monroe's are at the movies they fined a rabbit. They decide to take it home and they choose a name Bunnicula. A few days later a tomato turned white then all of the other vegetables  did to. Harold and Chester think Bunnicula is a vampire. Can they keep them and the Monroe's safe?


Harold the dog was in a struggle with both Bunnicula and Chester because he thought Bunnicula was a vampire sometimes and other times he was fighting with Chester how Bunnicula was not a vampire.


Sometimes the conflict for Harold was getting away and keeping safe from Bunnicula and other times he was trying to convince Chester that Bunnicula is not a vampire she's totally fine.


First Harold was scared of Bunnicula and didn't want to go near her but at the end of the book he got close with Bunnicula and liked her.


I related to Harold because sometimes people will say don't go near someone for some reason then I end up going near her and she's really nice and I like her and Chester said don't go near Bunnicula because she is a vampire and he ends up going near her and Harold likes her as a friend.


RATING:***

By Lauren F

    
 

TOYS GO OUT by Emily Jenkins

Lumphy wanted to know what he was and Tuk Tuk  tells him. But when he goes on a picnic he gets covered in peanut butter and he does not want to go in the washer.

Lumphy was in conflict after he went on the picnic.

Lumphy does not want to go in the washer so he hides in the closet. He has to go in the washer because he has peanut butter all over him.

Lumphy does not like the washing machine but then he does like the washing machine.

Lumphy relates to me because he is curious about a lot of things and I am too.

RATING: ***

THE DOLL IN THE GARDEN by Mary Downing Hahn

This is a story about a mysterious child crying in the night. And how 2 girls are determined to find out where these creepy noises are coming from. Oh and an adventure through the backyard and other times. Will the girls get so creeped out and scared they will love the garden?

The main character is Ashley

Ashely and Kristi (her new next door neighbor) are not welcomed anywhere in the yard at Ashley's house because of the awful Miss Cooper, the old woman who lives downstairs from Ashley. Soon Ashley and Kristi find a doll while digging in the garden even though they are forbidden from going into the rose field, a dark magical world.

Ashley had moved into a house with her mom and hated the woman downstairs, Miss Cooper. In the beginning  and then Ashley met her neighbor and they became very good friends and they found a doll. Then they fought over the doll and Ashley got mad because she wanted the doll. At the end Kristi and Miss Cooper became friends with Ashley and played and shared stories about Louisa.

It reminded me of when my brother and our neighbors and I found keys while digging in the front yard and it turned out they were my Dads.

I rate this book *****

Ani

RANGER'S APPRENTICE: THE RUINS OF GORLAN by John Flanagan

In Castle Redmont it's choosing day. Will, the main character was not choosen for anything. But then the head Ranger Halt, a spy selected Will to be his apprentice. Then will goes on a dangerous to beat the Kalkara, a bear type creature.

The main character Horace had trouble with three bullies

Will had trouble with mastering Halt's tactics.

Will learned how to use a bow and arrow, cook, ride a Ranger horse, use Ranger knives, and sneak around places with being unseen.

It reminded me of how I used to struggle with a bow and arrow at my summer camp.

My rating is ****

Shrey

THE GHOST OF GRAYLOCK by Dan Poblocki

A new boy in town hears a rumor. A rumor about a ghost. Continuing his reputation in his old town he has to find this ghost. Going to the medical where the ghost lives, he finds some supernatural things that he doesn't expect.

The boy Neil Cady had struggled finding the ghost.

The conflict was if the ghost is real or not. Was it just a rumor and if it was real what would the real ghost do?

At the beginning he hated moving but after meeting friends he wanted to stay at his new home.

I personally loved fake stories. The boy likes them too. That is our relation.

I rate this book ****

Anna

HOW I, NICKY FLYNN, FINALLY GET A LIFE (AND A DOG) by Art Corriveau

Plot:  Nicky Flynn's parents got a divorce so he moved to a new to a new town with his mom and got a dog. Nicky runs away to his dad because he never sees him.  Nicky tries to find out why Reggie was in a shelter. Nicky and his mom getting along and happy with Reggie.

Conflict:  Nicky is in conflict with his parents because his dad never sees him and he blames his mom, but he always gets yelled at for blaming her.  His mom drinks way too much wine at dinner and at night.  

Character Change:  Nicky changed after getting a dog.  Through out the story, he begins to learn the history of Reggie and begins to like him more an more.  In the end, he actually realized that he could count on Reggie to be his friend and decided to keep him instead of giving him back to the pound.  Also he realized that he doesn't blame his mom anymore for the divorce and not seeing his dad enough.

Relate:  The three things that I relate to him is that my mom and dad are divorced and my friends name is Nick.  I understand Nicky's feelings about the divorce and not seeing his dad much, but I'm lucky because I see my dad every day.

Rating:  ****

TYLER Room 10

BORN TO RULE by Kathryn Lasky

The Plot: Princess Alicia was put into the south turret with princess Kristen and Gundersnap. There are rumors that the south turret has been haunted for years now. When Alicia and her friends try to find the unfinished tapestry they discover lots of unusual things. Meanwhile they're training a songbird how to sing a song for an important contest. They all go through many challenging tasks to overcome and to complete  along their journey.

The main character(s): The main characters are Princess Alicia, Princess Kristen, and Princess Gundersnap.

The Conflict: The conflict for the main characters was to teach a songbird how to sing and trying to find the missing tapestry.

The main character changes: The main character changed during the course of the book because she gained courage in herself when staying in the haunted south turret and swimming for the first time in a swim test!  Here is an example from the book that says, "Something cold brushed her cheek.  And once again a voice whispered "Young Princess, I am old.  Please help - not all my tale is told."

Relate to this character:  I relate to Alicia because I get scared at night just like she does and she thinks her turret is haunted.

RATING:  ****

Lauren

THE LAMP FROM THE WARLOCK'S TOMB by John Bellairs

                         

                    Anthony Monday buys a lamp for a science project, but it wasn't a ordinary lamp. It was stolen from the warlock Willis Nightwood. Through all the twists and turns will Anthony, Miss.Miss. Eells, and Emerson help save the universe before the lamp destroys it first.

                       Anthony is in struggle with the lamp.

                      The struggle for Anthony was to stop the lamp from spreading evil because it caused a murder and it found the earths dark side.

                      I think Anthony changed during the book because he used to be shy and awkward and now he is brave and strong.

                       I think I could relate Anthony to my old neighbor Emmie because she was brave and a real dare devil.

***

             Keira

                                     

MY SECRET WAR by Mary Pope Osborne

The plot of the book is a military girl living with her mom when her dad is in the military. And changing schools all the time. Madeleine and her mother are always worried about her dad.

The main character of the book is Madeleine beck she struggled by all ways having to go in to new schools and make friends.

The conflict is she was worrying if something happened to her dad and if he was ever coming back  and if he got hurt during the war.

At the beginning of the book she had no friends and wasn't able to make friends but then at the end of the book she makes so many friends. At first she had no job and was only caring for her self but then she was working for the red cross.

My moms dad was a Lieutenant Colonel and my mom would be away from her a lot so she would just live with her mom and siblings. When she went to new schools it was hard for her to fit in.

RATING: ***

Jillian

DUST BOWL MIGRANT

This book is about a dust bowl migrant from Oklahoma.  He is moving to California because of the Dust Bowl.  Him and his family are moving there to grow good crops and to survive the Dust Bowl.  California is a terrible place for people from Oklahoma.  People in California call people that come from Oklahoma "Oakies."

The main character is in conflict with the people in California and nature.

He was in conflict with nature because of the dust storms.  The dust storms brought down his roof, and are destroying the town.  The dust storms are destroying the town by flooding the town with dust, and by killing animals.  He was also in conflict with people in California because they are treating him really badly.  The people in California are doing things like pointing guns at his fathers chest.  His father ended up going to jail because he punched a guys who was yelling at his daughter.

I related to this character by the fact that he tries to be as nice as he can, and to be humble.  This is how I relate to the character, and to what I try to be.

RATING: *****

Ben

THE HAUNTING OF GRADE THREE by Grace Maccarone - Sophia

                 The main idea of this story is that there was a boy named Adam and he was in a committe with his friends from class. The committe had to find ghosts in there school. So one night they went looking for ghosts at there school. They searched and searched and heard weird noises but no sign of ghosts. The disagreement was that the other kids in Adams committe did not want to of look for ghosts but Adam. And the disagreement with adam was that in the beginning none of the kids wanted to do the ghost committe but Adam. So Adam kept saying "come on guys who wants to look for ghosts" but no one said anything but adam because he wanted to look for ghosts.

Adam changed from the beginning of the story till the end because in the beginning misterious things  were happening. Like when all the kids were at there desks the pencils fell off there desks row by row. And also other misterous things happened like they heard weird noises then at the end of the story Adam and his friends searched and searched for ghosts and never found them again.                                                                                

Rating:****

   SOPHIA

JULIAN SECRET AGENT by Ann Cameron

              Julian and his friends Gloria and Huey want to start their own detective agency. They rescue a dog from dying and a kid from drowning. They find a man who looks just like a man who is wanted and the reward is $25,000. Will the man be him? Or is he just a fake?

            Julian wants to find a criminal so that he can get the reward money.

            Julian couldn't find any criminals and he really wanted the reward money.

            Julian changed from being an amateur to telling a police chief that there was a criminal right in town. First he went from rescuing a dog by telling the owner to open up his car windows. Next, there was a child drowning, and they saved him from dying. He gets so good at detecting, he actually gets involved with the police for one of their crimes.

            I relate to Julian because I like to be a detective too. For example, I like doing scavenger hunts.

RATING: ***

DOVEY COE by Frances O'Roark Dowell - Leah

Little Dovey Coe clearly hates Parnell Caraway. He's rich, snobby, and very mean. But would she really go so far as to kill him? That's what the town thinks when he shows up dead!


Parnell Caraway constantly bothered Dovey Coe and her family. Caroline Coe is courting Parnell, but when it comes to marriage, she says no. Parnell is very angry and soon shows up dead.
It's up to Dovey to clear her name.

My rating: ***

Leah

EDGAR ALLAN'S INVESTIGATION NOTEBOOK by Mary Amato

            This story is about a boy names Edgar and Patrick and a crime happens at their school. Lots of stuff get stolen like goldfish, iris, fan, tea. Edgar  and Patrick are enemies. They have a race to see who will find out who commit the crime first.Their are many witness to the crime like Mr.Crew, Kip, Taz, Destiny, and Mia. Mr.Crew acts suspicious about poetry; he says poetry is a gift. They're going to get a lot of clues to find out who did it.Who will find it first ???
 
   
           Edgar is the main character. Edgar struggles with Patrick  because always Patrick beats him to everything in Edgar always get embarrassed and always fail and everyone laughs at him.                    


          The conflict for the main character is Edgar just wants to get to the crime before Patrick. So he does not get laughed at and embarrassed again like he always does. Edgar did not have many friends in the begging of the story then at the end of the story Edgar had many friends in his class.                  


       Edgar changed  at the course of the book by .At the beginning of the story Edgar was enemies with Patrick at the end of the book when Edgar got to the crime Edgar felt bad for him so he went over to Patrick and said do you want to come to the willow tree with us.


       I related to this chapter because sometimes people in the game all around the world people beat me  and I fell embarrassed because I failed and then I go up to the person who beat me and a say good game.


       RATING:****

THE DIARY OF CLOTEE, A SLAVE GIRL by Patricia McKissack

Here are 3 or 4 main idea's

-She learns about writing & spelling plus learns her ABC's.

-Caroline couldn't tell anyone though about her learning...

-She wanted to tell m.z  Lilly,but she couldn't trust her she would tell everyone!

Her are the important Characters.  Caroline, m.z Lilly & her Dad.

The struggle in this conflict was when Caroline was learning  her ABC's and trying so hard to keep it a secret & if she told someone the whole Family would end up knowing.

The main Character changed by the end because she ended up telling the whole family and then felt good.

I related to this book by when i was 9 yrs I had a secret that I couldn't tell anyone but later on I ended up telling my mom and I felt very happy.

RATING: *****      

Lily 

THE SHIPWRECK By Jorn Riel

    Leiv finds out that his father was killed. Than Leiv go's on board another ship and that ship sinks. Than Leiv drifts to a beach in Greenland and Narua and Apuluk find him.

 Leiv is angry at the person who killed his father.

Leiv changes by surviving in the wild and understanding Apuluks language

Leiv tarted to understand and talk the natives language. He also didn't miss Iceland anymore.He also makes peace with the person who killed his father.

RATING:  *****

Elischa

TIME TRAVELER #4: THE AMAZING BEN FRANKLIN by Peter Lerangis

Basically more than 200 years ago Ben Franklin tried to prove  that lighting is electricity with a key and a kite.

Ben struggled to prove that lighting is electricity nature.

Ben Franklin tried to prove that lighting is electricity and did it with a kite and a key.

At first the people said that lighting was not electricity but then Ben proves them wrong he gets creative and then uses a kite and a key and proved that lightning is electricity.

In baseball I tried to prove that I could hit a home run after some practice and hard work I hit a home run!

RATING: ***


   Will

GHOST AT THE WINDOW by Margaret McAllister

Genre: mystery

        This book is about a boy named Ewan. He is a normal boy who lives in a not so normal, historical house with his not so normal parents. This house is so old that Ewan and his guardians can see the past through it. However, the past can't see them, or at least not all of it can. And one ghost comes to seek help.

Ewan Dart is the main character in this story.

        Ewan's conflict was that this ghost needed to be set free into "The Light." However, whenever he tried to help, it didn't work. Something was blocking their way. Soon, Ewan figures out what that something is that's keeping the door to "The Light" and the mysterious jammed closet door in his bedroom, closed... fear.

        The main character changed throughout the story because, at first, Ewan did not want to help this girl ghost at all, but soon, it was all that his mind was set on. He was determined to find out what this mystery is and also how this soul died.

         This main character reminds me some what of myself because, sometimes, if I have my mind set on something, I will never give up on it.

****
Katherine

THE MYSTERY OF THE THIRD LUCRETIA by Susan Runholt

Kari and Lucas travel to London where they see a man who is copying a painting who they already see in Minneapolis is in a art museum. They spy on that man and learn he is doing something illegal.What happens
next? Read and find out.

The main character struggles with the Gallery Guy
Lucas and Kari struggle with the gallery guy who suspect is copying artwork. They almost even get killed trying to find out.

In the beginning, the girls spy on the man for fun and are very confident, but by the end they are both scared and almost get killed.

It reminded me of the Boston bombings and how whatever the crime it is, it  hurts someone.

RATING: ****

Vishal

CAPTURE THE FLAG BY Kate Messner

A secret society steals the flag that inspired the well known song the star spangled banner. Three

 kids Anna,Jose and, Henry go to find it.All of their parents are part of a art protecting society called the silver jaguar society and all of them are related to famous artists and engineers.Will they find the flag in time?

Anna,Jose and,Henry struggle with who might be the biggest art thief EVER.

The biggest conflict they go through is with snake arm a man with giant muscles and a snake tattoo.When they get chased the are about to get caught when they find a giant bottle of shampoo and squirt him in the face!

Henry definitely changed from being a mad kid who hogged an outlet to a crime fighting kid.

Their struggles did not remind me of any of my ordeals in real life

I rate this book ****

 Logan