Up Close: Oprah Winfrey by Ilene Cooper



Up Close: Oprah Winfrey by Ilene Cooper

Genre: Biography

Rating: 4 Stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Oprah Winfrey has been through both successful and devastating events. Oprah's childhood was very poor, and her teenage years were horrible. But Oprah counted on her talent and that is why she now has her own show, and is very rich. Many famous people came from a poor life go on to have a successful life. Oprah made it through her poor childhood, and into the life she's been dreaming for.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Genre: Mythology

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Percy Jackson is a demigod, meaning he is half human and half god. Percy's dad is Poseidon, god of the seas. Percy's power is water. Percy goes to Camp Half-Blood with a satyr, Grover. A satyr is part human and part goat or horse. Grover is half human, half goat. Percy, Grover, and a girl from camp called Annabeth go on a quest to find Zeus's lightning bolt. They go through many difficult places. The three of them must save the bolt before the summer solstice. Will they? Who stole the lightning bolt!? An exciting novel full of mythology!

The Sea Of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Genre: Mythology

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Percy Jackson has just finished the 7th grade without getting expelled and without getting in trouble. Percy meets a Cyclops, Tyson. Percy, Tyson, and Annabeth return to Camp Half-Blood. Percy's father, god of the seas, claims Tyson as a son. Percy is furious. Meanwhile, someone poisoned Thalia's tree. Thalia is daughter of Zeus. Zeus is god of the sky. They blame Chiron, the activities director for poisoning Thalia's tree. So they have a new director, Tantalus. The camp is a wreck. Clarisse, daughter of Ares who is the god of war, Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson go to save Grover, a satyr who is half human and half goat. They also get the magic fleece; its magical powers could heal anything. A terrific sequel to The Lightning Thief, book one of the series. I recommend reading book one first to start your mythological journey.

Isaac Newton by Kathleen Krull

Genre: World Theme

Rating: 3 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Isaac Newton discovered calculus, gravity, and much more. He was born on Christmas Day, 1642, in England. Hannah, Newton's mom, did not care that much for Newton's education. Instead, she wanted him to work on the farm. Newton strongly disagreed. Luckily, Hannah's brother, William was here to help. He gave Newton an education. Newton later went to Trinity College. Newton was always studious. But only when people started reading his many published scientific and math articles did they start to understand the knowledge of science and math.

Jack: The Early Years of John F. Kennedy by Ilene Cooper

Genre: Biography

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

John F. Kennedy was a very sick child. He was the second child of nine children. John's nickname was Jack. Jack was clever, brave, smart, and mischievous. He went to Harvard. Later, he became President of the USA. Sadly, he was shot in Dallas, Texas. Jack's life was full of happy, sad, and sly events.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

13 year old Salamanca Tree goes on the route her mother did along with gramps and gram. Sal tells about Phoebe Winterbottom's story along the way. Phoebe was one of Sal''s friends. This Newbery Award is touching, full of sadness, and humorous. I LOVED it!

Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall by Wendy Mass

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

16 year old Tessa suffers from a major dodge ball accident. Tessa ends up winding in the mall, which she thinks is heaven. Tessa goes through the important stuff she bought at the mall and tells that important thing's story. Finally, Tessa realizes something super important about life; she discovers who she really is. As this novel goes through Tessa's most important events, it also teaches a lesson, read to find out!

T he Good Master by Kate Seredy

Genre: World Theme

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Jancsi's cousin Kate is spoiled, weak, and sly. Kate's father is hoping Kate will become more respectful. She comes to visit Jancsi's family on a farm in Hungary. At first, Jancsi and Kate do not get along very well. Kate is clever and mischievous and does a lot of sly things. But later, Kate learns and becomes a wonderful farm helper. Jancsi and Kate turn out to be the best of friends. They are there for one another during the hard times. Kate and Jancsi learn many new things. This story is a fantastic classic!

Sun Signs by Shelley Hrdlitschka

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

15 years old Kaleigh Wyse is diagnosed with cancer. Kaleigh is doing a science project on astrology. Kaleigh communicates with her distant study buddies, who help her with her project. But soon, Kaleigh finds out that 2 out of her 3 online friends are liars. They gave Kaleigh fake information. This book is written in e-mail, as they send e-mails back and forth.

The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan

Genre: Mythology

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

The Demigod Files includes 3 of Percy Jackson's most dangerous adventures, interviews with 5 demigods, and much more. It also shows a map of Camp-Half blood. You will be on the edge of your seat when you read about 3 dangerous Percy Jackson adventures. You will love it! This is a must have guide to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

The Nobel Prize by Michael Worek

Genre: Nonfiction

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

This is a story of Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize. The Nobel Prize is a prize for physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. There are 4 categories: science, literature, peace, and economics. Many people have received the Nobel Prize, including 4 U.S. presidents. The Nobel Prize is now more than $1.4 million dollars.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Genre: Mythology

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Jason Grace, Piper Mc Lean, and Leo Valdez are on a quest. Jason's memory is lost, in order for Jason to get his memory back, they have to free Hera. Meanwhile, Piper's dad, Tristan Mc Lean has been missing. Can Jason restore his memory? Will they succeed the quest?

Kristi Yamaguchi by Sam Wellman

Genre: Biography

Rating: 3 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Kristi Yamaguchi is a professional figure skater. Kristi was born on July 12, 1971, with deformed feet. Kristi took dancing and skating lessons to help fix her feet. Life was not easy for Kristi; she had to practice a few hours per day for 5 or 6 days of the week. A great biography about Kristi Yamaguchi!

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah

Genre: World Theme

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Adeline Yen's family blamed Adeline for bad luck, after her mother died giving birth to her. The worst part is that her father remarries. Adeline's stepmother hates Adeline. Adeline also has plenty of siblings, both brothers and sisters. Adeline is closest to her Aunt Baba. But Adeline's stepmother, Niang, separates them. Adeline feels unwanted. No one includes her, no one cares for her, and no one thinks she exists. Adeline is the top student in her class. The only way to make her father even notice her is to study and earn prizes. A very touching biography!

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Zoe Elias wanted a piano. But unfortunately her dad got her an organ. Zoe is a single child. She has lessons with Miss Person. Miss Person invites Zoe to perform at the Perform-O-Rama. Can Zoe make it?

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

Genre: World Theme

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Abby Carson is in 6th grade in Illinois. She is failing 6th grade. Mrs. Beckland asks Abby to do an Extra Credit project. Abby's project is to write a letter to someone in Afghanistan. Abby's pen pal is Amira. In some parts of Afghanistan, there is war going on. But in Amira's village, it is all mountainous. In Illinois, it is all fields. Abby and Amira write letters back and forth and write about life. But something in Afghanistan is going on that will change everything. A great book!

Witch Child by Celia Rees

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 2 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

At the beginning of the novel, I was excited. The book did draw me in. But, as I read on, the book is simply a list of all the bad things that happens to the witch child. After finishing the book, the story wasn't bad. But, I didn't enjoy having to fight through the dense middle.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Where the Red Fern Grows is a tale of a boy and his two hound dogs. They have a strong bond, and understand each other better than they understand other of their own species. The book tells of Billy, the owner of the two dogs and all the things he went through to buy the hounds. It also tells the adventures they had together. Memories, joy, sadness, and friendship blend together in this excellent novel, worth reading.

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Humor

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Vince Luca might appear normal at first sight, but when you get to know him, you start to realize how messed up his life really is. Against what others know, Vince's father is not in the vending machine business. He's really the head of a mafia group. Things start to get really complicated when he begins dating Kendra, who knows nothing about his father's business (and it's important it stays that way). Soon, once learning a deep secret, he starts to wonder how much he really knows about his family. A gripping and suspenseful novel, with a sprinkle of humor.

Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park

Genre: World Theme

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Julia Song is reluctant to raise silkworms, an entirely Korean project, for her AMERICAN Wiggle Club. Soon, she becomes a secret spy against this project which her best friend is all up for. But, once she becomes attached to the project in ways she never could have imagined, it's up to her make the final decision. Should they go through with the project or not? Read the book to find out!

21 Proms by Multiple Authors

Genre: Short Stories

Rating: 2 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

In 21 Proms, by 21 different authors, the different stories were all different in strangeness (for lack of a better word). Some are awful, like the one about dating an ape, or the one in some sort of slang language. However, others are actually quite fun to read, like the Morp, or the girl who originally has no date to the prom, and ends up with three (by accident). Overall, the book had more bad stories than good. I wouldn't recommend reading it.

Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 2 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

The book was well written and interesting to read, but it had one of my least favorite endings. You know, the kind where it's happy, but not totally? The kind of ending that leaves you with this feeling of sadness, while there still might be some hope, but not enough to cover for all of the sadness? There are also some very awkward moments throughout the book. Overall, I wish I hadn't read it.

I So Don't Do Spooky by Barrie Summy

Genre: Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Sherry Baldwin and her best friend Junie are trying to find the stalker who is stalking Sherry's stepmom (aka The Ruler). Sherry's real mom was a cop, but she died in an accident. Sherry's grandpa had a heart attack and died. Sherry's real mom and grandpa are in the Academy of Spirits, where they work on mysteries. It's unbelievable that they're ghosts and Sherry can still talk to them. Meanwhile, Sherry has a crush on Josh Morton, a cute and popular 8th grader at her school. Josh also has a crush on Sherry. This book is a mysterious yet romantic novel. Read the other novels in these series, the I So Don't Do Series.

I So Don't Do Famous by Barrie Summy

Genre: Mystery

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Sherry Baldwin is 13 years old and she lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her stepmother, her brother Sam, and her dad. Because she won the love essay contest, Sherry wins a trip to Hollywood to meet Dear Elle. Sherry brings her dad and one of her friends, Junie Dixon. But, when they get to Hollywood, they find out that someone stole Dear Elle's diamond purse! Will they find who stole the purse?

I So Don't Do Makeup by Barrie Summy

Genre: Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Sherry Baldwin, her family, ghosts, and her friends try to solve a mystery. Who is, behind Naked Makeup's back, defecting Naked Makeup’s products? Will Amber and Lacey, who work at the kiosk, keep their job? Will Sherry succeed? An awesome romance/ mystery story!

I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy

Genre: Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Sherlock Holmes Baldwin, Sherry, is helping her ghost mom solve a mystery. Sherry lives with her dad and her brother Sam. Sherry goes to Saguaro Middle School in Phoenix, Arizona. Sherry's best friend, Junie Carter, and her cousin Amber help Sherry. Meanwhile, Sherry also has a boyfriend named Josh Morton. Can they solve the mystery? This is the first book of the I So Don't Do series.

Winner Takes All by Jenny Santana

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Review Written by Someone in Grade 6

Celia Martinez wants to run for 7th grade representative. But Celia is not popular enough, and Celia thinks that she'll never win. So Celia convinces her best friend Mariela Cruz to run. Mariela is popular, and Celia thinks that her best friend will have a good chance of winning. Mariela just got the lead for the drama play and she has to memorize her lines. Celia will be Mariela's campaign manager and she'll do all the work. But they are running against Lazaro Crespi and his campaign managers, Raul are also running. Who will win? A very intense campaign novel! The final results, who will be the 7th grade representative?

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