Kids Books - Life

Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness series Book 1)

Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness series Book 1)

By Tamora Pierce

Alanna: The First Adventure Book Review Alanna: The First Adventure, which is the first book in the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce, is the only book I have ever read in one day, despite my usual reading speed not being the fastest. Alanna is a younger identical twin, her older twin being her brother Thom. The twins have a problem in this book; Thom wants to study magic, though he’s being sent off to be a page and later a knight, and Alanna wants to become a knight one day, not study magic. She and Thom get into an argument, which precedes Alanna getting an idea. Her idea is to switch places, though it will be tricky to pull off, since they’re of the opposite sex. Thom is denying her idea, stating many reasons on why he thinks that it may not work. Finally he says, “What about Coram and Maude? They’ll be travelling with us, and they can tell us apart. They know we aren’t twin boys.” Coram is a soldier and swordsmith. The village healer, Maude, taught the pair of twins the basics of magic, and Coram is supposed to be traveling with Thom, while Maude traverses with Alanna. They contemplate many different ways to approach this carefully, to avoid getting caught. I liked that Tamora Pierce constructed the book to have Coram find out immediately that it’s Alanna and not Thom, but since Alanna knows some magic, and Coram dislikes magic, she threatens to use magic on him, blackmailing him if he tells anyone. It gives a sense of how much she hopes that she’ll be able to pull it off. They continue their journey to the castle, which made me joyful that it was included in the book—as some authors completely skip over instances like this—and when they reach it, Alanna is nervous, which adds realism to this book. There’s not really a lot in this book that I can say I didn’t like. I would have liked more exploration of the castle to be included. Was it majestic? Did it feel warm? Despite this, it does allow for my own imagination to be put into the story as I read this, the first book of the quartet. However, it is nice to have the author put her own idea of what most of the castle looks like, what it feels like to Alanna to be inside the castle—whose twin brother was actually supposed to be the one there—looking at the exterior and interior of the castle. In conclusion, I would undoubtedly recommend this book to people who enjoy high fantasy, as it is very layered. The plot is not hard to keep track of as it comes to one, which allows for one to read a couple other books, along with this one.

When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered

By Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed

for years, Omar has stayed at the refugee camp because of the war. At the camp, he has to defend his disabled brother Hassan constantly, there's not enough food and nothing to do. Also, Omar and Hassan have been hoping to see their mother again, but they have had zero luck so far. For almost seven years, the two brothers have stayed at the camp. But when he grows up, Omar wants to do more than sit around in the camp, waiting. Instead, he desperately wishes to become a social worker and help people like him. But the UN has to specially pick his brother and he so that he can go somewhere else. But there are so many people, it seems like he won't ever be chosen. Throughout the story, Omar learns many important lessons on life, like to trust people to defend themselves, ignoring what others say about you, and having hope

Sisters

Sisters

By Raina Telgemeier

I love this book out of all I think that this book is my 2nd favorite book. I love that there are flashbacks, I think it's really cool that it tells you the past that connects to the future. I also love that it shows that sisters never get along all the time. It also shows that even if sisters usually disagree they can always come to an understanding sooner or later. I think that this a great book and I love all her books. I love the art style. In conclusion I give this book a 5 stars.

El Deafo

El Deafo

By Cece Bell

Cece Bell, just a girl who tries to hide her hearing loss but with her old hearing aids, it's not always that easy, and she's tried to pass as a hearing person but she struggled with her deaf pride. Her friends, Emma Knight (only seen in first part of the story), Laura (been friends since 1st grade), Ginny W. (She's over-enancies her speech as she talks with Cece.), Martha C. (Friends since the summer of around 1980s.), and Mike Miller (Cece's friend and crush). Moving to new and different schools isn't always easy, she don't know bunch of kids there or over there. I just love of how there are bunnies replacing the people throughout Cece's book, it's so cute and interesting at the same time. El Deafo is based on true story of Cece Bell herself. I'm Deaf myself and I'm proud of my identity and I would love to see everyone else embrace their identities, either Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or just simply Hearing, you are so special and don't let anyone deny that about you. - Happy Reading!

A Night Divided

A Night Divided

By Jennifer A. Nielsen

Gerta's family is split. Gerta, Gerta's mom, and one of Gerta's brothers are on the east side, and Gerta's dad and Gerta's other brother are on the west side. The wall divides them. Earlier that week, Gerta's brother and dad went over to the west side to look for work, but the wall went up before they could get back, dividing their family. People try to escape from the west, but the soldiers are not afraid to kill. Even after its been up for a year, Gerta still finds herself staring at the wall, wishing she was on the other side. One day when she was walking to school, Gerta sees her brother and dad for the first time since the wall went up. Her dad does a silly dance they used to do together, but he keeps emphasizing on the "dig" part. After other clues come, Gerta concludes that her dad wants her to tunnel across to the west side, along with her mom and brother. But the bloodthirsty soldiers could very well end Gerta's life, so the risk is huge. But since this is her only chance to get across. Gerta and her brother Fritz try to tunnel their way to freedom, with many challenges and consequences along the way. This page turning book will keep your heart beating, and you can really feel Gerta's emotions. I love this book SO MUCH, and I know you will too. I recommend this book to boys and girls ages 9+.

Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends: (A Graphic Novel)

Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends: (A Graphic Novel)

By Pascal, Francine

This book is amazing! How two sixth-grade-twins take on middle school and grow apart a little. And it adds a twist of laughter ever time.

My Best Frenemy (Friends for Keeps)

My Best Frenemy (Friends for Keeps)

By Julie Bowe

october

I like the book .I am not fineshed, but I am egar to finish it now.

Best Friends

Best Friends

By Shannon Hale

Title: Best Friends Author: Shannon Hale Genre: Auto Biography I would give this novel a 5/5 because it really shows what it's like to have struggles in 6th grade. It also shows that not everybody is supposed to be perfect. One thing I found interesting about this book is how Shannon denied Jenny when she asked to be in the group two times yet she still hangs out with them. Another thing I found interesting is how Jen made Shannon's group back into the group again which is very unfair to Shannon because she tried to start over. Lastly I would recommend this book for grades 3rd to 6th because it takes place in sixth grade but a 2nd grader wouldn't get it because they don't really understand this sort of concept and what the group is.

Ungifted

Ungifted

By Gordon Korman

Firstly this was an awesome book. Gordon Korman did a great job, as always. Donovan Curtis is an average guy, total class clown and does weird things. After he breaks part of a statue as a prank, he gets “accidentally” sent off to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction when his principal makes a screw-up. The Academy has kids over 150+ IQ, including Noah Youkilis, who has an IQ of 206. But what these kids don’t know despite their amazing IQ, is how to be normal. When Donovan arrives, he does not achieve good grades and is not the gifted student he is “supposed” to be, but instead introduces a new level to the Academy kids. He introduces YouTube to Noah who ends up getting addicted to it, and Chloe Garfinkle may even have a small crush on him. The team is working on a new robot for a competition, and Donovan does not know ANYTHING about robotics but surfs Google for stickers to stick on the robot... (which Donovan named Heavy Metal Metallica Squarepants) but skilfully operates the joystick controlling Heavy Metal. Once his principal realises his mistake, he immediately sends Donovan back to his original school. The Academy kids realise they need Donovan more than ever now. But what could they do about it? Read Ungifted to find out!

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (Junie B. Jones, No. 1)

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (Junie B. Jones, No. 1)

By Barbara Park

Meet Junie B. Jones!! "The B. Stands for Beatrice. Except I don't like Beatrice, I like B. and that's all." It’s the first day of kindergarten. But Junie B. did not like riding the bus to school. She thinks its scary and that meanie ol' Jim rides that bus. Only guess what? Junie B. is an excellent hider. So, at the end of the day when everyone lines up to go home . . . . but Junie B. Jones finds her way out of riding the bus, and doesn’t get on. I really liked this book, it kind of reminded me of my kindergarten years, both of my parents worked so they couldn't take me to school. I was really scared about the bus, but I saw some of my friends on there and felt pretty comfortable. I love Barbra parks she is a GREAT author!!!!!

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