Kids Books - Family
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
By J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter starts another year at Hogwarts, knowing it will never be the same. Voldemort's reign of terror is in full force. Dumbledore has been mysteriously leaving Hogwarts for personal business. And we have yet another Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. This time it's... SNAPE! Dumbledore has held Snape from teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts for a long time, but there is no other choice. Meanwhile, Dumbledore has recruited a new Potions teacher. Professor Horace Slughorn. Harry finds the old potions book of The Half-Blood Prince. With the new tips and tricks The Prince provides, he quickly becomes a potions whiz. The potions book not only holds tips for potions, but also made-up spells. Harry is brought with Dumbledore on a mission. A mission to find Horcruxes. Harry and Dumbledore come back, only to find Death Eaters in Hogwarts! What will happen next? You'll have to read the book to find out. I cried while reading this book. I LOVE HARRY POTTER!!!!! This book was absolutely stunning! This is my fourth time reading it, but my first time reviewing it. I love how J.K. Rowling is able to convey a story line that makes you think without getting you frustrated or confused. If the Harry Potter universe somehow came to life, I know Hermione and I would become instant BFF's. This book is great. Everyone should read it, especially if they like fantasy, but even if they don't they should give it a try!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
By J. K. Rowling
I haven't read this series in... forever... I read the whole series when I was in third grade... (PRESENT) but I was looking at my mini library... and I saw the thick hardcover book(I even blew out the dust on the cover :P)... and it brought back so many memories :)... I remembered watching the awesome movies (Emma Watson and the twins lol), and going to Orlando to go the World of Harry Potter... NOTE: YOU HAVE TO DRINK THE BUTTERBEER... IT'S AMAZING...I really wished they have something like this in Cali... but I heard they are going to make a Harry Potter World in Universal *squeal* and I am soooooooooooooooooo excited :-D... but now I'm kinda getting off topic... so back to the subject... I blew the dust... and I started reading it over... and this is a *a kind of a SPOILER* So Dumbledore passed away *sobbing* from Snape; and now there are so many sacrifices to protect Harry from the evil Voldemort... Like Mad Eye had passed away *tears* and one of the twins (Fred and George [my fave/hilarious characters] ) got really hurt... by using a potion to look like Harry...but they do arrive at the Burrow.... Anyways they are looking for the Hocruxes to officially get rid of Voldemort for good... Later on a wizard tell Harry, Ron, and Hermoine about the Deathly Hallows... So honestly I really do not want to spoil anything... but here it goes... a lot happens... so most of it there's a lot of action where some people (SPOILER) gets tortured... SPOILER: Also Snape was actually one of the good guys (my suspicion was actually correct... Some of my friends who read these series thought I was crazy :D) *yay...* Anyways they are still looking for the remaining Hocruxes... Will Harry and his friends find the Horcruxes before it is too late? Will Harry defeat Voldemort for good or will he strike back? Well it is up to you to read and find out... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS AMZING BOOK AND SERIES FROM THIS REALLY TALENTED AUTHOR!!! Hope you enjoy :-D!!!!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
By J.K. Rowling
How do you think it would feel to be the only one to stop a being of pure evil? In the book Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling.The protagonist is Harry Potter a teenage wizard boy who lives with his aunt and uncle. They treat him like he doesn’t even exist and his room is a cupboard under the stairs. The reason he lives with these horrible people is because his parents died at the hand of the antagonist Voldemort the greatest evil in the wizarding world. I find the book very interesting and descriptive. The author did a very well job making this book and this series in general. There are parts that made me quite sad as important things went on. Such as how someone very dear to Harry died right in front of him or how he has to struggle through having a very mean and evil teacher controlling Hogwarts. There are a lot of twists and times where you don’t know what to expect. J.K. Rowling created pure perfection in a paper back cover that will most likely live on and entertain many generations to come and withstand the test of time. Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix was a very thick book with eight hundred seventy pages and definitely not the last nor biggest book in the series. So far this book is my favorite and I recommend it to anyone looking for a great and long read. I believe J.K. Rowling did a amazing job in describing areas, characters and magical creatures in the book and the whole series. I also believe that this is straight from the heart and mind of the author and will inspire many whether it be adult or child to pursue their dreams and to never give up on what they believe in. The characters are all filled with such description from the way they speak to their dreams that they wish to come true. When you first introduced to characters you get a description of what their wearing, what they look like and how they seem to appear in stater. The ending was both wrapped up well and made me want to read more from the other books. I know I will feel sad when I finish the last two books, but I will feel happy to have read these books. I suggest this book to someone between the ages of 7 to adult because this book has odd words some people may not be able to pronounce.
Insurgent
By Veronica Roth
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
Swim That Rock
By John Rocco, Jay Primiano
This book looks so good for kids like late elementary schoolers and middle schooners.
Because Of Winn-Dixie
By Kate DiCamillo
I thought this book was good but not usually the type of book I would read. It has good storytelling but doesn't have a lot of action scenes. When I was reading it I felt bored sometimes because nothing excited was happening in that part. I liked this book because it always had questions running wild in my head. It is a book about a girl named Opal that just moved to a new town with her father. She feels very alone because she has no friends and her father is spending to much time on his job and not enough on her. Then she encounters a dog named Winn-Dixie and he changes her life. One of the things I most disliked about this book is I felt it took too long to get the climax and that the climax was really the only part with a lot of action and was exciting. The book itself is more intriguing than excited. One of the things I liked most about the book was how it always made me guess if something were to happen next or what was happing with a character that made him/her the way they are. I also liked how they kept teasing the return of a certain character and the result of the tease. All things considered, I would say the good thing outweighs the bad and it wasn't perfect so I think a 4-star rating if fair.
Mockingjay (The Hunger Games)
By Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collins delivers a stunning finale to "The Hunger Games" trilogy with "Mockingjay," a gripping and emotionally charged masterpiece that will leave readers breathless until the very end. From the outset, "Mockingjay" plunges us back into the dystopian world of Panem, where Katniss Everdeen finds herself thrust into the heart of a revolution. Collins masterfully weaves together themes of power, rebellion, and sacrifice, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply compelling. What sets "Mockingjay" apart is its unflinching portrayal of the consequences of war. As the rebellion intensifies and Katniss becomes the symbol of hope for a nation, we are confronted with the harsh realities of conflict: loss, betrayal, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Collins doesn't shy away from the complexities of war, and her characters grapple with their own moral dilemmas in a world where survival often comes at a great cost. At the heart of the story is Katniss Everdeen, a heroine whose strength and vulnerability captivate us from the very first page. As she navigates the treacherous landscape of revolution, Katniss undergoes a profound journey of self-discovery, grappling with her identity, her relationships, and her role in shaping the future of Panem. Her resilience in the face of adversity is both inspiring and heartbreaking, and readers will find themselves rooting for her until the very end. Collins' writing is as sharp and evocative as ever, transporting us effortlessly into the dystopian world of Panem. Her vivid descriptions and taut pacing keep the tension high throughout, culminating in a breathtaking finale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. "Mockingjay" is a testament to Collins' storytelling prowess, and it solidifies her place as one of the greatest YA authors of our time. In conclusion, "Mockingjay" is a triumphant conclusion to an unforgettable trilogy. With its richly drawn characters, powerful themes, and heart-stopping action, it's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Whether you're a fan of dystopian fiction or simply love a good story, "Mockingjay" is not to be missed. Highly recommended.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
By John Boyne
This book is set in World War ll and is about a young German boy by the name of Bruno. Bruno is forced to leave his home in Berlin for reasons no one will tell him. Bruno is very mad and upset about living somewhere completely different. He decides that he will try to make the best out of this situation. He comes across a boy on the other side of the fence whos name is Shmuel. Bruno doesn't exactly know why Shmuel is on a different side and why he can't come to Bruno's side. John Boyne does an amazing job capturing and displaying the emotions throughout the book. I give this book 5 stars because of the amazing and captivating writing.
The Red Umbrella
By Christina Gonzalez
This is the kind of book that will make you cry. I really loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It shows you an example of what some people have to go through in other countries. You really need to read this book.
The Cay
By Theodore Taylor
This was an sad yet interesting book. It gave a great message that under different colored skin, we are all the same. At some parts, I almost cried and at other parts, and was very happy. I don't want to give away to much, but here's a little summary. A white boy named Philip gets stranded on an island with a black man named Timothy. Philip has learned to stay away from black people, but Timothy is quite different. They go through extraordinary things together and grow fond of each other. I would recommend this book to 4-6 graders and to people who like adventure and historical fiction. I personally loved this book.









