Latest Kids Book Reviews

Pip, a young orphan living with his older sister and her husband, longs for a better life, one that would make him eligible for marrying the woman of his dreams, Estella. After he is finally given a chance to become a true gentleman, Pip learns important lessons regarding the influence of money and how it can change a person, for the better or for the worse….Great Expectations begins with seven-year-old Pip, a young orphan boy living with his ill-tempered sister and her kind husband, Joe. An aspiring blacksmith apprentice under Joe, Pip yearns for the moment when he and Joe can work in the forge together. But his dreams are quickly erased upon being introduced to Miss Havisham. An eccentric individual who hopes for nothing more than ruining the lives of men as her life was ruined by a man, Miss Havisham invites Pip to her home. Curiously enough, all Miss Havisham wants to watch Pip play with Miss Havisham’s beautiful adopted daughter, Estella. Estella, despite her beauty and charisma, is spoiled and crass much like Miss Havisham. However, despite her poor treatment toward Pip and her undeniable dislike for him, Pip is immediately taken by her beauty and dreams of marrying her. Unfortunately for Pip, he knows that such dreams are far out of reach unless his circumstances change and he becomes an honorable man. An opportunity comes when Mr. Jagger, a lawyer from London, reports to Pip that an anonymous benefactor has given him a large sum of money and hopes for him to create a good life for himself in London. The only conditions are that, one, Pip always is referred to as “Pip”, and two, the identity of the benefactor must remain a secret. Agreeing to the terms, Pip sets out to London for a better life. In London, Pip immediately adapts nicely into his new living conditions. Pip enjoys the pleasures of wealth and the respect and honor that comes along with the large allowance. Unfortunately, Pip, becoming too used to his life and forgetting to live within his means, falls into exponential debt. His wild and expensive life seems to be unraveling as quickly as it began until the arrival of Abel Magwitch. Magwitch, an old convict that once forced Pip to steal as a young boy, is Pip’s generous benefactor. It soon becomes clear, nevertheless, that Magwitch is in severe trouble and must leave London before authorities are notified. Now, Pip must think of a plan that will allow for Magwitch to escape while still keeping Pip’s name clear of any association with the former convict. Along with the predicament involving Magwitch, Pip’s notion that all he had to do to get Estella’s affection was to become a gentleman, is quickly foiled upon meeting Estella once again in London. Engaged to be married and looking at Pip as no more than a chauffeur, Pip realizes that any chance he might have had with Estella have vanished. The book concludes with Estella and Pip meeting once again after about eleven years. Estella, humbled but still exuding beauty and grace, admits to Pip that she threw away his love for her because of her ignorance and pride. The book ends emotionally with the two walking with the shadow of Miss Havisham behind them. Through this story, applications for our lives include the importance of keeping money in check but not an idol and the importance of not thinking ourselves better than others because of our fortunate circumstances. Pip realizes that “Miss Havisham and Estella, their riches and refinement, has changed me permanently!”. The importance of money and the consequences of making it an item for worship is clearly illustrated in this book and warnings are pronounced evidently. Not thinking ourselves higher than other people is also a clear lesson from this story. Estella, seemingly well-to-do and beautiful, had a repulsive attitude towards those she deemed below her. However, at the end of the book, the reader is able to see that, through the challenges of life, Estella had a change in perspective and was humbled. She stated towards the end of the book that “My suffering all these years has come to be a stronger teacher to me than all other teachers. I have been bent and broken, but I hope into a better shape." Her honest and moving words are perhaps the hallmark of this entire book. With its many twists and turns, I would strongly encourage one to not write off this book as an old, non-relevant to modern times story, as I did before I read it. Despite being written in the 1860s, however, Charles Dickens masterfully captures a timeless issue in today’s society: money. Although perhaps not as exciting as a twenty-first century novel, this book has stood the test of time and after reading it, it will become clear why. With that being said, Great Expectations is most definitely a must read because of its important lessons and creative characters. Happy reading!

The main character Jonas lives in the future, in a small Community. It is a place without pain, where people are formal and have carefully outlined procedures for things, ranging from Rituals of Loss to Acceptances of Apologies. They follow rules or are formally chastised, or are even punished with the despised "Release", such a mark on the reputation of the family that is never talked about, when it is used as a punishment. On the day of the Ceremony of Twelve, where everyone is given their Assignment, which they have no say in, and which they will keep on doing for the rest of their life, Jonas is chosen to see beyond, acting as the Reciever. The Reciever is the one who holds the memories of countless generations. He is respected, as he holds the most important job of all, but the community rarely uses him. Instead, they usually persist in their traditions. As the Receiver in training, Jonas is given memories by the wise old Giver, the former Reciever. There is pain, but there is also love. As the memories keep coming, Jonas realizes things. He questions the world that he was brought up in. He grows more and more aware of how no one else in the society is like him or the Giver, and realizes that they are all like robots: brought up to not feel, to be precise in their language, and to have no emotions. He begins to wonder if everyone, not just him, should have feelings and emotions. But what can just two people do to change a society? I loved this book. The writing style, overall, was very direct, like the society itself, but the message was the more important part: it was really thought provoking, especially the end. Another perk is that the book was short, just 168 pages in my edition, so you can finish it in just a few days. I highly recommend this to dystopian lovers, but I could see how those who like fast-paced books such as The Hunger Games would prefer other books.

Jacob "Jake" Cullen, a fellow eighth grader at Granger Middle School in Texas, playing as a quarterback (QB) for Granger High school varsity team. His father and older brother, Troy and Wyatt used to be a quarterbacks at both Granger High and Longhorns. For all of his life, he been living under two shadows and Troy, the father made Jake feels like he is not worth more than Wyatt. His crush ever since the school had started, Sarah Rayburn, the cheerleader and a friend of Jake. His friends; Nate Collins, Casey Lindell, Calvin Morton, etc who are in football team, too. - Happy Reading!

Wow. This book was amazingly written. These stories r so interesting that I finish these books and only an hour! It keeps making the readers wanting more and more. Luckily there r so many more books for me to read in this series! Ok so this book is abt how Violet (the inventor age 14) Klaus (the reader age 12) and Sunny ( the bitter age..baby..?) move into a new home. After what count Olaf did to them at their old home,Mr. Poe, that has been finding new guardians for them, found their uncle Monty. His name is Montgomery Montgomery. But the kids call him uncle Monty because he doesn't like his name. He is a snake scientist and he has an entire room full of adventurous snakes. When the kids moved in,they settled very quickly, bc their uncle Monty is so kind and thoughtful. Until Monty hires a new assistant, but little did he know it was Count Olaf in disguise as Stephano! Count Olaf tried everything to take the kids,even trying to take them to peru! After his plans never seam to work,olaf gets two needles together,adds poisonous deadly snake venom,and kills uncle monty. The kids know it was him,but bc the needles look like snake bits,they have no proof. Instead, they r sitting there crying abt there uncle Monty, and thinking abt the lasts moments they had together. What happens next is crazy, but I don't want to spoil it so read this one to find out! Love this book I totally recommend it! 5 stars

OMG. This book is literally amazing. I read all the books,watched the movie,and the show. The books have so much detail and so interesting. This book is abt 3 kid who's parents r rich. One-day the kids parents died and violet the eldest gets to have their fortune when she comes of age. She has a brother Klaus and a sister sunny. They move in a house with their new guardian Count Olaf. He is a literal rat lol and he makes them do chores and feed his troupe. He trys to marry violet to steal their fortune. All he wants is their fortune and he will do WHATEVER it takes to get it. Even if it means killing a new guardian that takes them in....but u will have to read part two to find out. Ik I haven't been on the website for a few years but I 100% recommend this book to teens that love mysterious books. This is very good I rate all the books and show and movie 5 stars. Go read rn!