The Sister Switch by Jane B. Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens: Review by Jackie L.

I read the book The Sister Switch by Jane B. Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens. The genre is realistic fiction. Its about two girls who are identical twins and Cait is the musical and good at school one and Andie is the sporty, social, hates math one. They both have wavy hair and blue eyes, but accept that they dress totally different, and have different hobbies. For example Cait cares what she wears and has all the accessories, but Andie likes to wear plain T-shirts, sweats, and her cleats. Because a gym test might prevent Cait from joining the Jazz Ensemble, and Andie switch. But they keep switching after they promised their best friend, Olivia that they would never do it again. Not because they wanted to, but it is harder to stop now that they are doing things they like, but as the other person. You would think it would be easy, but in this case its not. I think it was a fun, and interesting book. It kept me reading and wanting to know what would happen next. I would recommend this fun book to all girls looking for a great, and quick book to read!

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes: review by Sam A

"Flowers for Algernon", by Daniel Keyes, is the story of a 32 year old man named Charlie Gordon. Charlie is a mentally retarded adult that has to live a life with out the family he once knew. Being retarded he realizes that he doesn't have what most people do; he has a unusually low I.Q.. As a child Charlie was pushed over and over again to be like other people by his mother. But now that Charlie is grown up he has to live on his own. Charlie has taken classes, at the Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults, to learn how to read and write. Charlie wants to be smart because he believes, "If you're smart you can have lots of frends to talk to and you never get lonley by yourself all the time" [sic].

Charlie is picked to be the patient of an scientific surgery that scientists think may increase Charlie's intelligence. The only problem is, this surgery has never been performed on a human being. After the surgery Charlie thinks that now that he"s smart every one will like him and that his life will be great forever. But when he figures out that the surgery will only bring him trouble how will he be able to deal when he realizes that having the surgery done to him may slay him itself.

This is a great book filled with suspense, emotion, amazing writing, and a story of hope. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a great book in their hands.

The River- Gary Paulsen: Review by James M.

Brian Robesen is back! Yes, that is right. The amazing wilderness survivor Brian Robesen is returning to the woods on a government mission. His mission is to go back into the wilderness with a psychologist named Derek and survive again. Having learned of Brian's amazing survival skills, the government wants him to "teach them" how to survive in the woods so they can train military soldiers in-case they are lost or stranded. They will bring emergency food, a tent, a radio, pretty much "everything except the kitchen sink" (according to Derek). Suddenly Brian realizes that this situation is unlike one you would ever find yourself in after a real accident that would strand you in the woods. So, now that they have landed, Brian refuses to take the extra supplies and food in order to create a more realistic survival scenario. However, Derek persuades him to take the radio, some maps, and his journal. The first few days were great: perfect weather, a nice spot for base camp, and lots of food. There was one problem. Mosquitos. Every morning and every night they ate the two adventurers alive.

Derek and Brian knew the weather would go bad eventually, and it did. In a big way. It poured and poured and poured. Then lightning struck and Derek reached for the radio to call in help. At that moment lightning struck and Derek #@! #$%* <>"{ $ @#$^. Now Brian has to !@} )^* )# ? #%*()!^# before he >:~)!!! Wonder what the (^#@)_'s are read this exciting book to find out!

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld: Review by Natalie

I just read a great fantasy book about an alternate history called Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld. It's set right near the beginning of World War 1, in places like Austria, Switzerland, and the Leviathan. It's about two people, Alek and Deryn. Deryn is a 15-year-old girl who enters the British Air service, and has to hide the fact that she is female because girls are not allowed. Surprisingly, the British and their allies don't fly planes, they fly huge hydrogen-filled sea creatures! In this story, the great scientist Darwin discovered DNA and learned how to manipulate it to create unique creatures, for instance message lizards. They repeat orders and bring them to people in other places. The British are called Darwinists because they use Darwin's man-made animals to do many different things. The Leviathan is a giant flying whale airship that was specially designed so that it is possible to walk inside it, where there are rooms and more strange creatures. Alek is the prince of the Austro-Hungarian empire, but his parents are assassinated by the empire to start a war and he has to run away with his teachers. The Austro-Hungarians and their allies, nicknamed "Clankers" are the enemies of the Darwinists. They use mechanical things to do things, but they walk, instead of being on wheels or treads. Alek is also their enemy and to escape them he crosses the border into Switzerland, a neutral country. Not long after the Leviathan crashes close to where he is hiding, and Alek and Deryn (Who is calling herself Dylan) meet. Then, the excitement begins!

You'll have to read this great book to find out what happens next! I loved it because it has lots of excitement and an amazing back story. Also, I am interested in books with alternate history. I'd recommend this book to nearly everyone because one character uses a LOT of interesting swears, though it is a good book. Leviathan is a good read!

Caught in the Web, By Nancy Krulik. Review by Kendall R.

The book I reviewed is called Caught In The Web by Nancy Krulik. Overall, I thought it was a good book! The main characters in the book Caught in The Web are Jenny, Chloe, Liza, Marc, Sam, Marilyn, and Carolyn. They go to school at Joyce Kilmer Middle School, and want to produce a web cast. They aren't popular and they want attention. Also, they just want to have a fun time with each other doing something they all enjoy. They start to plan it and it turns out to be a big success! Of Course, the popular kids HAVE to be the center of attention, and start their own webcast too. Now they are both fighting to see who will have the best show. The popular kids have a fashion show, while Jenny, Chloe, Liza, Marc, Sam, Marilyn, and Carolyn have a karaoke contest. The contest is to see who will turn out to be number one at Joyce Kilmer Middle School. I recommed this book to anyone who likes competion. It was a good, exciting, and interesting book. It is mainly a girl book though, so most boys would not like it. All in All, I really liked this book and I hope you deciede to read it!

Review By: Kendall

Bone: Eyes of the Storm

Have you ever read the book, Bone: Eyes of the Storm by Jeff Smith? Well, I did. I loved the 180-page fiction graphic novel. It was about Bone and his two cousins, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smily Bone. The first minor story is “Moby Bone”, where Phoney Bone and Fone Bone are pirates and Smily Bone was Moby Bone.

The bigger story is that Thom (a main character) and Bone (another main character) are trying to figure out what their dreams mean. Also, while Bone and Thom are doing that, Smily and Fone Bone make a bet with Lucius that …. Wait, wait, wait, read the book to find out. Then Thom finds out that she really is a princess … hold it, I am telling you the story again, aren’t I? So, as I said, read the book to find out.

After the bet was made, everyone in the bar wanted to keill Bones for rigging the cow race. But, Bone loves Thom. He even writes love poems to her but never gives them to her. If you would like to learn more about Bone, read the book (if I haven’t given the book all away).

Horse Crazy by Bonnie Bryant reviewed by Allison O.

Horse Crazy is the first book of the popular Saddle Club series written by Bonnie Bryant. This fictional book introduces the reader to Pine Hollow Stables and the girls who ride there. Pine Hollow Stables is the main setting of this story and is the place where serious horse lovers meet to do what they do best …. Ride! Pine Hollow is a place where traditions are very important to those who are members there.

My favorite character in this book is definitely Stevie Lake. She comes from a wealthy family but is not in the least spoiled. She just loves practical jokes. This is seen in the very first time she meets a new member to the stables, Lisa Atwood, and thought it would be funny to remove the stirrups from the horse she was about to ride so that she would be unable to mount him and join the others for a ride.

The story revolves around Stevie Lake, her best friend Carole Hanson, and the difficulties new comer Lisa Atwood encounters when she tries to make friends at the stable. Another portion of the plot focuses on the annual Mountain Trail Overnight campout which takes place for the students at Pine Hollow. The girls are all looking forward to going but some may have to work harder than others in order to go on this trip. We quickly learn that another trait that Stevie Lake possesses is determination. She finds out that, unless she improves her slipping math grade, her parents will not give her the money needed to go!

I enjoyed this book but did feel that the story line was predictable. I liked following the relationships between the three friends and how they changed throughout the book. Aspiring equestrians will love reading this book because it is full of detailed and accurate information on everything you ever wanted to know about riding and taking care of horses!