Thomas Jefferson Middle School

Library

Student Book Reviews

In the book, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the story revolves around Ginny, a very cautious girl who absolutely loved her aunt. After finding out her aunt died months ago, she now discovers a pack of envelopes made by her aunt, for her to follow. Ginny learns about her aunt’s sickness and the effect of the sickness which lead to her death! This is a very funny and adventurous book that I found very enjoyable because of the fun of reading it. Like I said, I liked this book very much, especially the funny parts and the very unusual characters the author, Maureen Johnson, put in the book; that gave the book a new feeling of energy. Also I thought the little bit of romance put in the book was absolutely adorable, how Ginny missed her so called “boyfriend,” even though she wasn’t very sure about her own feelings, or about those of the boy, Keith. I found this part so cute and most girls will find it very enjoyable. Because of the unusual characters and the fact that there is some romance, most girls will enjoy it way more and understand the feelings of Ginny so much more than the guys, so I think the girls should definitely check this book out instead.  (af-Ms. Bauman)   F  JOH

Dunk, written by David Lubar, is set in the summer at the Jersey Shore.  A high-school teenager named Chad wants to earn money for college, so he decides it would be fun to become a “Bozo”.  A Bozo is a type of clown at a game booth on the boardwalk, who yells at and insults people to try to get them to play his game.  (If the Bozo is really obnoxious, he can get people so mad that they’ll pay money for the chance to try to dunk the clown in a tank.)  The pay is very good.  Malcolm, who is Chad’s neighbor, is a Bozo and teaches Chad to become one. However, Chad also has to deal with his athletic best friend Jason, who has a very bad illness and is in the hospital for months.  Chad brings Malcolm with him as he visits Jason often in the hospital to cheer him up.   There’s also Gwen, the girl Chad really loves, who works at the Cat-A-Pult booth on the boardwalk.  But Anthony, who is a little older, also likes Gwen.  There is where the conflict starts.  I liked this book because it reminds me of the Jersey Shore and makes me think how much fun it would be to work at the boardwalk.  I would recommend this book to people who like the boardwalk.  Maybe there are some who would even like to become a Bozo one day.  (gb-Bauman)  F LUB

 

The book Eager by Helen Fox takes a look into the future, complete with robots, environmental problems, and corrupt leaders. This book follows the adventures of the Bell family (Mr. Bell, Mrs. Bell, Fleur, Gavin, and Baby Charlotte), a middle-class family in the future. The story begins when the Bell family’s loyal and old robot begins breaking down. With no money to buy a new one, a scientist friend lends them an experimental robot, EGR3, or Eager. Compared to the new, eccentrically human-like BDC4s, which only technocrats (government officials and scientists) can afford, Eager is a simple kitchen gadget! However, when the BDC4s begin acting very strangely, the Bell children are glad to have Eager helping them solve the mystery and save the world!  I really enjoyed this book because of all the futuristic descriptions and adventurous twists. Eager’s curiosity and eagerness cause several hilarious moments. I would recommend this book to science fiction fans or anyone who supports the underdog! (mr-Pizzuta)     F FOX Sci Fic

 

 

Emmy, the protagonist of the book Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat, by Lynne Jonell, is the definition of a “good girl”.  Everything that her nanny, Miss Barmy, tells her to do, she does.  Whether it’s eating her vegetables or going to her many, many extracurricular activities, Emmy does it all without question.  Yet when she happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (or right place at the right time, depending on how you look at it) and overhears some things she probably shouldn’t have, she begins to question her “nanny’s” motives.  Once she befriends “The Rat” and the two start investigating the situation, they discover something they never dreamed of nor ever thought possible.  A truly captivating story from start to finish, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat is the perfect book for any die-hard fantasy lover, as well as a great read for those just delving into the genre.  I absolutely recommend this book for anybody looking for a great weekend read, as this book will surely go above and beyond your expectations; and the adorable flip book on the edges of the pages and its equally as adorable art will definitely keep you entertained for a while!  (sk-Bauman)  F JON Fantasy

 

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn, by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler, is an exciting mystery full of plot twists, sword fights, and plenty of riddles.  The story follows Seiki Konoike, a son of a tea merchant, on his journey to Edo, now known as Tokyo.  On his journey, Seiki gets involved in a robbery at an inn he and his father stay at on their way to the city.  There, he meets Judge Ooka, a cunning samurai who was called to solve the crime.  The judge takes a liking to Seiki and enlists him to help him catch the thief.  On their journey, they encounter many obstacles, such as red herrings (false clues) and a suspicious kabuki (Japanese theater) troupe.  I thought this book was engaging because you actually feel the excitement of the story as it happens.  I also enjoyed the vivid descriptions and challenging riddles.  I would recommend this book to anybody who loves a good mystery and who wouldn’t mind learning some Japanese history and lingo.  (rf-Bauman)  F HOO Mystery

 

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                   Jess Jordan:  girl, fifteen, charming but insane! 

Jess Jordan is just your average fifteen-year-old girl, who describes herself as “charming but insane”.  (Oh, and she has a butt the size of a mountain range.)  In this hysterical tale of a British teen’s witty personal struggles, Jess always seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.  The book Girl, 15, Charming but Insane by Sue Limb is definitely a book for people who want to hear a relatable story about the chaotic yet hilarious life of a girl who suffers from the occasional rough day at school, just like everyone else.  This book had me laughing all the way through, and I really felt like I could visualize being in Jess’s life.  I loved it!  While reading this book I felt as if I were reading the story of someone I had known my whole life.  Jess’s perfect, beautiful, blonde, and busty best friend Flora is no comparison to any other girl in town.  But will Flora’s godly body and stunning good looks keep Jess from the man of her (and pretty much every other girl’s) dreams?  Or, in the end, will love be found for Jess in a more unusual place?  Read Girl, 15, Charming but Insane by Sue Limb to find out how Jess finds herself and her strange but lovable granny, too!  (lw-Bauman)   F LIM

Teenagers are always curious. In The Kissing Diary by Judith Caseley, Rosie Goldglitt is a regular teen. Rosie is very self-conscious. She constantly thinks about what kissing must feel like and even watches others. Her crush, Robbie, seems to hate her, but she doesn't know why. In addition, Mary, a very popular girl and Rosie's enemy, seems to have caught his eye. Will Rosie end up with precious Robbie? Find out in The Kissing Diary. Personally, I did not enjoy this book at all. It seems to drag on with no rising or falling action. I would not recommend it to anyone.  (dv-Pizzuta)   F CAS

 

The Lacemaker and the Princess, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, follows the story of Isabelle, a girl from a family of poor lacemakers in the French town of Versailles. When Isabelle is spotted by Queen Marie Antoinette at the palace, she is taken to the young princess, Marie Thérèse, to be her friend. Isabelle is glad to be free for a while of her strict grandmother and poverty-stricken home. The palace is full of treasures and fine things like new dresses, horses, and exquisite food. The princess, like the rest of the royalty, is oblivious to all the needs of the French people, who are starving and poor. Whispers of rebellion and revolution are everywhere, even in the palace. Isabelle struggles to relate these rumors with the royal family she knows, and to decide which side she’s on.   I thought this book was okay. I was not able to connect to the characters very much. Isabelle was swayed too easily, and the princess’s real emotions were hard to understand. However, historical fiction fans may find this quick, easy read interesting and fresh.  (mr-Pizzuta)   F BRA Hist. Fic. World History

 

The book The Legend of Buddy Bush by Shelia P. Moses illustrates the struggles of racism and the strong bonds of friendship and family.  It starts off simply, as twelve-year-old Pattie Mae Sheals performs her mundane morning chores on Rehobeth Road, a former slave plantation.  She picks the cucumbers, eats her breakfast, and daydreams about one day going to Harlem to become a city girl, leaving her life in North Carolina behind her.  But this all changes in the course of one night when Pattie Mae comes to see a movie with her beloved uncle, Buddy Bush, who still lives as a city boy with style and no thoughts about racism.  As she witnesses her uncle get framed for a crime, her entire future becomes a tangle of racism and hate, as well as love, friendship, and hope for the future.  This book portrays that through the darkness of the world, there is a lot of light.     (hl-Bauman)  F MOS Hist. Fic. 1900s

Ever since kindergarten, Abby O’Malley has been aware of a hereditary power that she calls the Magic Nation thing, because her teacher had said that it was her imagination.  Her mother says that it started with her great aunt Fianna, like a witch-like skill. Lately, Abby has used this power to help her mother’s private investigating agency, with an arson case and a kidnapping case. Her friend Paige soon finds out and is anxious to take advantage of her friend’s powers to solve mysteries. Paige didn’t find anything important until they went to the ski slopes, when the girls became distracted by two snowboarding “hunks” and lost Paige’s six-year-old brother Skyler. I would recommend this book to any ‘tween-ager looking for leisure reading.  (jh-Pizzuta)  F SNY

 

The book The Magic Nation Thing by Zilpha Keatley Snyder shows how people may have amazing talents but should use them in moderation.  Abbey O’Malley is a 12 year old girl who wishes she was normal and had a normal family.  She lives with her mother in San Francisco.  Her parents are divorced; her father lives in Los Angeles.  Her mother is always telling her about their Great-aunt Fianna who could tell things about people such as their location by touching an item that person touched.  When Abbey’s friend Paige gets a hold of this information, Abbey instantly regrets telling her.  Paige’s idea of how to use Abbey’s supposed talents is to form their own detective agency.  Abbey is opposed to this idea because her mother is a detective and Abbey doesn’t truly believe in the gift.  Unfortunately for Abbey, life this her with a curve ball and she is forced to use her talents for an important situation.  I personally thought that the story had an interesting plot, but had much unused potential.  The story could have been made so much more interesting than it was.  It also took too long for the story to get going.  I recommend it to anyone with a vast imagination and interest in the supernatural who doesn’t need excitement in a book.  (ra-Pizzuta)   F SNY 

 

 

The book A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass is a heartwarming story (unless you don’t like cats!) of a teenage girl who, ever since a traumatizing math experience in third grade, has considered herself a freak.  Mia sees colors and shapes with every sound she hears and every number or letter she reads, a condition known as synethesia.  Up until the third grade, she assumed everybody else did the same, but she soon learned otherwise.  For years, she keeps her secret hidden from everybody, but when bad grades and school frustration force her to seek help, she discovers something that makes her feel normal again.  Yet she will have to sacrifice one of the most important things in her life in order to gain back control of it after she unknowingly isolates herself from her loved ones.  This is a heartwarming story from cover to cover.  A Mango-Shaped Space showed me that we’re never as alone in our struggles as we think; there’s always something (or someone) willing to help.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anybody looking for a light, happy book to read.  (sk-Bauman)  F MAS

The book Mississippi Jack by L.A. Meyer is thrilling. Filled with amazing journeys, this book is great for any young girl who loves some adventure. The book is about Jack Faber. Jack is a girl who always causes trouble. Because she had committed treason in Britain, Jack successfully escapes to America. Unknown to Jacky, her love, Jaimy, is only a couple days behind her, following her tracks. Jack encounters many interesting events in America. However, after a while Jacky gets tired and weary of the problems she faces daily on the American frontier. What Jacky wants is to be with her beloved back on the ocean. Will Jacky get her dream or will her instinctive and often reckless plans lead Jaimy further away?  I thought that this book was great and unique because of the way the female heroine of the story is depicted. Unlike most books where the female heroine is often deemed weak and helpless, Mississippi Jack shows just how adventurous and, often crazy, girls can be.  (jg-Bauman)  F MEY Adventure

 

The book Nightrise by Anthony Horowitz shows how people can have huge responsibilities unwillingly forced upon them.  Scott and Jamie Tyler are two orphan boys performing for their “Uncle” Don in the Reno Playhouse.  They have always had an ability to read other people’s minds and control them.  Because of these talents, one of these twins finds himself locked up in a research project while the other is desperately searching for his brother.  Although they don’t know it at first, both of these boys, mere teenagers, are part of the five; a group of five children with the power to stop the return of the Old Ones who would take over the world and destroy life as we know it.  Jamie gets mixed up in many violent encounters including going to the most dangerous juvenile correction facility in the world and getting fatally shot.  This would normally mean the end for Jamie, but the five never die.  This is because there are three worlds in this story; one 10,000 years ago, the one in present day, and the dream that connects the two.  When one of the five dies, the other also dies, and they temporarily change worlds.  Jamie and Scott find themselves in a war between two worlds that will determine not only their fate, but the world’s.  I enjoyed this book because the action starts right away and doesn’t stop until the last page.  It also had a very engaging plot.  I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in action and suspense stories.   (ra-Pizzuta)  F HOR Sci. Fic. 

 

Do you love adventure, suspense, surprise, and a story you can’t put down? If so, you should read this book! Nightrise is the third book in the Gatekeepers series. This book introduces many new characters and answers many questions that the previous two books, Raven’s Gate and Evil Star introduced. The book’s two main characters are Jamie and Scott Tyler, Native American twins from Nevada. They were abandoned as babies and soon were thrown from foster home to foster home. They both have supernatural powers: the ability to read minds and command people to do things. They are destined to be part of the five children who will save the world. Many people in the book are doing everything they can to try and stop them from joining the other three children. When Scott gets kidnapped, will Jamie be able to rescue him while being hunted down by the same people who kidnapped Scott? Or will he, too, get kidnapped and never be able to join the five? Find out in this exciting, interesting story.  (en-Pizzuta)   F HOR Sci. Fic

 

The book Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes shows that you should always try to make new friends.  In the beginning, Martha Boyle goes on a summer visit to her grandmother’s cottage by the Atlantic Ocean.  But during her visit she can’t seem to forget about the death of one of her classmates, Olive Barlow, and Martha thinks she should have been nicer to her.  Martha gets confused when she develops feelings for an older boy and talks to her grandmother.  She’s also thinking about becoming a writer and thinks she needs to tell her dad about it (he’s writing a novel).  I liked this book because it was a book some people can relate to.  What I liked about Olive’s Ocean was that it takes place near one of my (and Martha’s) favorite places, the ocean.  I would recommend this book to students who like adventure and short books.   (gg-Bauman)  F HEN

 

 

The book Poison Ivy by Amy Goldman Kass is a great and enjoyable book.  This books is about a girl named Ivy.  She is picked on, made fun of, and harassed daily by The Evil Three (Ann, Sophie, and Benita).  When a teacher, Ms. Gold, becomes aware of this harassment, she gives Ann two choices.   She can go to “Big Bad Broccoli”, the principal, and get suspended.  The second choice is to have a trial in class.  Ann, Sophie, and Benita don’t want to get suspended so they agree to have the in-class trial.  The whole class gets involved in this trial.  This book is filled with drama and will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next.  This is why I liked this book.  I would recommend this book to girls who are interested in the judicial system and drama.  (sb-Bauman) F KOS

 

When the book Predator’s Gold by Philip Reeve begins, it is kind of difficult to follow.  But as the story carries on you will get a good idea of what is what.  This book is about a world about 1,000 years in the future.  In this world, all of the continents are mostly ice and all of the surviving people are aboard moving cities.  Some cities mind their own business and drift along, while other cities like to devour smaller cities for their resources.  These cities are predators.  The story is mainly about a young couple whose names are Hester and Tom.  They land on a city and Tom starts to be attracted to another girl.  When she finds out what Tom is up to, Hester does something that has consequences for the whole city.  (vb-Bauman)  F REE Fantasy

 

The book The Puppet Wrangler by Vicki Grant shows that odd fantasies may come to life.  The book starts out with Telly in seventh grade living in Beach Meadows.  Telly has an extremely rebellious teen sister named Bess who is always getting in trouble with the law.  Because of Bess’ behavioral issues, Telly is sent away to Toronto to live with her aunt Kathleen, a TV show producer.  While on the set of Kathleen’s TV show, Telly meets a puppet named Bitsie who is actually alive.  Every day after filming, Telly and Bitsie spend hours talking to each other.  They become friends because Bitsie is alone because a puppet can’t talk to anyone and because Telly has nothing to do because her aunt is always busy.  Telly and Bitsie go on exciting adventures together and learn that true friendship can come in many ways.  I enjoyed this book because it had an interesting plot and is a page turner.  It was also a good book because it is so wild and imaginary that you just can’t put it down.  I recommend this book to anyone with a vivid imagination or anyone who likes puppets.   (ra-Pizzuta)  F GRA  Fantasy

 

 

In Regarding the Bathrooms by Kate Klise, Mr. N’s class has returned to Geyser Creek Middle School for summer school. During this time, all of the students must get jobs for the summer. The bathrooms in the school look dreadful. Once again, Florence Waters in hired to renovate them. Meanwhile, Sam’s and Goldie’s marriage is falling apart. In addition, Sally Mander and Dee Eel have escaped from jail. Where are they? Who helped them escape? To find out, read Regarding the Bathrooms. This book is fun to read for people of all ages! The author is very creative with her writing. You will love reading this book.  (dv-Pizzuta)  F KLI

 

 

Regarding the Sink by Kate Klise shows how friends can really save you sometimes. In this sequel to Regarding the Fountain, Geyser Creek Middle School needs a new sink because the one they have now is clogged with beans. Once again, beloved Florence Waters is asked to do the job; however, she isn’t responding to her letters! Along the way, Senator Sue Ergass makes sure that everyone donates beans to the citizens of China to save the Sinkiang Blinking Spotted Suckerfish from being eaten to extinction. Where is Florence and who can people really trust? Read Regarding the Sink to find out! I loved to read this book because of the fun layout. It was a nice, quick read. I would recommend this book to people of all ages because I enjoyed reading it so much. (dv-Pizzuta)  F KLI

 

So B. It by Sarah Weeks is an interesting book that reveals the difficulties in life that one young girl must deal with. Heidi It lives with her mentally disabled mother and Bernadette, her neighbor. Heidi does not know anything about her past and her family history. Heidi’s mother, So B. It, constantly says the word soof, but does not reveal to anyone what it means. Bernadette believes that there are certain things in life that a person will never know, but Heidi believes otherwise. Heidi goes on an adventure to Liberty, New York because of a photograph that she finds. Will Heidi discover truth in Liberty or is her past something she will never know?  I believe this is a very emotional and touching book with excitement and anguish.  Heidi’s adventure reveals many things about her life and made me think about my own. I connected with Heidi and thought about things in my life that I may have taken for granted. I believe this is a very good book for anyone who likes to read realistic-fiction books about the difficulties some people must overcome.   (iy-Pizzuta)  F WEE

 

Hunter Braque is a seventeen-year-old who resides in New York City.  He takes part in a group in which the members discuss and view shoe advertisements.  In addition, Hunter gets paid to spot the new trends going around and report them to the group.  At meetings, a product will get “the Nod” if it is cool.  More importantly, it is essential to point out the un-cool.  Then, Hunter meets Jen James, a girl who wears her shoelaces in a unique and cool way.  Being a “cool-hunter”, Hunter notices Jen’s originality, and decides to take her along to a group meeting.  At the meeting, the members view a shoe ad and Jen notices something “un-cool” and informs Hunter’s boss, Mandy.  The day after the meeting, Mandy tells Hunter that she was intrigued by Jen and that she wants the both of them to meet up with her in Chinatown the following day to discuss a “big deal”.  When Jen and Hunter get there, all they find is Mandy’s abandoned phone.  From that moment, Hunter and Jen find themselves on a chase through New York City to find the suddenly-disappeared Mandy and to solve a conspiracy aimed at the consumer world.  This book is exhilarating, suspenseful, entertaining and adventurous.  I would recommend this book to mature readers ages 13+ who reading adventure stories.  You’ll surely give So Yesterday by Scott Westerfield “the Nod”.  (ik-Bauman)  F WES

 

As I picked up my copy of Such a Pretty Face, edited by Ann Angel, I half-expected it to be like an overdramatic chick flick, but I was wrong. Such a Pretty Face is a collection of stories about beauty, outer and inner, by several different authors.  They weigh the difference between physical and emotional splendor.  For example, one story includes a blonde who dyes her hair blue because she feels that she is meant to be different and striking rather than pretty.  Another is about a girl who moves to another country, intrigued and slightly envious of the other girls’ silky hair and honey-colored tans, only to find how much they long for her peachy-white skin. Though this book includes one or two stories which I found cliché and lackluster, the other moving selections certainly made it worth reading.  In addition to portraying new, different speculations of beauty, it helps us acknowledge and appreciate the morals we are all exposed to but sometimes choose to deny.  (hl-Bauman)   F SUC  Short Stories

Twilight is a book written by Stephenie Meyer and set in a small town called Forks in Washington State.  In a college-level high school biology class, Isabella and Edward are partners.  Isabella feels there is something strange about Edward.  He has pale skin with dark eyes that change color every day.  He drives “Bella,” as he calls her, to school sometimes at 100 mph.  Finally, she asks him if he is a vampire.  He replies, “Yes.”  “Bella, I couldn’t live with myself if I ever hurt you,” Edward tells her.  Bella trusts him and he trusts her.  She meets his family, all of whom are vampires.  They are all kind to Bella—but not all vampires are.  This is where the trouble begins.  I liked this book because it is a type of fantasy.  I recommend this book to mature readers who like to take themselves on an adventure with a vampire. (gb-Bauman)  F MEY Fantasy

 

The book Wait For Me is an unforgettable story about a girl named Mina. It is a story of growing up, living a life without lies, and finding yourself. Mina, an 18-year-old Korean girl living in California, is faced with multiple problems. Her mother has planned Mina’s whole life out: honor classes leading to Harvard. As far as her mother knows, Mina is on her way to Harvard. But Mina has a secret and many, many lies that she is hiding away from her mother. Mina also has the responsibility of protecting her little sister, Suna, from her mother’s wrath. Suna has a hearing problem and this gets her mother very angry. Mina’s life was already complicated enough before Ysrael came into the picture. Ysrael was the migrant worker Mina’s parents hired to help with their Laundromat. Soon, a relationship blossoms between the two of them and Mina is faced with a decision that will change her life forever. Mina longs to run away with Ysreal, but she knows she could never leave Suna. She also cannot disappoint her parents. With her duties and her desires at war, Mina has to decide what she will do with the rest of her life. This beautifully written book is a must-read!   (en-Pizzuta)  F NA