Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman

This awesome biography takes you on a ride through Houdini's life as an escape artist. The king of handcuffs amazing stunts from jail braking to breaking handcuffs! I recommend this book for anyone who likes magic.

Nathan L.

Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine

Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg is about the fairies in Neverland. All fairies have a talent and Mother Dove helps them. Fairy dust helps Never fairies fly. When a hurricane arrives in the Neverland, Mother Dove's egg, the thing that keeps everything and everyone young, breaks. The only thing that can revive it is the imprisoned dragon, Kyto. He wants to trade, so 3 fairies go on quest to collect items to see if they succeed. Read the book!

Sherrilyn L.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Set in 18th century China, this novel portrays friendship between two girls from when they were young until elderly age. As friends, they experienced many things together, such as footbinding and they learned the secret language of women, nu shu. When they are in their later years, the were separated as they get married into different families. However, both keep in touch through a fan which they leave messages on. This is an interesting and intriguing novel. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about history and friendship, from ages 14 and up.

My Brother Sam is Dead by James and Christopher Collier

This story takes place during the tie of the American Revolutionary War. Tim has an older brother named Sam who is a Rebel soldier. However, Tim's family has a tavern in Redding, a Tory (loyalist) country. One day, he gets into trouble and his life is in danger. Can Tim save his brother? This story tells all the specific details about life during the Revolutionary War and what different kinds of feeling that Tory, Rebel, and neutrals had. Because there is some violence and inappropriate words, I'd highly recommend this "5 star" book to grade 5 and up.

Jae W.

Two-Minute Mysteries by Donald J. Sobol

Solve 79 "two minute" mysteries that range from murder to stealing. Work with Dr. Haledjian and Inspector winters to solve the crime. At the end of each story, Dr. Haledjian makes a remark and a question is asked. Answers to the question are also supplied. The clues that are embedded into the stories are tricky so look carefully. Recommended for ages 10 and higher.

Learning the Game by Kevin Waltman

Nate is your normal high school kid who is struggling to get on the varsity basketball team. When his whole team gets invoved into a break-in, his whole life slowly falls apart. The negative element of the story is that he lies to everyone about the break-in. I recommend this book to 10 years old and above.

Trent K.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Billy gets a sickness common in all children, "puppy love". Billy's family is poor and can't afford red coon hounds. So Billy started to collect money himself for two years. He asked his grandpa to order them for him. Did he get what he wanted and cure his illness? There's one way to find out. Read the book!

Leeza K.

Sarah Bishop by Scott O'Dell

This is a book about a girl named Sarah Bishop who loses her father and brother during the Revolutionary War. This book has great literature and is an interesting book, but sometimes can be sad. This book is suitable for any child who is interested in history. This book is historical fiction so it will be a great book for people who like historical fiction.

Jordan K.

Marley & Me by John Grogan

This is a fun quick-read book about the autobiographical events of the author's wild, yet loveable pup, Marley. From being kicked out of obedience school to landing a role in a movie, the 97-pound labrador provides laughs as well as life-long lessons. Told through simple, witty narrative, all readers are sure to be touched by the world's worst dog, Marley. Recommended for 8th grade and above.

Hana K.

Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker

Hundreds of years before Princess Emma was born, an insulted fairy cast a curse on her ancestor Princess Hazel. The curse was all female descendants upon their sixteenth year could not touch a flower or all of their youth, kindness, and beauty would be erased. Almost sixteen herself, Emma has to find a way to reverse the curse. 4th to 8th grade

Harley J.

A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements

This story is about a boy named Mark who is new to his school. He doesn't really fit in since he was really rich. He goes hiking for a week and on the first day, he takes the blame for bringing a knife to school for his friend. He runs away then and gets lost. His teacher then rescues him and he is safe.

Joey H.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This book is a touching read. It follows one young girl's race to freedom. Lily Owens longs to find out about the truth of her mother's death and runs away to a laced listed on the back of mother's old possessions. It is a powerful tale of love, kindness, and the need of a mother's love.

Chloe H.

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

Prosper and Bo are orphans in Venice, Italy. Luckily, they have found refuge with runaways, Mosca, Ricco, and Hornet along with the famous thief lord. They will be captured, taken as hostage, and be rid from their hideout. I liked them all being runaways. This book is good for ages twelve and up.

Ben H.

The Printer's Devil by Paul Bajoria

This fantasy adventure takes place in London at the beginning of the industrial age. The main character, Moy, is an orphan who works as an apprentice to a grouchy old printer named Cramplock. Moy finds out about an underground criminal organization.

Mac G.

The Kid Who Became President by Dan Gutman

This book is about a kid who just became president of the United States of America. He is faced with many problems that he must decide what to do. But I won't tell you what the problem is. You should read the book yourself.

Jonathan G.

Pendragon: The Merchant of Death

Bobby Pendragon has just discovered that the girl of his dreams loves him back, when his Uncle Press takes him to a whole other world that needs their help. The first of this series is full of action, but the jumps between worlds is confusing at times. This book is made for Harry Potter lovers with a short attention span. Ages 11 -16.

Miranda G.

The Curious Incidents of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

This book is a fictional account of an autistic 15-year-old boy living in Swindon, England. It is the year 1998 (though it never directly says so in the book). Christopher Boone is a mathematical genius who has no understanding of human emotions. The book is written from Christopher's point of view, because according to the story the book was written by Christopher. This book is a realistic insight into the complications disabled people and the people around them have.

Elaine E.

City of Beasts by Isabel Allende

This book is about a boy named Alexander who travels with his grandma to South America. Here, he makes a new friend and meets a tribe of natives. This book is good because of a major plot twist. I would recommend this book to children between the ages of eleven and fifteen.

Cody D.

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

This book is about Max meeting back up with his friend from preschool, Freak. Max has always been called stupid, but ever since Freak has been around, his brain seemed to start thinking. Together, with Max's huge body and Freak's giant brain, they become Freak the Mighty. I liked this book because of the suspense and action. Grades 5 and up.

Zachary D.

Hardy Boys: The House on the Cliff by Franklin W. Dixon

Frank and Joe Hardy, detectives, went to spy on smugglers. They used a telescope to look at a ship. Suddenly, they heard a cry for help. They quickly went into a house. No one was in there. They went outside to check. But something was wrong. Their telescope lenses were missing! Even their motorcycles weren't working. Frank and Joe searched for the smugglers and along the way, there was danger. Even their father was captured. I would recommend it to ages 9 and up.

Matthew T.C.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Anna Karenina primarily concerns the illicit affair of two people high in society and the struggle of a man who aims to win the love of a princess. Their marital life is also rather rocky, all owing to his strange ideals. Anna Karenina's bulk (a dense 963 pager in one edition) probably scares the world away before the long, descriptive sentences do. Despite these, in the Russian novel is a rich story famed for the realism of each character's actions and feeling- repulsive or foolish as they may seem.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Ponyboy is a fourteen-year-old gang member also know as a "Greaser". With the death of his parents, his life depended on his two older brothers. Throughout the novel, there are constant confrontations with a rivalry gang known as the "Socs". His life turns after a friend killed a Soc, which ultimately helps Ponyboy understand the importance of loyalty, family, and friends. This novel is very quick and full of great events that will keep a reader sucked in. I recommend this novel to those who are 13 and up.

Kristy C.

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

When the Valley of the Dragons is threatened by humans, Firedrake is the dragon and Sorrel the brownie, a cat-like creature, decide to search for the fabled Rim of Heaven. They meet Ben, a homeless boy, living in a city and he joins them. Ages 9 and up.

Jack B.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yanecy

I liked this book and spent 5 hours reading it in one day. Alfred is a boy who goes and steals a sword from a big company that turns out to be the last secret organization for the Knights of the Round Table. The only problem was that everybody except 12 people died at the end. The book sucked me in because it was so exciting. People from 12 to 14 would probably like it.

Jackson A.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The descriptions of Hawthorne are explicit and so well written that it gives the reader a clear view of what is happneing to Hester Prynne when she has an affair with the Reverend and concieves an illegitamite daughter. She is scorned for her affair because she is married and made to wear the scarlet letter A. This is a book appropriate for mid to older teens.

Alissa Q.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Annemarie and Ellen are best friends. There is a big war going on but in order to save Ellen's life, Annemarie must pretend Ellen is her sister. But if soldiers come to Annemarie's home and search for Jewish people hiding, Ellen must lie and say that her name is Lise Johansen. Lise was actually Annemarie's sister but she died. But in the end, Peter and Uncle Henrik help Ellen's family and other families to Sweden by boat to be free.

Sabrina S.

Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

This book is about two sisters. One of the sisters, Meryl, gets sick with the Gray death. Now her sister, Addie, must go on a journey to find a cure for the Gray Death. Will she find the cure in time to save her sister's life? This book is very detailed and I would recommend this book for all ages.

Brianna L.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

The Book of Three is the first book in the Chronicles of Prydain, a magical land. Taran, an assistant pig keeper, has to find an orcular pig that he is in charge of when the pig runs off because of an evil enemy's presence. Taran meets other characters that have similar quests and they become friends fast. The book wi ltake your breath away as you read each exciting page. The Book of Three should be read by 4-6 graders who love fantasy.

Samuel C.

Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

This mind intriguing book is very well written. This book is about a young Bard-in-training and his sister on their journey with the Vikings as a prisoner. The young Bard, Jack, finds out he must go through Jotunheim, the land of the trolls to receive magic. I recommend this book to all ages above nine.

Tommy L.

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

The Time Machine is a classic adventure story about a scienctist who everyone mocks becasue he believes time is the 4th dimension. He builds a time machine and travels through time. His time machine disappears and he is stranded in the future. I recommend this book for people who love adventure.

Ryan I.

The World of the Polar Bear by Norbert Rosing

The World of the Polar Bear gives you an inside look at what life is for polar bears. You get to see these bears up close and personal. Norbert Rosing takes you through all four seasons by using fantastic description and photographs. I recommend this book to people ages eleven and up.

Laura L.

Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan

This book is about a girl named Ida B. Her life is perfect until her mom gets sick. Ida B's life is turned around. Now she has to deal with the new changes in her life. Her parents have changed and she has to go to public school. Her heart changes to a cold black one. Ida B. fights in her heart for what she really believes in. This book is heart-warming and touching. I would recommend this book to people that like books that show different aspects of life.

Sophia L.

Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein is an amazing poet and author. This book is the story of Runny Babbit and his animal friends: Toe Jurtle, Skertie Gunk, Rirty Dat, Dungry Hog, Snerry Jake, and many others. These creatures speak a special langauge in which the letters of the first word and the second are exchanged. It is a great book to read and I enjoyed reading it to my little sister who thought it was very funny. I recommend this book to all who just wnat to have fun!

Alison F.