Thomas, 4th Grade, Reviews Eoin Colfer's "Artemis Fowl"

Artemis Fowl is about a 12- year old criminal mastermind. His dad invested a lot of money into a failed market (transporting cola to Russia) so their fortune is not as big as it used to be. So when his father went missing, he took over the family and will do anything to regain his fortune, legal or illegal.  He even tries to steal the fairies gold (in this book, fairies are real)! I like this book because you want to see if Artemis outsmarts the fairies. I think it’s a good read for 4^th and 5^th graders.

Ashley, 5th Grade, Reviews Lemony Snicket's "The Wide Window"

The Wide Window is about three children named Violet, Klaus, and Sunny who have bad luck. Their parents died in a house fire so they ended up in the care of their Aunt Josephine. Aunt Josephine ends up living in a cave. Captain Sham forced her to leave so he could have the kids to himself. The kids spent their time with him as slaves trying to escape and reunite with their aunt.

 

My favorite part was when the kids found Aunt Josephine. I liked that section because they missed her and were worried sick. I love reunions!

 

My least favorite part was when Aunt Josephine had to pretend to jump out the window but ran out the front door instead.

 

I would recommed this book to kids like me who enjoy reading adventures.

 

Thomas, 5th Grade, Reviews "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban".

Harry better watch out! The mass murderer Sirius Black is after him after breaking out of the wizard prison, Azkaban. This has never been done because it is guarded by dementors, evil creatures who suck the joy and happiness out of you. Most prisoners are driven mad from the lack of a happy memory! Twelve years prior Sirius betrayed Harry’s parents to Lord Voldemort, the most feared wizard ever! Now Harry is being hunted down by Black. Meanwhile at Hogwarts, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Remus Lupin is teaching the class how to deal with everything from boggarts to Red Caps. He even teaches Harry how to use the Patronus charm (the only known defense against dementors) after Harry encounters some dementors on school grounds. Professor Dumbledore was furious; he clearly stated that the dementors stay off school grounds. The dementors are at Hogwarts to protect the students against Sirius Black. But the dementors grew restless, they longed for fear, anger, and misery. That is what they feed off of. It’s their version of steak or chicken. In other words, food. The worst they can do is the Dementor’s Kiss. They suck your soul out of you! You’ll live, but you’ll be a shell, with no thoughts, feelings, etc. It’s a very good book. I would suggest it to 6^th , 7^th, and 8^th graders. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

Owen and Paul Review John Flanagan's "Ranger's Apprentice" Series

4th Grader Owen Comments On Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan

Looking for an adventurous, action-packed book? This exciting story is about an agile, young Ranger apprentice named Will and his master, Halt, a mysterious person who guards Castle Redmont. The two Rangers must defeat the evil Morgarath before he destroys the Kingdom of Araluen. They get help from Will's former wardmates: Horace, a strong student of Battleschool; Jenny, a cook-in-training who's food is delicious already; George, a skinny boy who's place is at Scribeschool; and Alyss, a tall girl who was promised early that she would become part of the Diplomatic Service. It combines Eragon and the Lord of the Rings trilogy and adds a little bit of young King Arthur. I would give this book four and a half out of five stars and it is one of my top-10 favorite books. To conclude, if I liked the book, you probably will too.

4th Grader Paul Writes About The Ranger’s Apprentice Series 

I enjoy the series, “Ranger’s Apprentice,” by John Flanagan. I have to use interlibrary loan to get them because they’re always out.  The books’ main character is Will, who is apprenticed to Halt.  A Ranger is a medieval spy that is good with a bow and arrow.  Will learns how to use a bow and how to move unseen.  I have read the first three books and almost finished the fourth.  My favorite of the four so far is the fourth book, “The Battle for Skandia.”  It is exciting and when Halt finds Will in Skandia, the Skandians and the Rangers have to make an alliance to fight the Temujai.  You should read the first book, “The Ruins of Gorlan,” when you get a chance.

Photograph of Book Cover by Storytime Leader Robert Carter.