Featured Book Review • November 30, 2009

 

This review is by Scholastic News reader Kaylan N. from California

Do you enjoy historical fiction? Then read Run Away Home.

This story is set in the 1800s. It's about a girl named Sarah Jane Crossman. Sarah's father was an African slave and her mother is part Seminole Indian. Though slavery has ended, many people in the book are still prejudiced against people like Sarah and her parents.

The Crossmans and an American Indian teen named Sky fight for their rights. Read this book for a peek into the past.

 

Featured Book Review • November 16, 2009

This review is by Scholastic News Reader Harrison R. from California.

Do you like mystery and adventure? Then read The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart.

Four children—two boys and two girls—pass a mind-bending series of tests and are accepted at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. Then, the school’s mysterious owner, Mr. Benedict, sends them on a dangerous mission. Will these friends survive?

Featured Book Review • November 9, 2009

This review is by Scholastic News reader Lydia S. from Ohio

Do you love suspenseful adventure stories? Then Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is the book for you!

Brian Robeson's parents just got divorced. Before Brian leaves to visit his father, his mother gives him a hatchet, or a small ax, as a gift. When Brian's plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, he is forced to learn how to survive with nothing more than his hatchet. Will Brian be rescued? Read this book to find out!

Featured Book Review October 26, 2009

This review is by Scholastic News Reader Haley R. from South Dakota.

In Knights of the Lunch Table, Artie King wants to fit in at Camelot Middle School. He has two best friends, Percy and Wayne, and a cool science teacher, Mr. Merlyn.

But Artie has bully problems too. Mo and the Horde are bullies who rule the school.

Artie breaks into a locker never before opened, not even by Mo, and finds neat stuff. Horrified, Mo challenges Artie and friends to a dodgeball game. It's on!

Featured Book Review October 19, 2009

This review is by Scholastic News reader Aaron L. of California.

If you like adventure and Greek mythology, check out The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan.

The main character, Percy Jackson, is the son of a Greek god and a human. Percy and his friends go on a quest to the Sea of Monsters to save Percy's best friend, a satyr named Grover, who is in danger. The friends are also trying to save Camp Half-Blood, a camp for demigods. They face many dangers, including an evil cyclops!

Featured Book Review: October 5, 2009

This review is by Scholastic News reader Kathy F. of New York.

If you're looking for a nice laugh, I think you should read Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.

It's about Greg Heffley, a sixth-grader known in his diary as the "wimpy kid."

In the diary, Greg writes about his troubles with bullies, fitting in, his family, school, and jobs. He also includes funny comments and comic strip illustrations. I think kids will find this book to be funny. Read it if you want a good laugh.

Featured Book Review: September 28, 2009

This review is by Scholastic News reader Thomas J. of Massachusetts.

Do you like books with action? If so, you should read The Five Ancestors: Tiger by Jeff Stone.

It's about a boy named Fu and his five orphan brothers.

Fu, "the tiger," is the book's main character. Each brother's name stands for a certain animal strength. The animal represents their style of kung fu, which is a type of martial art.

When one of the brothers takes a valuable training scroll, Fu is on a mission to get it back. Read the book to find out what happens to Fu and the others.

Have you read Tiger? What did you think of the book? Did you like it? Why or why not? Share your thoughts here on the Scholastic News Edition 4 Book Reviews blog!

Featured Book Review: September 14, 2009

This review is by Scholastic News reader Sabrina C. of Massachusetts.

If you like adventure and fantasy, you will like Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.

It's about a 12-year-old girl named Meggie and her father, Mo. Meggie's father has a strange ability. When he reads aloud from books, the characters come to life. Mo reads from a book also called Inkheart and accidentally brings to life the most evil character of all, Capricorn.

Capricorn captures Mo and puts his life in danger. Read the book to find out what happens to Mo and if he escapes!

Have you read Inkheart? What did you think of the book? Did you like it? Why or why not? Share your thoughts here on the Scholastic News Edition 4 Book Reviews blog!

Featured Book Review: September 7, 2009

This review is by Scholastic News reader Danbry V. of Massachusetts

Football Nightmare by Matt Christopher is an awesome book. It's about a football player, Keith Stedman, who is very hard on himself for dropping the winning pass during a championship game. His family tries encouraging him to keep playing. But he has his doubts. Read it to find out if he will
play again.

This book teaches a valuable lesson: To not just do what other people want you to do, but to instead do what you really want to do. I would recommend it because it was an exciting and humorous read.

Have you read Football Nightmare? What did you think of the book? Did you like it? Why or why not? Share your thoughts here on the Scholastic News Edition 4 Book Reviews blog!