Everest: Book One - The Contest

Everest: Book One - The Contest, by Gordon Korman

I can't believe I just realized right now, after entering in my previous review, that this is the same author of The 6th Grade Nickname Game!! I read the books back-to-back and didn't even realize it!!

This book is part of a three-part series. Everest: Book Two - The Climb, and Everest: Book Three - The Summit, follow this first book. Be advised now - you will want to read the next book right away, so have it handy!!

This first book is about a contest that a sports drink/energy bar company is holding to give people the chance to climb Mt. Everest (the tallest mountain in the world). Dominic and his brother are in the running with several other kids to be in the final crew to climb Everest. All of the kids are at a training camp in the Rocky Mountains and trying to prove their worth. Some kids are deserving of the chance, while others just have rich uncles. Dominic is the youngest in the group, while his brother is a bit older, but very experienced and one of the better climbers. Of course, the climb on Everest isn't just about who is the best, it is also about making a show out of the competition and that means who will make it more enjoyable to watch... The most arrogant, the most well-known, the youngest, a girl? You will have to read the book to find out who the final crew going to Everest is. I bet you will be surprised!!

The only negative thing about this book, and why it received 4 stars instead of 5, is because at times it can be difficult to tell who the author is talking about. I had to back-up and reread a few times to figure it out.

p.s. Do not judge this book by its cover!! It may look like a "boy" book, but I can guarantee that any girl would like it as well. I did!

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The 6th Grade Nickname Game

The 6th Grade Nickname Game, by Gordon Korman

This book is about Jeff and Wiley, who create nicknames for everyone in their school. The nosiest kid in class is nicknamed Snoopy, a boy with a white-streak down his hair is called Skunk... you get the idea. Then one day, a new girl shows up at school - Cassandra. They can't seem to pin-point a nickname for her. She is so different than all of the other kids at their school. 

In addition, the students have really begun to take a liking to their new substitute, Mr. Hughes (Mr. Huge), who is very different from many of the teachers. He is always positive and encouraging the students to give 110%. When the kids find out that he is going to be fired if they don't do better on their state reading test, the students come up with a plan to not only improve their scores, but help Mr. Huge keep his job. Will the plan work? Will the boys ever come up with a nickname for Cassandra? 

This book was a fun and fast read. The nicknames in the book are fun and makes it seem like real life. I loved the kids idea for getting better test scores - so simple and yet, so effective!! :)

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

INKHEART

Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke

This story is a mixture of fantasy, adventure, and mystery. It is hard to give a summary of this story without giving away too much information, but I will do my best. 

The story is about Meggie and her father, who devour books every chance they get. When a stranger shows up one night and Meggie's father suddenly whisks them away to her great-aunt's house, Meggie starts to recognize that something strange is going on. It turns out that her father can summon objects and characters from books by reading aloud from books. Many years ago, he had read from a book called Inkheart and an evil man named Capricorn emerged from the book. Now, Capricorn wants Meggie's father back and will stop at nothing until he does. 

There are many other twists and turns along the way in this book, which kept me very intrigued. It is a rather long read at 563 pages, but most of it does go by quickly. Although it has a happy ending, things don't exactly end... perfectly. Which is interesting, because another one of Cornelia Funke's books, The Thief Lord, is similar that way (another really good book, by the way ;)).

p.s. There has been a movie made about this book - I have not seen it and can therefore, not comment. Please read the book first before seeing the movie - it is always more enjoyable that way!

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Judy Blume

This is a book I frequently recommend to fourth-grade students who are stuck and not sure what to read next. I have never met a student or adult who has not enjoyed this book and found it humorous.

This book, put simply, is about Peter and his new baby brother, Frudge, who makes his life miserable.

Anyone who has siblings will easily be able to relate to this story.

Note: There are several sequels to this book; Superfudge, Fudge-a-mania, and Double Fudge, and although I have not read them, I have heard only good things.

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

City Dog, Country Frog (Picture Book)

City Dog, Country Frog, Mo Willems  Illustrated by Jon J Muth

I heard this story for the first time today and was moved to tears! I knew I needed my own copy and ordered it off of Amazon. 

This is a beautiful story about both friendship and change. I don't want to tell too much about the story as I fear I will give it away. Normally, Mo Willems illustrates his own stories and his books are often very humorous and sometimes even crude. This is SO different than his other books. It is much more serious, but beautifully written. 

This book will not disappoint, but be forewarned, you may want some tissues handy!! 

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

One Crazy Summer

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One Crazy Summer, Rita Williams-Garcia

I was really excited to read this book as it caught my eye at the Spring Bookfair. It received multiple awards and sounded like a neat storyline. It was the first book I decided to delve into this summer.

This story is about eleven-year-old Delphine and her two sisters, Vonetta and Fern. Their mother, Cecile, had abandoned them several years ago and the girls knew very little about their mother. Their father and grandmother (Big Ma) send them from Brooklyn out to Oakland, California to stay with Cecile for the summer.

Cecile is certainly not like most mothers you know of and really wants nothing to do with the three girls. She makes them eat Chinese takeout, refuses to call Fern by her name, and won't let them into her kitchen. In addition, she sends the girls off each day to a summer camp run by the Black Panthers where the girls end up being wound up in more of the revolution than they anticipated.

It is important to note that this story takes place during a very tumultuous time in history where many people, African-Americans in particular, were fighting for equal rights. People were very passionate and willing to contribute to the cause in many different ways.

I liked this book, although it is difficult for me to explain why... Delphine is a great character. She is strong, independent, and really takes pride in looking after her sisters. I felt a strong connection with her being the eldest in my own family (there are three of us as well!). Throughout the story, you keep waiting for the mom to come around and show some emotion or compassion, and she never really does - or at least not in the way I had hoped for. Regardless, the book was an enjoyable read about the sisters' escapades in California and how they became involved in an important part of history.

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Report Card

The Report Card, Andrew Clements

I am really into Andrew Clements right now. He writes such funny books that always have something to do with school.

In this story, Nora Rowley is not just really smart - she is a genius! However, no ones knows it yet! She doesn't want to be different or have people treat her any differently. She has gone her whole life (up to fifth grade), trying really hard to act and sound like a "normal" kid.

Then, Nora gets frustrated by how much her classmates emphasize grades and test scores. So, she puts a plan into action in order to prove a point. Can you believe Nora actually is proud of the D's on the report card she brings home?! Read the story to find out why she is so happy about her bad grades and learn whether or not Nora's plan works or if her secret gets out.

This book is both funny and has a great message. It will make you question how important grades really are and understand that scores aren't the only thing that define someone as "smart."

If you liked any of Andrew Clements other books, such as, Frindle, The School Story, or No Talking, you will like this book as well. (And if you have not read any of the above-mentioned books - YOU SHOULD!!!)

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars