Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray  By Ruta Septys

***** 5/5 stars   Historical Fiction

In  the summer of 1941, being arrested by the Soviet secret police is the furthest from Lina's mind. When it does happen, Lina and her family are dragged from their home and put to work in Siberia.  Her father is separated from the family.  Lina desperately tries to contact him in different ingeniuous ways. She also works to preserve a record so that people will know what happened and so it won't happen again. This is a book you will not easily forget.


            

Matched

Matched  By Ally Condie

***3/5 stars  Science Fiction

I gave this book three stars because so many books are like this one. There is always the dystopian world and the love story. Is it so hard to be creative? This book was so similar to The Giver by Lois Lowry, and that was much better. Of course everyone likes this type of story, including me, but after you read this type of story over and over again, you get really bored.

            For those who are not bored with this type of story, it is about a girl named Cassia. She lives in the future where the Society dictates everything in the perfect world that they created. The officials--the police in this story--decide who you will marry, what your job is, and when you die. Cassia has just been given her Match, her childhood friend Xander. She is also given a microcard. The card tells her everything that she needs to know about Xander. While Cassia is looking at a picture of Xander on the screen, another face flashes on it. The face is Ky Markham, another boy that Cassia knows. Cassia is faced with the hard decision of choosing to marry Ky and Xander.

Life as We Knew It

Life as We Knew It  By Susan Beth Pfeffer

***** 5/5 stars   Science Fiction

When a meteor hits the moon bringing it closer to Earth, life as Miranda knew it is gone forever. Tsunamis, volcanoes, and floods are unleashed as every day becomes a fight to stay alive.
            The first book in this trilogy was very good, 5/5 stars. The second was okay, 4/5, but by the third I was wondering why I was reading it. You should definitely read the first, but I don't think you should read the second and third. I was reading it just to find out what happened to the characters, but the ending was a disappointment.

If I Stay

If I Stay  By Gayle Froman

*****5/5 stars  Fiction

A simple car ride can change everything. In less than a second, Mia's life is changed forever. When a truck hits her family's car, Mia's mom and dad are killed. Her brother and Mia survive, but barely. As they are rushed to the hospital, Mia is faced with a decision. Should she choose to live or die?

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos  By R.L. La Fevers

***** 5/5 stars  Fantasy

Being the only one to sense the curses on some objects can cause you to be very busy. That is the situation Theodosia is in. Surrounded by cursed antiquities from her dad's museum, Theo has the privilege of de-cursing all the objects. When Theodosia's mom returns from Egypt with an amulet, the Heart of Egypt, Theodosia realizes that the amulet is under a curse so horrible that it will cause chaos to erupt onto the streets of London. To prevent mayhem, Theo will have to return the Heart of Egypt to its tomb in Egypt.  

13 Gifts

13 Gifts   By Wendy Mass

***** 5/5 stars

When Tara Brennan breaks into school to steal a goat she is caught and punished (obviously). After a lot of discussion between Tara’s parents, they agree on a punishment--spend the summer in the small town of Willow Falls while Tara’s parents spend it in Madagascar studying lemurs. In Willow Falls, Tara quickly realizes strange things--it would be impossible not to. There are two friends who use blackboards to communicate, a girl who loses her phone at least every two months, and a strange woman with a duck-shaped birthmark on her cheek. That woman is the strangest of all. Tara needs to collect thirteen items for her before July 13, Tara’s birthday. If she doesn’t, the woman claims that Tara will lose her immortal soul and Tara does not want that.

13 Gifts is very well written. You won’t be able to put it down.

The Book Thief

 The Book Thief   By Markus Zusak

***** 5/5 stars   Historical Fiction
At the beginning of WW II, Lisel is forced to live with foster parents. She also does not know how to read. As WW II progresses, Lisel discovers the power of words. She realizes that they can be used for good or evil.

Lisel reminds me of Katie from Kira-kira. Lisel is similar to Katie because she is very hopeful and she goes through a lot of hardship. Now that I think about it, Lisel also reminds me of Ling from Revolution is not a Dinner Party. Ling goes through hardship like Lisel and Katie. Both Lisel and Ling care a lot about others.

The Book Thief is sure to make an impact on your life.  At the very least, this book will make you see things differently.

Revolution is not a Dinner Party

Revolution is not a Dinner Party  By Ying Chang Compestine

***** 4/5 stars  Historical Fiction

The first sentence of this book is, "The summer of 1972, before I turned nine, danger began knocking on doors all over China." That sentence describes the whole book pretty well. Ling lives in China during the Cultural Revolution. The Revolution threatens Ling and her family's lives but they try to survive and avoid danger under the harsh rule of Chairman Mao.

            This book reminds me of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas , a story about a very naive boy growing up in World War II. Ling is very naive and isn't sure what is going on in parts of the book. This book also reminds me of North Korea. During the Cultural Revolution, China was very similar to North Korea in many ways.  They respected their leader in the same way, a lot of the people were starving, and the police could barge into someone's house at any time.

            Throughout this book, Ling overcomes challenges and hardships. She surprises the reader with strength that is unexpected in someone so small.

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring  By J.R.R. Tolkien

*****5/5 stars  Fantasy

This may sound like a really boring book about people who talk in stilted accents and have odd names. I am going to tell the truth and the truth is that it is an interesting book, about oddly named people talking in stilted accents. Once you get used to the language the characters speak, it's easy to understand.

          

              The Fellowship of the Ring is about a hobbit (a very small person who loves food) named Frodo. Frodo was adopted by another hobbit named Bilbo. Bilbo owns a ring which turns him invisible when he puts it on. Eventually Bilbo leaves and Frodo becomes in charge of the ring. Frodo eventually discovers that the ring is dangerous and must be destroyed. The only way to do that is to go to Mordor, where evil creatures rule, and cast the ring into a fiery pit by Mt. Doom. So Frodo sets off, determined to bring the ring to Mordor and to end all evil.

            This book reminds me of Norse mythology and Harry Potter. The names sound Nordic and some characters in The Lord of the Rings are similar to the characters in Norse mythology. Lord of the Rings reminds me of Harry Potter because a lot of the events and characters are almost the same in both stories. (Yes, I know that Lord of the Rings was written first).

Silverwing

Silverwing  By Kenneth Oppel

***** 5/5 stars  Fantasy
When Shade, a Silverwing bat, is migrating south with his colony, he is swept away during a storm. He then embarks on a journey to find his colony again. On the journey, he encounters and discovers many things that amaze and surprise him, including the Promise that bats may be able to fly during the day. This book reminds me of The Wizard of Oz because both Shade and Dorothy are trying to get home. They both have interesting companions and they encounter things that they didn't think existed. Shade's cleverness and resourcefulness helps him through obstacles that try to prevent him from returning home. Though, like Dorothy, Shade eventually makes his way back home.

Animal Farm

Animal Farm  By George Orwell

**** 4/5 stars  Fantasy
Living on a farm in England,  the animals of Manor Farm have had enough of men. They have worked so hard and they hardly receive enough food. On the path to fairness, the animals overthrow the farmer and work to establish a farm of equality and justice. What made this book interesting was how the farm resembled a communist country. The rulers of the farm, the pigs, clearly state that no animal will sleep in a bed. Later, the pigs end up sleeping in the farmhouse's beds. They also say that no animal should drink alcohol. Eventually, the pigs drink many crates of alcohol. I just wrote a report on North Korea and I thought it was interesting how similar the farm was to North Korea.  North Korea's leader is greatly respected and the government tells the people lies. The pigs,too, had to be treated with utmost respect by the animals and the pigs fed the other animals lies. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars was the fact that its ending was unsatisfactory.

Yellow Star

Yellow Star  By Jennifer Roy

***** 5/5 stars  Nonfiction

This is a story about a Jewish girl, Syvia, during WWII. She lives in a ghetto in Lodz, Poland. Living in horrible conditions, Syvia, struggles throughout the war in the ghetto, waiting to be rescued and for the war to end. I normally don't like nonfiction, but this book was very intriguing and interesting. It was told in a sort of haunting way, so I couldn't put it down.

Firegirl

Firegirl  By Tony Abbott

**** 4/5 stars   Fiction
When Jessica Feeny steps into Tom's class she doesn't look like most of the kids there. She is badly burned from a fire she does not want to talk about. When Tom develops an unsteady friendship with Jessica, he understands what it means to be in her shoes. What makes this book interesting is the character Jessica Feeny. Most people don't know anyone who has suffered a trauma like that. Tony Abbott really explains what it is like to know a girl like Jessica and what it is like to be her.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian  By Sherman Alexie

**** 4/5 stars Fiction

Living on a Indian reservation(the "rez") is not easy for Junior. He is beaten up regularly, he stutters, and he has a lisp -- at 14. Then, in order to go to a better school, Junior leaves the reservation, thus being even more of an outcast on the rez.  This book contains some "PG-13 theme stuff"(things that would get you in trouble  at school if you talked about them) , but other than that it was good.

The Eyes of the Amaryllis

The Eyes of the Amaryllis  By Natalie Babbit

**** 4/5 stars Mystery

For thirty years, Jenny's grandmother has waited by the sea, waiting for a sign from her drowned husband. Now Jenny is visiting her grandmother while her grandmother's ankle heals. There Jenny meets Seward, a mysterious man. When Jenny asks Gran about him, Gran doesn't tell her anything. Gran isn't telling many things. This book is well written and suspenseful.

Theodore Boone: The Abduction

Theodore Boone: The Abduction By John Grisham

***** 5/5 stars  Mystery

When April, Theodore Boone’s best friend, leaves without a trace in the middle of the night, pandemonium erupts in her hometown. Panic strikes and search parties are established to look for her. Theo is desperate to find her, and if he does, will she be all right? The sequel to Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer promises as much suspense as the first, and it delivers.  

Gathering Blue

Gathering Blue  By Lois Lowry

***** 5/5 stars  Science Fiction

Living in a community where the weak are left to be eaten by the beasts, Kira, a girl with a bad leg, has survived against all odds. Later, after her mother dies, Kira is positive it will be the end, but the answer is no again.  Her weaving skills have saved her. She is given a very important weaving job by the Council of Guardians. Kira is content weaving, but soon she realizes that the Council is holding secrets and not all of the secrets are good. The companion to The Giver  is as wonderful as the book before it.

Kira-kira

Kira-kira  By Cynthia Kandohata

***** 5/5 stars   Historical Fiction

Kira-kira is Japanese for sparkling. That is how Katie's sister, Lynn, sees life. Then, Lynn gets really sick and Katie's life stops sparkling. Katie learns that she needs to keep on hoping, no matter how desperate things get. This book is very sad, but that is what made it good to read.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You  By Ally Carter

**** 4/5 stars   Fiction
Cammie Morgan goes to the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a school for spies. That would be perfectly fine for her, except then she meets a regular guy. She has no idea how to act around him without having him figuring out who she actually is.

I So Don't Do Mysteries

I So Don't Do Mysteries  By Barrie Summy

***** 5/5 stars  Mystery
Sherry's mom, who was a police officer, died in a drug bust. Now she is back, as a ghost and she needs Sherry's help. For ghosts there are two options for the afterlife. She could've gone to the Academy for Spirits, or she could've become an animal. Sherry's mom decided to go to the Academy. Now she is in danger of flunking out of ghost school, unless Sherry helps her solve a mystery. Sherry would like to help, but it is hard to balance a normal seventh grade life and solve mysteries for ghosts.

Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind  By Sharon M. Draper
**** 4/5 stars   Fiction
Out of My Mind is a very interesting book about a girl, named Melody,  who is physically challenged. Melody can't talk (even though she is eleven) and she can't move (she has to use a wheelchair), but that doesn't stop her from remembering everything she hears and sees. She is a normal girl except for being unable to move and talk. People underestimate her so it is hard for her to make friends and to socialize.  The only reason I gave this book four stars and not five was because it was a bit too dramatic for my taste.

A Whole Nother Story

A Whole Nother Story  By Dr. Cuthbert Soup

**** 4/5 stars   Fantasy

For two years, Mr. Cheeseman and his children have been on the run from government agents, super spies, and evil corporations. The agents, spies, and corporations have been after Mr. Cheeseman’s invention, a time machine.  In the beginning of the book, Mr. Cheeseman and his children escape from them, but barely. The agents, spies, and corporations are closer than ever -- will Mr. Cheeseman and his children escape?

            I rated this book 4 stars because I listened to this as an audio book.  Other than that, it was wonderful.   

Summer Reading List

Summer Reading List

·        The Cabinet of Wonders  By Marie Rutkoski

Petra's  dad worked for the prince for a couple of years. When her dad came back, his eyes were gone. They were stolen by the prince. Determined to get her dad's eyes back, Petra embarks on a dangerous journey.

·        Heck, Where the Bad Kids Go  By Dale E. Baye

Heck is about two siblings named Marlo and Milton Fauster. After they were killed in a marshmallow explosion, they are sent to Heck. Heck is an underworld for bad kids. Willing to risk their lives (or spirits), the siblings will stop at nothing to get out.

·        Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer  By John Grisham

Theo Boone dreams of being a lawyer.His dream comes true when someone commits a crime. A perfect crime, leaving no evidence. Theo wants to prove that the accused is guilty, but the only witness is too scared to speak up.

·        Heart of a Samurai  By Margi Preus

This book is about a boy named Manjiro. Manjiro was raised in Japan where he was taught that outside of Japan, there are barbarians and monsters. One day Manjiro is stranded on a desert island with some friends. They are rescued by Americans, "barbarians". The farther Manjiro strays from his home, the more he discovers new places. No matter how fascinating the other places are, Manjiro still wishes to return home but Japan won't let foreigners in. Even if Manjiro makes it back, will he be greeted, or despised for associating with the "barbarians"?

Here are other books I think are good summer reads, but I already have reviewed them.

·        The Hunger Games  By Suzanne Collins (reviewed in February)

·        Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder  By Jo Nesbo (reviewed in January)

·        Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator  By Jennifer Allison(reviewed in January)

·        School of Fear  By Gitty Daneshvari (reviewed in January)

Amelia's War

Amelia's War  By Ann Rinaldi

*** 3/5 stars Historical Fiction

This book is mediocre. It is about a girl named Amelia. Amelia lives in Maryland during the Civil War. Many people in Amelia's town are changing to help the war.  For example, Amelia's brother ran away to fight in the war. Also, Amelia's mom works at the hospital to help the wounded. Amelia wants to help as well, although it is very hard for her to help. It was well written and interesting, but it was also slow-moving and tedious at places.

Rules

Rules By Cynthia Lord

***** 5/5 stars  Fiction

Rules is about a girl named Catherine. Catherine wants a regular, normal life but it is hard for her to have that because her brother has a disability. Catherine has rules for David like: "when someone says hi, you say hi back" and "no toys in the fish tank."  As the summer drags on Catherine meets people such as Jason, a person that Catherine befriends and ,like her brother, has a disability. It gets harder and harder for her to cover up her brother's and Jason's disability, so instead of covering them up, Catherine learns to accept them.

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Al Capone Does My Shirts  By Gennifer Chokdenko

**** 5/5 stars  Historical Fiction

This book was very interesting. It is about a boy named Matthew "Moose" Flanagan. Moose lives on Alcatraz Island because his dad was offered a job there.  Moose gets involved in a series of events some involving Piper Williams, the warden's daughter and his sister Natalie, who isn't right in the head. Moose really wants to live a normal life away from Alcatraz and everything else on it, but Alcatraz is far from normal.

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life  By Wendy Mass

***** 5/5 stars  Fiction

What I really liked about this book was that at one point in the story it seemed believable but fantastical at the same time. This book begins when Jeremy Fink  receives a box from his dead dad. The box claims to hold the meaning of life, and the only way to open without destroying what's inside is to use the keys. Only problem is that the keys are missing. There is a deadline to open it: Jeremy's birthday. That is in a month. One month to find 4 keys that could be anywhere. Will Jeremy be able to do it?

Skellig

Skellig  By David Almond

**** 4/5 stars Fantasy

When Michael moves into a new house, formerly owned by Ernie Myers, he is pretty miserable. His parents are continuously worried about his horribly sick baby sister and their garage is such a wreck his parents won't let him go in it. Michael goes into the garage anyway.  There, he finds bugs, broken furniture, mice, and a man. The man says he is nobody, nothing, he just wants to die.  

I really liked how the writer, David Almond, hooked everything together. The things that were happening in Michael's life are all connected, from the man he finds in his garage, to what he is learning in school, to what the next door neighbor's interests are.  What I didn't like was how some questions weren't answered.

So B. It

So B. It   By Sarah Weeks

**** 4/5 stars  Fiction

I listened to this book on tape.  That is probably why I rated this book 4 stars. I think listening to books on tape aren't as fun as actually reading them. What I did like about this book is that it was exciting and realistic. This book is about a girl named Heidi. Heidi's mom is not quite right in the head. She can only say 23 words. One of the words in soof. It drives Heidi crazy to not know what is means so one day she leaves her apartment in Reno to go to Liberty, New York where the answers lie.

Smells Like Dog

Smells Like Dog  By Suzanne Selfors

***** 4/5 stars  Fiction

When  Homer Pudding's Uncle Drake, a treasure hunter, dies he inherits only 1 thing, a droopy, clumsy, lazy, dog. All of his uncle's other possessions are missing. Homer doesn't think that seems right. What happened to his uncle's treasure hunting maps? Is it true that his uncle was eaten by a tortoise? And why does Homer's dog have a coin with L.O.S.T. on it? Into The City Homer plunges, leaving his country home behind, to find the truth about the mystery his uncle left behind.

The Giver

The Giver  By Lois Lowry

**** 4/5 stars   Science Fiction

I rated this book 4 stars because I heard this as an audio book instead of reading it. The story was really good though. Jonas lives in a perfect world. No pain, no hunger, no color, no sadness, nothing that is unique. Everything is the same, perfect, but when Jonas is selected as the receiver of memories he realizes that his world is not perfect -- in fact, it could be dangerous.

The Westing Games

The Westing Game  By Ellen Raskin

*** 3/5 stars  Mystery

I rated this book 3 stars because I didn't get the solution. It was well written and interesting until the characters started to find the solution. Maybe I didn't read it carefully enough.  Anyway, it is about 16 people who all live in the same apartment building. They are all called to the reading of Sam W. Westing's will. The will says that Sam Westing was murdered and in order to find out who did it, the 16 people have to play a game called the Westing Games. The 16 players are paired up with partners that Sam Westing selected and are given 8 clues per pair.   The answer to the game is the murderer.  The one who wins gets the 200 million dollar inheritance!

The Dreamer

The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Peter Sís

**** 4/5  Fiction

This book is a fictional story based on the childhood of Pablo Neruda, a famous poet.  Neftalí- Neruda's real name- is a dreamer.  He imagines things often. His dad doesn't like that. The kids at school taunt him. Neftalí still cannot stop dreaming. The story line is okay.  I would prefer something that is a bit more fast-paced, but I really like how the authors wrote it. It was a very nice read.

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I want to be your Class President

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I want to be your Class President   By Josh Lieb

**** 4/5 stars  Comedy

When I rated this book, I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. The main character, Oliver Watson, isn't exactly nice but that is what makes the book funny. Oliver is teased at school but he claims that that will change when he is able to reveal his true identity as an evil genius. Currently he is running for class president. The title is pretty self explanatory. Oliver is a genius of unspeakable evil and wants to be your class president.

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet   By Erin Dionne

***** 5/5 stars   Realistic Fiction

This book is very real. The charaters act like how people would usually act and you can really sense the emotions in the characters. Hamlet 's school year is not going well. Her seven year old genius sister, Desdemonda, skipped so many grades that Desdemonda is now at Hamlet's grade. Desdemonda has also befriended Saber and Mauri. Hamlet does not like them. Pretty horrible right? It gets worse. Desdemonda also ends up being Hamlet's math tutor and if that is not enough, Hamlet's parents are Shakespearean professors so when her class starts their Shakespeare project things start to get nightmarish.

The Girl Who Could Fly

The Girl Who Could Fly   By Victoria Forester

***** 5/5 stars Fantasy

I like creative books. The Girl Who Could Fly  is very creative. Piper McCloud can fly. She doesn't fit in with her town so when a mysterious beautiful woman arrives at her house offering her a place at her school where there are other children like her, she says yes. There, her friends can create their own weather, they can move things without touching them, and are incredibly smart. It seems like a dream come true to Piper but this fantasy land is much more dangerous then it seems.

Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee  By Jerry Spinelli

**** 4/5 stars Fiction

Maniac Magee is different from other kids. He is much braver and much faster. He can untie any knot and he is always on the move. His parents died in a train crash, and he ran away from his aunt and uncle. He ran to Two Mills. Two Mills is split into two parts: the East End and the West End. White people live in the West End and black people live in the East End. Maniac never stays in the same house for very long. He lives in both the East and West Ends. Some people don't mind that he lives on both Ends, but some people mind a lot. Maniac does it any way. The only reason I gave this book four stars was because it wasn't fantasy or science fiction. Other than that, I loved it.

The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero  By Rick Riordan

**** 4/5 stars Fantasy

I gave this book four stars because I didn't like how it was written. The plot was good and it was funny but it would have been better if Rick Riordan wrote it better.  The writing seemed forced to make the story interesting and funny. It is about 3 kids, Piper, Leo, and Jason. They  are half-bloods. Half- bloods are half-Greek god and half-human. Piper, Leo, and Jason are sent on a quest together to free the goddess, Hera. With hardly any experience, it seems unlikely that they will survive.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place and the Mysterious Howling

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place and the Mysterious Howling By Maryrose Wood

*****5/5 stars Fiction

This book is very unique.  The Incorrigible children were raised by wolves. They eat raw meat, don't wear clothes, howl at the moon, and do anything else wolf like. They are found in the woods by Fredrick Ashton. To civilize them he hires a governess, Penelope Lumley, a girl of about 15. Penelope does not expect children raised by wolves. Will she be able to do it?

11 Birthdays

11 Birthdays  By Wendy Mass

**** 5/5 stars Fantasy

I really like Wendy Mass. I think she is a very good story teller. A year ago on her birthday Amanda over heard Leo say something behind her back. Now it is her birthday again and Amanda and Leo aren't having their birthday together for the first time. Leo is supposed to have a band, a giant lizard, and a hypnotist and Amanda is going to have an itchy costume. Amanda is very happy for her birthday to be over but the next day it is her birthday again, and again, and again. Amanda is really starting to get sick of this and she realizes that she must stop her birthday from repeating. Wendy Mass tells this book very well.

The Kneebone Boy

The Kneebone Boy By Ellen Potter
***** 5/5 stars  Fiction

This book is non-stop-action. When the Hardscrabble children are unknowingly sent to stay with an aunt who is away on vacation they decide to stay at great-aunt's house instead. At their great-aunt's house they embark on an adventure concerning a creature who is half-boy and half-animal. This book is very exhilarating and I could not put it down.

Swindle

Swindle  By Gordon Korman

***** 5/5 stars  Fiction

I like books that combine talents to make a gigantic plan. This book is mainly about plans.  Griffen Bing found a Babe Ruth card easily worth a million dollars, but S. Wendell Palomino swindled him out of the card. Griffen needs to get it back. No guard dog, security system, or nosy neighbor will get in the way.

N.E.R.D.S.

N.E.R.D.S.  By Michael Buckley

**** 5/5 stars  Fantasy

Funny books are more interesting to me.  Not only was it interesting with the spy stuff, but it was more captivating because it was funny.  Jackson Jones used to be popular - very, very popular.  But that changed when he got massive head gear to fix his teeth. He then became a nerd. By then he stumbles upon N.E.R.D.S.  a society that is made up of kid nerds. The team needs to save the world but does Jackson have what it takes?

Septimus Heap

 Septimus Heap: Magyk  By Angie Sage

***** 5/5 stars  Fantasy

This book reminds me of Harry Potter, though they aren't the same. There are wizards and good against bad but that is about it. Silas Heap's baby disappears and that same night he finds a different baby, a girl. He takes her home and names her Jenna. Later Silas and his wife are told that Jenna is a princess. Filled with twists and turns this book is a delight.

The Penderwicks

The Penderwicks  By Jeanne Birdsall

****4/5 stars  Realistic Fiction

In my opinion, most realistic fiction books are boring but this book was very refreshing. It is different than other books in a good way. It is about the four Penderwick sisters who are spending the summer at an estate called Arundel. The Penderwicks explore the grounds doing the best they can to stay out of trouble, but it is very difficult.