Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel ****

Hello out there! This book is Starclimber by its author. The hero is Matt Cruse (again). This time he's called from his work in Paris to his native country Canada for training to become an astralnaut (their version of astronaut). He boards the first ship to try and make it to outer space. Pretty soon he's in danger (again).

I like this book because of the adventure.

I recommend this book for ages 12+.

Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel ****

Skybreaker is the second book in the Airborn trilogy. Mr. Matt Cruse is the only one in his world that knows the coordinates of the legendary airship Hyperion built by the famous inventor Thomas Grunel. However, he is pursued by a bunch of pirates who want to salvage the Hyperion. Sooner or later he'll have to go aboard the Hyperion to find out why the pirates want to get aboard the Hyperion so badly.

I like this book because of the adventure.

I recommend this book for ages 10+. 

On the Run book 1: Chasing the Falconers ****

Well then, I better get down to business about this book.  Chasing the Falconers is not a "ho hum" book. It is full of Danger! Drama! Derrin Do! And/or other stuff that don't begin with D (like adventure, and thrill). Aiden and Meg Falconer are determined to prove their parents innocence after their parents have been framed as the worst traitors in fifty years. First step: Get out of the juvenile delinquent prison Sunnydale in the middle of nowhere (actually it's in Nebraska).

I like this book because of the ingenious story plot.

I recommend this book for ages 10+.

Memo: Why do I always say "I recommend this book for anyone about to fall asleep"?  

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel ****

This is about a series of adventures of Matt Cruse, cabin boy aboard the airship Aurora. The ship rescues a hot air balloon in distress and the pilot tells Matt about beautiful creatures in the air. It's when he meet's the pilot's granddaughter, Kate de Vries, he realizes that the creatures might be real. 

I like this book because of the adventurousness of the story.

I recommend this book for ages 10+.

The River of Wind by Kathryn Lasky ****

This is number twelve in the Ga'hoole series so I might be spoiling some of the earlier books. A middle kingdom of owls has been discovered and The Band (a group of 4 owls) wants to explore it. While they're gone, however, a group of evil owls are plotting to kill the young king.

I like this book because of the adventure of this fantasy.

I recommend this book for ages 9-13.

P.S. I'd recommend that you read books 1-11 before reading this one.

The Red Badge of Courage by Steven Crane ****

This is about a young boy serving the U.S. army in the Civil War and finding out what war is really like. And in the end he gets killed (just joking), he survives the war with changes inside him. 

I like this book because of the story line and because of the changes in his thinking.

I recommend this book for ages 12+.  

The Merlin Consipiracy by Diana Wynne Jones ****

This is about the aftermath of after the Merlin of the Isles of Blest dies. A few people realize that the Merlin's replacement are plotting to use magic for themselves. Two of those people are Roddy (a girl), Grundo (a inside-out boy), and Nick Mallory (a boy from another world), and Romanov (a powerful wizard who lives on a island made from different worlds). 

I like this book because it is interesting and adventurous (although it was kind of confusing because of the way it jumps from character to character).

I recommend this book for ages 9+.

 

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven 4) by Brandon Mull ****

This is fourth installment for the Fablehaven series. It is about the characters of the previous books trying to get the key for the vault of an artifact that can partially open a demon prison. The key happens to be in a dragon sanctuary (which are more dangerous than Fablehaven) called Wrymroost. 

I like this book because of the danger, drama, derrin-do, and other things the author added.

I recommend this book for ages 8+.  

The War with Mr. Wizzle by Gordon Korman *****

Bruno and Boots have had enough of Mr. Wizzle! The dress code isn't the only thing that they don't like, there's Mr. Wizzle's computer and his other rules. So they form a committee with the girls at the finishing school across the road who have had enough of Miss Peabody (who is a retired solider from the U.S. army).

I like this book because it is very funny and is an ingenious story.

I recommend this book for ages 8+.   

George's Secret Key to the Universe by Steven and Lucy Hawking ****

This is about a boy named George who has "green" parents. He goes over to the forbidden next door yard to catch his pig and ends up meeting his new neighbors. His neighbors have a super computer that can visualize and teleport parts of space. However, a bad guy wants it and will try any thing to get it.

I like this book because of the science fiction of it.

I recommend this book for ages 9+.

 

The Enormous Egg by Oliver Butterworth ****

It all starts the day Nate Twitchell's hen laid an enormous egg. Now he's dying of curiousness to see what's inside the egg. When the egg does finally hatch, he's in for a big surprise. 

I like this book because of the imagination in it.

I recommend this book for ages 8+.

Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones *****

This is about people (some magicians) from another world who are menaced by the Pilgrim Parties (a weird tour business) owner Mr. Chesney who has them under his hat by way of a demon that Mr. Chesney has. In desperation the head people consult the Oracles (the Black and White Oracles) for help by asking them how to stop the Pilgrim Parties.

I like this book because of the adventure and drama  of this book.

I recommend this book for ages 9+.

Holes by Louis Sachar ****

This is about a boy (Stanley Yelnats) who was convicted of a crime that he didn't commit and is sentenced to a correction camp called Camp Green Lake. He and the other inmates dig holes every day in the dried up lake bed by order of the warden. When a boy he likes (Zero) runs away, he follows him.

I like this book because of the nice story line and the tale.

I recommend this book for those who like a nice story to read.

P.S. This book won the Newbury award a few years back. 

Radio Fifth Grade by Gordon Korman *****

This book is about three kids who are the (editors,directors?) of a school radio show called Kidsveiw in a town called Venice. When a new teacher for their grade arrives and gives them a lot of homework including a quiz for the weekend they decide to use the quiz for their show they have to keep it secret from their teacher. Lots of laughter follows when a parrot, the toughest bully, the pit people, and a teacher who's always reading are mixed in.

I recommend this book for those who like humor.   

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman ****

  (ahem) This book is about a boy whose family was murdered by a man Jack and is now cared after by ghosts and one neither dead or alive person. The boy grows up and is still in danger from the man Jack. However, he still manages to get into danger while in the graveyard.

I recommend this book for anyone who is not frightened of every little scary thing.

The Island Trilogy: Book 1 Shipwreck by Gordon Korman *****

The first book in the Island trilogy is Shipwreck (two thumbs up if you already know the name) which is about six kids on a court sentence to a punishment server called Chartering a New Course (CNC) where they are the main crew aboard  a ship called the Phoenix. When the ship sinks after a storm the captain is washed overboard and the mate deserts the kids the kids must survive a slowly sinking ship.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes a adventure book.    

This Island Isn't Big Enough for the Four of Us! by Gery Greer and Bob Ruddick *****

This is a really funny book (I mean it!). It is about two boys going camping on a wild island near a city. When they arrive they see two girls and goof up their landing. They try to get revenge which sets off a chain of funny happenings.

I recommend this book for (the four of us) ages 9-12.

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper ****

This book is about three kids on a vacation somewhere in England and they stumble on a mysterious map (ooh, scary) which leads to a grail. This discovery attracts the attention of bad guys which ultimately leads to a race to get the grail.

I recommend this book for ages 9+.

Sword in the Stone by Terence H. White ****

This book is about two lads named Kay and Wart. They go hawking in the Forest Sauvage and Wart meets a wizard named Merlyn. After that they (Wart and Kay) go on a series of adventures which leads to Kay getting knighted and Wart gets to be Kay's squire.

I recommend this book for ages 10 and up.    

Legacy of Evil by Greg Farshtey ****

Today, since this is the only book I can think of I guess I'll tell a little about it. This book is about the Piraka's (villains from the Bionicle universe) history. It starts 700,000 years from the beginning.

I wouldn't recommend this for anybody but Bionicle fans.

Ptolemy's Gate by Jonathan Stroud *****

In the last of the Bartimaeus trilogy Nathaniel is even older and is working in two departments and is high-ranking in the government. Bartimaeus is treated worse than ever and needs to go to his home. The former leader of a extinct group of rebels is training in magic and is curious in a theory called Ptolemy's Gate which probably can go to Bartimaeus's home, but only Ptolemy has (supposedly) successfully attempted it. Meanwhile the american colonies are rebelling (>=/) and the british empire is falling apart.

I recommend this book for adventure and drama readers.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart *****

The Mysterious Benedict Society is back in this book called The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Perilous Journey.  In this book the main characters (Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance) are on a rescue mission to save Mr. Benedict from Mr. Curtain's evil plan (bwahahahahahahahahaaaaa!). Mr. Curtain wants to find a plant that has the power to cure narcolepsy (both Mr. Benedict and Mr. Curtain have narcolepsy). So he tracked Mr. Benedict to the island that has that plant. Now He's threatening to hurt Mr. Benedict unless he finds the person that knows the location to the rare plant.

I recommend this book for ages 9-12. 

   

The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud *****

This is the sequel to The Amulet of Samarkind. In this book Nathaniel is older and works in the government as junior minister of Internal Affairs. There has been a mysterious break-in in some of the stores owned by magicians and as junior minister of Internal Affairs Nathaniel is trying to solve who or what did it. So, he summons Bartimaeus (a djinn of extreme power according to his way of thinking) to help him solve the case.

I recommend this book for those who like adventure and drama.

  

Simon Bloom, Gravity Keeper by Michael Reisman ****

This book is about a boy named Simon Bloom (apparently) who goes into a grove of trees that shouldn't be there and accidently finds a book that tells how to control physics. So, he and some friends start to use some of the "formulas" and find that some people want to get their hands on the book. Now they are trying to keep the wrong people from getting their hands on the book.

I recommend this book for ages 9+. 

The Amulet of Samarkind by Jonathan Stroud *****

The Amulet of Samarkind is a great book to read. It switches between the views of the two main character so you know how they feel during times. Bartimaeus is a djinn and Nathaniel is a magician (magicians rule London, so he's pretty important). Nathaniel orders Bartimaeus to steal the Amulet of Samarkind from rival magician Simon Lovelace (since Bartimaeus is bound he has to do it, but he tries to give Simon Lovelace a head start). It turns out that Lovelace hired a mercenary to steal from the government Lovelace works for. So when Nathaniel tries to turn him in Nathaniel is converted from good guy to bad guy in the newspaper. However, Lovelace is plotting to take over the government somehow.

I recommend this book for those who want to read about adventure and drama.

 

Henry Reed's Baby-Sitting Service ****

This book is one of several Henry Reed books. It is about Henry Reed's baby-sitting business. In it is some episodes of his service times and some other things. Like a young girl who drives baby-sitters crazy by doing a hiding-and-staying there-act.

 I recommend this for ages 9 and up . I like this book because it is funny.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart *****

The Mysterious Benedict Society is about four children responding to an advertisement in the newspaper. The book starts with a boy named Reynard's (Reynie for short) view of the story. The children arrive separately for the ad's test, but after they pass the test they are recruited for a mission to prevent a taking over the world guy. However there are problems in the way, and they are at risk of being brainwashed by a machine or worse.

I recommend this book for ages 9-12. I also would like to tell why I liked this book; I like this book because it is fun, suspenseful, and mysterious. 

Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain ****

Tom Sawyer is a book about a boy named (spoiler alert) Tom Sawyer (end spoiler alert). He is a boy who gets into trouble often, but manages to get away. Once he has to whitewash a fence as a punishment, so he gets other boys to do it for him. Then he sees a murder committed, and helps bring the criminal to justice (but not the justice of his aunt). However, the criminal escapes and disappears. 

I would recommend this book for 9 and older.

I like this book because it is adventurous and funny.     

Redwall by Brian Jacques ****

Redwall is the first book in the Redwall universe. It takes place at the ancient abbey of Redwall, where the animal inhabitants live in peace until a rat called Cluny the Scourge and his army of vermin creatures threaten the abbey. Young Matthias and a really old mouse, Methuselah, try to solve some riddles left by Martin the Warrior, the founder of the abbey, to save the abbey from the claws of Cluny the Scourge.

I reccomend this book for 5th grade to Adult animal fantasy readers, because of its difficult younger reader comprehension.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card *****

This is a 13-adult book, but I'm going to talk about this book anyway (I avoid telling how old I am). Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is a young, smart boy destined to lead the world into battle and win against the buggers (insect-like aliens) who have threatened the earth for a long time.  He is sent to Battle School, which is in outer space, for training to fight against the buggers. While he is there he earns the title of being the best soldier in the entire school.

     (ahem) I like this book because of the futuristic science-fiction genre of the book.  I also like all the battleroom scenes.  They are very exciting.  I don't think that I would do very well, but it would be interesting to try.

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci Volume I by Diana Wynne Jones *****

There are several books about Chrestomanci (including Charmed Life, The Lives of Christopher Chant, The Magicians of Caprona, Witch Week, Conrad's Fate, The Pinhoe Egg, and if there are any others I don't know what they are).

Now then, according to the books there are twelve different universes and this book is about the one next door (other than the death world). The Chrestomanci is their world's most powerful wizard and he controls the use of magic in that world. In this volume there are two books of the Chrestomanci books, the first one is about a boy named Cat Chant, and the second is about a boy called Christopher Chant.
Ok, so I was tired when I wrote this review, so I'll tell you more about this book.
The Chant boys are to be the next Chrestomanci after the old one dies, which is a long time since all of the Chrestomancis have nine lives. In Charmed Life, Cat (Eric) Chant doesn't seem to have any powers while his sister is passing tests on magic, so she dreams of ruling the world until a dark stranger appears and takes them to his house. In The Lives of Christopher Chant, Christopher can travel to other worlds and bring things back from the other worlds. When his Uncle Ralph discovers that, he uses Christopher's special powers to make a smuggling ring between the worlds, but when Christopher discovers that, he wonders what he could do to make every thing right again.

The Mad Scientists' Club by Bertrand R. Brinley *****

I have read this amazing book for boys. It is called (ahem, drumroll please!) The Mad Scientist Club. It is about some boys in a teeny town called Mammoth Falls (big name for a small town, huh?). They are all part of a club called the mad scientists' club. They are always doing something like making a monster out of a boat, some canvas (I think), a motor, and some other stuff. 

I recommend this book far boys 10,000 and up (just joking). Actually, I recommend this for 9 and up.     

The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau *****

The City of Ember is a great book to toss in the trash can, no, just kidding, it is actually a great book to read. O.k. people, here's the deal, the city of Ember is growing old and is falling apart. The inhabitants are seeking ways to get out of the city, yet no one can find a way out of Ember until a girl, Lina, finds a box which may be the secret.  Her younger sister chewed and ripped the paper inside the box, so some parts are missing.  She and a friend, Doon, have to puzzle it out.  

I recommend this book for ages 10-14.    

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder ****

Farmer Boy is a nice book for any 7, 8, or 9-year-old to read by the fire (I wish I could turn mine on). The main character is a young boy called Almanzo who lives on a farm in New York in the 1800's. It is about the events as he grows up (not into a man, but an older boy).

I recommend this book for 7, 8, or 9-year-olds because of its childish language. 

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey ****

Homer Price is a nice book with silly stories (unless you are a serious reader, then it's caveat emptor!). It is about a boy named Homer Price (obviously) who lives just outside a small town called Centerburg in Ohio. The adventures include a time when five (please leave a notice if I got the number wrong) robbers stole some money and after-shave lotion from inside a radio station, but Homer with the help of a skunk (it was a pet one) returns it to its rightful owner and gets half the money as a reward.

I personally recommend this book for the younger readers who can read chapter books without falling asleep (zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz). 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins**

Yeah, I read young adult books sometimes (especially Redwall books), but this one was definitely caveat lector (I mean it!) but if you like young adult brutal fiction, read on.

This book starts out with some of the main character's normal life, but then her younger sister gets picked as a tribute foooorrrr... the hunger games. Before I go on, let tell you about them. The hunger games are basically the way the central city (called the Capitol) of a nation called Panem reminds the twelve remaining districts (there used to be a thirteenth district, but that got destroyed during a war of the districts rebelling against the Capitol) that they are still under its power after the rebellion ended by ordering the districts to pick male and female tributes (people) to kill the other tributes from the other districts as well as the other tribute from the same district, and the last one alive wins (feeling sick? I am, blaugh!). Now she is in the arena for hunger games and the some of the other tributes are already dead.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend this book for the faint at heart and the younger readers.      

The Long Patrol by Brian Jacques *****

The Long Patrol is a beautifully written  book, although there are some nasty parts. It is about the adventures of a young hare called Tammello De Fformelo Tussock (long name, huh?) as he turns into a veteran fighter in the Long Patrol which is a army of hares with a badger for the Commander. They are fighting the greatrat (a large rat) Damug Warfang and his legions of Rapscallions.

I recommend this book for 5th grade to Adult animal fantasy readers, because of its difficult younger reader comprehension.  

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks ****

You know those kind of books that are pretty neutral (you can't decide whether it's good or bad), this is not one one of them, OK (unless you are a Lord of the Rings rights lawyer like some people whose reviews I read)? This is a (hmmmmm, I know!) pretty good fantasy book like, um (there's that no-idea problem again), a (a a a beatnik, yeah a beatnik! I sound like a beatnik!) Fablehaven book (see the review I did)! (end of commentary)

(now for the book)The Sword of Shannara is a different time fantasy book. It is set in our world centuries after a huge war destroying most of the technology and the people. One of the future ancestors of one of those who survived the war meets a legendary helper of the people who says that only he (yes, it's a boy) can save his world from becoming under the control of a guy who's supposed to be dead. 

The Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle *****

This book is the first of a series of mystery books about Sherlock Holmes and (his pal Frozone and Mr. Skipperdoo) Watson. The book starts with Watson finding a room with a mysterious bunkmate who seems to be busy. That man is none other than Sherlock Holmes who is a little-known but brilliant detective.    

I would read this if I were you (that is, if you are a mystery reader).

I Want to Go Home! by Gordon Korman *****

I Want to Go Home! by Gordon Korman is a hilarious book. It is about a boy named Rudy Miller who dislikes the island camp that he's at, so he tries to escape through a number of methods, but none of them work. Meanwhile he's wreaking havoc on the councilors who are trying to make him play along with the other boys.

I recommend this book for the humor reader because it is one of the funniest books ever written.   

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull ****

Fablehaven is an exciting book for younger readers and most adults (this means you, buster). It is about two kids going to their grandparents house for a while (typical fantasy beginning), but what they don't know is that their grandparents are the caretakers of a magical refuge. Now the author takes a new course (hoist the sails, Mr. Smee!) by making different rules for the magical creatures.

I recommend this book for relaxed readers (not serious readers) or 3rd grade to Adult readers.

Blue Noon by Scott Westerfield **

Blue Noon is the third and final book of the Midnighters trilogy.  The darkling are mounting an attack on certain points on the globe.  Will the darklings win?

My complaint about Blue Noon is no happy ending.  Come on people, shouldn't there be a happy ending for the heroes/heroines?  But in the book, no happy ending.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick ****

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is an interesting book.  It is half graphic novel and half prose.

It is about a boy who has a secret automaton which needs a key to operate.  The result is something you'll have to find out for yourself.