13 Treasures

13 Treasures is an interesting, suspenseful book by Michelle Harrison. It is full of fantasy characters such as fairies, trolls, and many more. Tanya is one of the few people who can see these creatures, or so she thinks. This book is full of a lot of scary mysteries.

Tanya has many problems in her life. The fairies that haunt her house are out to get her by wrecking things. This makes Tanya look like she did it. Her mother can’t take it any longer, so Tanya is sent to her Grandmother’s boring house. This time it isn’t that boring, but more scary because at her Grandmother’s house the fairies haunt the house like it is their own home.  

An old woman known as a witch gives Tanya a compass. She says it will help Tanya find her way to a magical place. Not only is that going on, but her Grandmother’s house has a history of witchcraft and secret passage ways.

This book is a journey for Tanya and the reader. Once you start imagining all the things that Tanya is going through, you will love it.

The Seer of Shadows

The Seer of Shadows by AVI is a great, suspenseful book. It is full of horrible things that couldn't come true, or could they? This book is about lots of people, like Horace Carpentine.

The setting of this book is 1872, in New York, and Horace Carpentine is Mr. Middleditch's apprentice. They work at a famous photography studio. When a woman comes in and asks for a photograph of herself to put in her dead daughter, Eleanora's tomb to comfort the dead. Mr. Middleditch thinks it would be funny if he had Horace take a picture of a picture of Eleanora in the woman's house to scare her into thinking Eleanora is a ghost in her photograph. But could Horace actually bring Eleanora back into the world with just a photograph?

This book is scary. It is a wonderful book that is great for children and adults. Children under the age of 10 may be scared. If you get scared easily don't read this book, but other than that it is a great book.

Thomas Alva Edison

Do you want to read a really good book on Thomas Edison? Well, a good historical, informational book on Thomas Edison is Thomas Alva Edison written by Margaret Frith. It tells many facts of Thomas' life.

Thomas Alva Edison  tells all about Thomas. Including how he invented many things like the lightbulb. But Thomas didn't just invent things, he also worked at a telegraphing office and many more interesting jobs. The book tells of Thomas' life in a short, but true story. It is full of many fun facts that you'll find fascinating.

This is a great book for kids. It is perfect if you are writing an essay on Thomas Alva Edison, because it tells you so many facts. It is an easy book for kids to read.

Crispin The Cross of Lead

Crispin The Cross of Lead by AVI is about a young boy who is a peasant to Lord John Acleifye in Stromford. When the boy's mother dies, he finds out many things his mother never told him, but the pieces don't seem to click together. He wants to learn more about himself and his family.

When the boy, Crispin is accused of stealing Lord John Acleifyes' money he is wanted badly, so he runs away from Stromford. While running away he meets a large man named Bear. They become great friends. Bear likes to juggle and sing and Crispin begins to play the fiddle with his buddy. They go from town to town to play their music. Bear not only is a friend, but he also has to protect Crispin from soldiers and others. Bear is later captured by soldiers, will Crispin risk his life for his mentor and the only company Crispin has? Crispin must keep up his search for his real father too. What will he do?

I think this book is a great book for kids and grown ups. Those who love books that are put in a setting of the medieval era will love this book. This book may be a little too scary for kids under the age of eight.  AVI is a great author for all ages. Check out some of his other books today.

The Hunger Games

One of the favorite books that I 've read this this year would have to be The Hunger Games.  The Hunger Games is written by Suzanne Collins. This book is about a girl named Katniss and a boy named Peeta who grow closer and closer through something called The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a fight to the death between two kids from each district. This happens every year. Kids try to stay out of it.  Through the book you wonder will Katniss and Peeta have to kill each other at the end?

    Katniss is very scared to be in the Hunger Games. She knows that at home her sister and mother are suffering without Katniss looking over them and getting them food.

   This is an action packed book full of amazing, terrific surprises that will keep you reading. Will Katniss or Peeta make it or will they sacrifice themselves for the other?

   I think age 9 and older would be the best age to read this book because it has scary things in it, including blood. This is an amazing book you should read.  Boys love this book, but who said a girl couldn't? I know I did!

If Your Reading This It's Too Late

I just finished the second book of the series, Secret. ( FYI the book after The Name Of This Book Is A Secret.) The second book is called If Your Reading This It's Too Late it is also by the author Pseudonymous Bosch.

This book is about the same main characters, Cass and Max- Ernest. Now, I have to stop telling you everything in this book because if you haven't read the other book yet I can't tell you anything not even a little snip of information. Maybe, maybe, just a little bit of information; Cass and Max-Ernest are on a journey to find a homunculus! A homunculus is a little man made in a jar that is made from, let's just say dung. He or she acts like a human, but is really not. I mean for heaven sakes he or she is born in a jar of dung that is definately not human. This homunculus was created by a mysterious magician/mad scientest. The weird homunculus' name is Cabbage Face; you'll have to find out why. This is a mystery for Cass and Max-Ernest and of course the reader.

I recommend this book for mystery solvers. I also think readers 8 and up will love this book. Now, you have to go check it out or go buy it. Good luck finding it, it might be sold out or checked out because it is such a great book, so hurry and get it soon!

Knock at a Star

My first poem anthology book that I read this year was Knock at a Star. This book of poems is by X.J. Kennedy and Dorothy M. Kennedy. The Kennedys have put famous poems written by various poets into their book. This book is full of children friendly poems that make you laugh or even cry. One of my favorite poem in this book is " Two People" by Eve Merriam.

                                                                 Two People
                                                           She reads the paper,
                                                           while he turns on TV;
                                                           she likes the mountians
                                                           he craves the sea.
                                                          

                                                           He'd rather drive,
                                                           she'll take a plane;
                                                           he waits for sunshine,
                                                           she walks in the rain.

                                                           He gulps down cold drinks,
                                                           she sips hot;
                                                           he asks, " Why go?"
                                                           she asks, " Why not?"

                                                          In just about everything
                                                          they disagree,
                                                          but they love one another
                                                          and they love me.

                                                                            Eve Merriam
                            

If you liked this poem there are many more like it. The Kennedy's walk you through the process of creating and reading poems. Dorothy and X.J. Kennedy have a strong writing career. X.J. has written books on science fiction, illustrated, and written many poems. Dorothy and X.J. are husband and wife. They have received many awards for their books. The Kennedys write both adult and children books. They have written hundreds of books.  Knock at a Star being one of the many.

I think anyone would enjoy this book. It has many different types of poems. If you like rhyming poems, then read this book. If you like hiakus, then read this book. If you like any kind of poem, read this book now!!!