Featured Book Review • May 10-17, 2010

Reviewed by Scholastic News reader Erin F. of Texas

Esperanza Ortega is an only child and the main character in Esperanza Rising, a book by Pam Muñoz Ryan.

Esperanza lives with her family on their ranch in Mexico. After her father is killed, her uncles try to take over her family's land. Esperanza and her mother escape to California, where they must do difficult farm- work. Her mother becomes very ill. How will Esperanza cope with the changes? Will her life be changed forever?

Featured Book Review • April 26, 2010

Reviewed by Scholastic News reader Taylor B. of Illinois

Ever wonder what it’s like to be stranded on an island? If so, then Roxie and the Hooligans by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is the book for you.

Roxie loves to read her uncle's book about surviving tough situations. But what will happen when a playground chase goes wrong and leaves Roxie and the Hooligans, a group of school bullies, stranded on an island? Read the book, which is full of humor and bravery, to find out!

Featured Book Review • April 12, 2010

Reviewed by Scholastic News reader Natalie K. of Kentucky

If you like stories with adventure and detectives, then Chasing Vermeer is the book for you!

This novel by Blue Balliett is about two sixth-grade students who become friends on a trip to a museum. When a famous painting is mysteriously stolen, the two friends go on an adventure to find it, piecing together clues left by the thief.

Will they solve the puzzle and find the painting? Read the book to find out!

Featured Book Review • April 5, 2010

Reviewed by Scholastic Kid Reporter Maya Williams

The book Grow is like a long poem divided into chapters. You may not be used to reading a whole story in verse, but you can feel things in poetry that no normal sentence could express.

The story is narrated by Kate Sibley, a 12-year-old girl who happens to be overweight. Kate wants to help Berneetha, a special-education teacher, plant a community garden in a vacant lot.

After planting, Kate, Berneetha, and their neighbors learn that the garden is going to be torn up and replaced by a parking garage.

I liked this book because the characters have the same worries that a lot of us have, like having something taken.

Read Maya's interview with Grow author Juanita Havill here.

Featured Book Review • March 22, 2010

Reviewed by Scholastic News reader Scott V. of Iowa

Do you love action-packed books? If you do, you should read Dirt Bike Racer by Matt Christopher.

While scuba diving, Ron and his friends find an abandoned dirt bike at the bottom of a lake. Ron brings the bike home. He saves up money so he can fix the bike and race it, with the help of a motorcycle pro.

Read this book to find out if Ron succeeds and gets to race!

Featured Book Review • March 15, 2010

This review is by Scholastic News Reader Lexi Cornell, Scholastic Kid Reporter

Can girls and boys stay friends? That is the question explored in The Trouble With Rules by Leslie Bulion. Nadie and Nick have been friends forever, but when they start fourth grade, they discover that boys and girls have a tough time staying friends. When Summer Crawford, a new girl, comes to their classroom, the rules change.

Nadie doesn’t trust Summer at first, and for good reason. The author describes why with funny and sometimes gross details. I’m in fourth grade and this book has all the ups and downs that fourth- graders go through every day. Nadie’s mom says it best: “Everyone figures out this growing up thing their own way.”

Featured Book Review • March 1, 2010

This review is by Scholastic News Reader Sarah C. from New York

The Haunting of Hillside School

Do you like mysteries? Do you like scary things? If you do, The Haunting of Hillside School (Cabin Creek Mysteries) by Kristiana Gregory is a perfect book for you.

The mystery begins right away when cousins Claire and David think they see a girl’s face appear and disappear outside a window of the spooky Hillside School. The cousins set out to investigate. Is the school really haunted? Read the book to find out!

Featured Book Review • February 15-22, 2010

 
This review is by Scholastic News Reader Marllie T. from California

Do you like mystery and adventure? Then you should read The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley.

This book is about two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm. They are sent to live with their grandmother, whom they barely know. There, they learn they are related to the Brothers Grimm and have to become fairy-tale detectives. They don’t believe it until Sabrina gets captured by a giant. Will she be rescued?

Featured Book Review • February 1, 2010

This review is by Scholastic News Reader Dana F. from New Mexico.

Do you like cats or talking animals? Then Warriors: Tigerstar and Sasha: Into the Woods is the book for you!

This book is about the adventures of a cat named Sasha. Sasha was abandoned by her owners. She wanders into the woods and befriends Tigerstar, leader of the Shadow Clan of cats. Sasha wonders if she can leave her old life behind and join his clan. But Tigerstar is secretive. Should Sasha trust him?

Featured Book Review • January 25, 2010

This review is by Scholastic News reader Grace K., from Kentucky

If you’re looking for a classic, read Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater.

Poor Mr. Popper has always dreamed of traveling to the Antarctic. He writes a letter to the famous Admiral Drake, who in return sends him a male penguin. Soon after, the admiral sends a female penguin, and the two penguins have 10 babies! How will the Poppers support their penguin family?

Featured Book Review • January 11, 2010

This review is by Scholastic News Reader Nathan R. from Illinois.

Do you love suspense stories? Then read Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix. It’s an exciting science fiction novel with a cliff-hanger ending.

Two of the main characters are Jonah and Chip, teens who were both adopted. The boys receive mysterious letters in the mail. The message: “You are one of the missing.” Both intrigued and frightened, Jonah and Chip set out on an adventure to discover their true identities.