Tamar
BOOK NAME: National Geographic Kids Almanac 2012
AUTHOR: National Geographic
Did you know that the smallest bone in your body is smaller than a grain of rice? Did you know that a lunar eclipse lasts about one hundred minutes? Did you know that there is a big annual celebration in Brazil called “Carnaval?” Did you know that the people of the Hindu religion celebrate a holiday called “Diwali,” which in English means “Festival of Lights,” that is also the meaning of the Jewish holiday called “Hanukkah?” You can learn all of that and so much more in the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2012!
In the book, there are different sections. You can read about amazing animals, going green, different cultures, the world billions of years ago, and even about how the world will be in the future! There’s also a game section, where you can play the same kinds of games that are in the magazine. I loved the quiz to stump your parents.
I would recommend this book to anyone. I flipped every page, always interested to know more. I had a lot of fun playing the games, too. Overall, I think the almanac is just like a great big issue of the magazine!
On the back of the book, it says “Dare to Explore!” That’s exactly what the almanac does; it makes you want to explore and discover new things.
Want to learn more about the almanac? Check out the video and get a sample of the amazing facts you’ll find inside!
BOOK NAME: The Girl Who Could Fly
AUTHOR: Victoria Forester
Piper McCloud lived on a farm in Lowland Country. Nothing was out of the ordinary there. Yet Piper, she was out of the ordinary. She could… fly. Her parents, Betty and Joe, kept Piper private in their home. But one day, when they finally let her out, Piper revealed her flying ability in public. Suddenly, reporters started surrounding their home, wanting to know about the girl who could fly!
Then, a black helicopter landed on their property. The McClouds found out that this helicopter came from a secret facility, called I.N.S.A.N.E., that helped kids with extraordinary abilities. Betty and Joe ended up agreeing to send Piper to the facility.
At the facility, Piper met many kids with weird abilities like hers, like Lily, who was telekinetic, Violet, who was able to shrink, Conrad, who was some sort of freaky genius, and so many more. Soon, though, Piper found out that the facility was dangerous for her, and the rest of the children. But was it to late to do anything now?
I loved this book! The part I most enjoyed reading was about each child and their special ability. If I was most similar to one character, it would be Piper. In the book, Piper is always trying hard, and is so persistent, which is something I mostly try my best to be like. This book would really be one of the most interesting books I ever read, so thanks to the people who suggested that I read it!
BOOK NAME: Washington City is Burning
AUTHOR: Harriette Gillem Robinet
Virginia of Madison worked as a slave at Montpelier. One day, an old slave man, named Tobias, came to Montpelier to take Virginia in his carriage. She found out she would work at the White House, to President James and Miss Dolley Madison. Later Virginia was to find out that Tobias needed her to go on secret missions and help free her people.
Virginia was not off to a great start the day she arrived at the White House. There was a slave woman, named Rosetta Bell, who hated Virginia, and did the best she could to get her into trouble. Virginia never knew why Rosetta hated her. Weeks later, Virginia started to go on secret missions, bringing slaves to freedom.
Great Britain got into a fight with Washington City, and one day, only one word could be heard in the streets. “War!” Everyone began to flee from Washington City, including Miss Dolley. Virginia stayed behind, though. She watched as the British came and burned everything down, even the White House! After the war, Miss Dolley came back home. The British would soon board ships to Alexandria, and slaves could go along to freedom. Now Virginia had a choice. Would she stay there? Or would she leave Tobias, Aunt Sally, and Miss Dolley, and go to freedom?
I really loved this book. I read it in school. The book was so interesting! My favorite character was Virginia, such a young girl with so much bravery.
BOOK NAME: Fudge-a-Mania
AUTHOR:
Judy Blume
When Peter Hatcher and his family want to go on vacation, Peter does not expect it to be right next to his enemy, Sheila Tubman. Not only were their houses near each other, but when he got to Maine, Peter found out that their houses were CONNECTED! How would he survive living next to the entire Tubman family? His family was enough to have to deal with!
In Maine, Peter meets Mrs. A and Mitzi, who he later finds out are wife and daughter of Big Apfel (only the greatest baseball player ever)! Peter goes through many weird times, including the time where his little brother Fudge’s bird escapes, and he has to go find it. Fudge was so weird. So weird, that he even wished to marry Sheila! But at the end of the book, Sheila and Fudge don’t get married, someone else does!
I really liked this book. I think Judy Blume is a great author. She has a great sense of humor. My favorite character in the book was Mitzi. She doesn’t have such a big part in the storyline, but she’s just so cute! I wish I had a little sister just like her! I also liked the way Judy Blume portrays Fudge’s character. It’s such a typical five year old! I could think of many five year olds who are just like Fudge. Just as annoying, and just as crazy! Fudge-a-mania is a great book! All the characters are great!
Want another opinion? Read Isabel’s review.
BOOK NAME: Walt Disney: Young Movie Maker
AUTHOR: Marie Hammontree
ILLUSTRATOR: Fred Irvin
We all know Walt Disney as the super rich guy who created Disney World. I know that I used to think that he had the best life. But in this book, you read Walt’s life story. Turns out, his life wasn’t so perfect. His family was actually very poor.
Walt was young but worked like he was an adult. After all, it was the only way he could make some money. He worked at his father’s newspaper business, as a newsboy. But even that money Walt couldn’t keep. All the money he earned, his father took from him and kept it so that Walt wouldn’t spend it on foolish things. Walt Disney had three brothers and one sister.
His father wanted him to be the next owner of the jelly factory. But Walt didn’t want to do that in life. He wanted to be a cartoonist. His father thought that being any type of artist was stupid. He thought those were Walt’s childhood dreams, and that he would convince him not to do it when he was older. But Walt was growing up, and insisted on being a cartoonist.
I really liked this book because it changed my view of famous people. It made me notice that maybe some celebrities didn’t start out rich and famous. They had to work to get like that. This is a book for all ages.
BOOK NAME: The Mystery at Disney World
AUTHOR: Carole Marsh
Christina, Grant, and their grandparents were getting ready for their first day at Disney World. Just as they were ready to leave for the park, they were greeted by Mick and Crystal, who were going to give them a personal tour. When they got to the park, the kids and grandparents parted. Mick and Crystal would be giving Christina and Grant a tour, and their father would be giving the grandparents a tour. To keep in touch with their grandparents, Christina and Grant were given walkie-talkies. “Stay on channel twelve,” their grandmother said. “That way you can stay in touch with us.” Grant then decided to change the channel to thirteen. “Then we won’t bother them with our talking,” he said. Christina agreed.
But it wasn’t such a good choice. Christina started getting weird messages on her walkie-talkie. As they went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, Grant disappeared! When they got off the Haunted Mansion ride, Crystal disappeared! And as they exited Mickey’s house, Mick disappeared, too! Now Christina was left to find them all before the fireworks at 8:30!
The Mystery at Disney World is a great book. It’s appropriate reading for all ages. Carole Marsh used real places and real people which make it seem so… real! This was the third time I read the book, yet I never get tired of it. Every time I read it, I can never put it down. For people who have been to Disney World, like me, reading this book is so cool because you know exactly what places they’re talking about. And if you haven’t been to Disney World, I think you’ll know the next place you want to go for vacation.
BOOK NAME: A Time of Miracles
AUTHOR: Anne Laure Bondoux
The book A Time of Miracles by Anne Laure Bondoux is a great book, although it is not a book for all ages. I would say that it is a book for ages 11 and up.
Little Koumail, or “Mr. Blaise” as Gloria nicknamed him, had only lived through times of war and violence. His vision of the world was a harsh, dirty, violent place. Komail and Gloria, who was not his real mother, traveled from one refugee camp to another, trying to escape the collapse of the Soviet Union. “Who is Gloria, if she is not his real mother?” you may ask. Well, when Gloria was at the train station one day, many years before, there was a big accident. As Gloria tried to help everyone, she saw this lady in the corner, almost dying. The lady said to her, “Take my child, for I am not sure if I will survive.” Gloria took the baby and raised him as her son. In this book, you will take part in Gloria and Komail’s journey, as they try to reach the ultimate freedom in France. But at the end of the book, Gloria reveals Komail’s real story. It’s a very shocking thing, to find out that Gloria lied to him all these years. You’ll just have to read the book to accompany Gloria and Komail on their amazing travels, and find out what the true story is.
I really liked this book. Some parts may be a bit difficult to understand. You can do what I did. I asked my mom. My favorite thing about this book was how little Komail survived his childhood. It made me realize how lucky I am that I live in a peaceful time. I think Anne Laure Bondoux is a great writer. Her writing style keeps you curious to know more about the story! Something I thought was very interesting about the book was that every three or four pages was a new chapter! It’s just a type of writing I’m not used to. There was even a chapter that was only two paragraphs long! I recommend this book to anyone 11 and over.
BOOK NAME: The Landry News
AUTHOR: Andrew Clements
Cara Landry was barely noticed. She liked it that way. She was a quiet, but very intelligent girl. She was very unlucky to end up in the worst teacher’s class, Mr. Larson’s class. Mr. Larson never taught. He just sat at his desk, every day, reading the newspaper and drinking coffee from his big, red thermos. Every parent hoped that their children wouldn’t end up in his class.
One day, Cara decided to put up her own newspaper, The Landry News, on the bulletin board. In it, she put an article stating that “there has been learning, but there has been no teaching” in Mr. Larson’s class. Mr. Larson banned the newspaper from the classroom. Cara then decided to work on her own project.
In this book, you will join Cara and Mr. Larson as they begin hating each other at first in the story, and end up being very close at the end. You’ll even accompany them as they try to save Mr. Larson’s job!
I really liked this book. I feel it is a great book for all ages. It was fun, cute, and very good. I kept on wanting to know what would happen next! I think I am the complete opposite of Cara, though. She’s quiet, while I am loud and outgoing. But even though she is so different from me, she’s my favorite character in the book. Reading The Landry News won’t be a waste of your time! You should read it!
