The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, Bk 1)

Percy was just a normal 6th grade boy with a great mom, who tried her best to support them, and a "dad", who was just the opposite. In a sudden event during a field trip to the museum, Mrs. Dodds, the math teacher, turned into Alecto. 

Alecto is one of the three Furies (chief servants of Hades), and head torturers in the Underworld. When she turns into her true form and accuses Percy of stealing a lightning bolt, Percy realizes something is up. He is taken to a camp called camp half-blood where he finds out that he is a son of Poseidon, therefore being a demi-god, or half-blood, and finds out that Greek mythology is actually real. 

Zeus' most powerful weapon, his lightning bolt, has been stolen from him, and Percy is being accused. Percy must go to Olympus, and persuade the gods that it was not him that stole the lightning bolt. 

On this quest, Percy and his friends encounter some big obstacles, and most dangerous of all, monsters sent from Hades himself that want to hunt down and kill Percy. Will Percy be able to complete the quest, or will there be a chaotic war between the gods until the lightning bolt is found and Percy is killed, creating even more catastrophe than World War II?

The genre of this fast paced exhilarating book is fantasy. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Greek mythology or action. Read The Lightning Thief and the other 4 books that come after it in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

Reviewed by Bella ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 740

Attack of the Clones by Patricia C. Wrede (Star Wars Series, Book 2)

The book Attack of the Clones was about Anakin Skywalker watching Padme. He had to watch her to keep her safe from the assassins trying to kill her. Along the way they find different clues . While Anakin was watching Obi-Won was figuring out the clues. Anakin even tries to save his mom. There are a lot of sudden changes in the book and I would rate the book 9/10. 

It's a very good short book to read that is 6th grade level. I thought that some of the parts were sad and some of the parts were funny. would recommend this book to any Star Wars fan and people who like space and adventure stories. The book is obviously realistic fiction. All in all I think this is a very good short book to read.

Reviewed by Evan ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 730

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, Book 1)

This extremely awesome book is about twelve year old Percy Jackson whose father left him as a boy with his mother. Percy never really thought of his father much because his mom is with a smelly guy named Gabe. Percy is a troubled kid who has dyslexia and ADHD, and had gotten kicked out of many schools. He has thought his life was completely normal, but as you know in books it really isn't. 

The mystery of Percy's father and his dyslexia and ADHD are all clues to something rare, special and life threatening.

Reviewed by Ryan ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 740

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles, Book 1)

Cinder is about a 16 year old girl who is a cyborg and lives in the town of New Beijing. A deadly plague comes and people believe that the Lunars are doing it. Lunars live in a planet called Luna. They are ruled by Queen Lavana. Cinder's stepmother forces her to be a patient to find a cure to the plague. Cinder finds out Lavana is coming to New Beijing to marry Prince Kai. Will Cinder be able to save Kai and her town from the wicked queen? I recommend this book! Read the book to find out!

Reviewed by Elizabeth

Lexile 790

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Love, loss, betrayal, and family. Jandy Nelson’s I’ll Give You The Sun is a combination of all four. This is a dramatic story told in two perspectives. Jude and Noah Sweetwine are twins and the best of friends. Jude always has Noah’s back. Noah is a shy artist, constantly needing his twin’s help. Noah loves his mother with all his heart, but his dad… not so much. Jude on the other hand is the favorite and loves both her parents. 

Their father is always trying to get Noah to swim, watch sports, wrestle, and basically become more manly. Noah just doesn’t work like that. He likes art… and boys. Jude loves surfing, swimming, and is a daring girl. 

One summer, Noah sees a moving truck next door. Next thing you know, him and the boy next door have a growing friendship, and possibly something more. The summer is going great, until the trip to the art museum. A drawing competition and an entry into art school pull the twins apart. Prepare to fall in love with the characters, the plot, and suffer many emotions. This story of reconnection will leave you wanting more.

Reviewed by Morgan ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 740

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour By Morgan Matson

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour By Morgan Matson is a romance novel. In this book Amy and Roger are dating and they are going on a trip. They decide along the way that they should take a detour without telling their paranoid parents. After they finish their trip and get home they realize that they probably made one of the worst mistakes of their lives. What was the big mistake? Where will that take them next? I suggest to read this book because it has a great lesson. You should also read the sequel Second Chance Summer. Definitely read the book it is a great novel and you might be surprised in the end.

Reviewed by Megan ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 790

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie

Sunshine Griffith lived a normal life in Austin,Texas but shortly after her 16th birthday, her and her mother moved north to Ridgemont, Washington. They moved in order for her mom to be closer to her new nursing job. While keeping up with school, Nolan, and bonding time with her mother, Sunshine must discover what/who is making her house paranormal. I absolutely loved this book and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good horror book.

Reviewed by Emily ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 790

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Ungifted by Gordon Korman is about Donovan Curtis in 8th grade. He goes to your typical trashy middle school, Hardcastle. Donovan has quite a reputation, and it isn't a good one. He's known as a huge troublemaker along with his two friends, Daniel Sanderson and Daniel Nussbaum. 

One day, Donovan gets into detention on the day of a huge basketball game takes place, when the principal leaves Donovan unattended the Daniels break Donovan out of detention. Donovan comes upon the bronze statue of Atlas, and he randomly bangs it with a stick. When he does the statue breaks down and rolls down the hill it was placed upon and it rams into the gym. This destroys the gym which gets the superintendent involved. 

The superintendent writes down his name, to remember it, but there's a mixup. Instead of getting the punishment of his life, he gets into the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. At the Academy, Donovan meets many cool people. He meets a genius known as Noah, a try-hard named Abigail, a kind girl called Chloe, a gentle teacher nicknamed Mr.Oz and many more students. He stays here to hide from the superintendent's wrath, and wait until everything dials down. 

Read how Donovan and his friends help the Academy and how his consequences catch up with his actions.

Reviewed by Sarah ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 730

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz is about a boy named Yanek Gruener. Yanek is a 10 year old Jewish boy who lives with his family in the 1930s in Poland. He lives in Krakow in an apartment flat during World War 2. It's a common topic, but no one believes the War will affect them seriously. 

One day Nazis invade Krakow, and change everyday life. It's not too bad, but still bad. Jews become isolated with a wall separated from the Poles. About 2 years later, Yanek's parents disappear and had probably gotten killed/executed by the Nazis. The Nazis later take Yanek to a concentration camp near Krakow, Plazow. At Plazow there is a ruthless Nazi called Amon Goeth, who randomly kills Jews for sport. 

Read this story to see how Yanek survives through 10 concentration camps in 6 years.

Reviewed by Sarah ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 760

Wonder by R. J. Palacios

Wonder is a wonderful book about Auggie Pullman who struggles to get through 5th grade. The thing about Auggie is that he has a face disorder. His face does not look normal. He meets some friends for life and enemies. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Reviewed by Allie - 6th Grade

Lexile 790

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Wonder is about a child with disabilities and has some trouble at school. This child's name is August and he has been home schooled for all of his life until 5th grade year and it was hard for him but it ended up becoming better and a little bit easier for August.

Reviewed by Cassidy - 6th Grade

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Wonder is about a boy Auggie Pullman who has a face deformation. He faces 5th grade with mean and nice people/friends. Things get easier for him throughout the book but he survives 5th grade but you have to find out how.

Reviewed by Gabbi - 6th Grade

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Wonder is a very heartwarming and interesting book. It is about a boy named August who has a face deformation because of all the surgeries he's had. August goes to school for the first time but a lot of the kids are being rude to him. He has a hard time at school but at the end everything changes. I really recommend this book.

Reviewed by Alexandra - 6th Grade

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The book is about a boy he has a a disorder face he gets bully because of how he looks and he has to deal with other drama I really like this book .

Reviewed by Tanya - 6th Grade

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Legend by Marie Lu

Legend was a great book. It was science fiction, action and romance. What happens when a the Republic's greatest prodigy June and the Republic's worst criminal Day meet? 

Day was a normal boy living in the Republic wanting the Colonies to lose and the Republic to win, but when he failed his Trial his whole life changed. Day was sent to an experimentation lab but he escaped and met a girl named Tess. In order to survive on the streets he had to steal and pickpocket. When one of his family members catches the plague Day breaks into a hospital to get medicine. He escapes but without the medicine. On his way out he throws a knife at a young soldier called Metias, without intent to hurt him. 

June is not a normal girl, she got a perfect score on her Trial, which is nearly impossible. She goes to the best college in the Republic and she causes a lot of trouble there. When she is told that her brother, Metias was killed she swears she'll find the killer. June goes undercover, sure that Day the infamous criminal. She finds him and they find out that they have something special, a connection, a love for each other. 

What will happen to these 2 teens and what will they overcome together? Read Legend to find out!

Reviewed by Sarah - 6th Grade

Lexile 710

Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer

One Kid, A Perfect Murder, A Faceless Witness. I was really enticed and interested. It was awesome. I would really like to recommend it to people it is a who dun- it book that's funny and interesting.

Reviewed by Joshua ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 790

The Isle of the Lost by Melissa De La Cruz

When all of the fairy tales had ended in happily ever after, King Beast and Queen Belle had created the United States of Auradon. There, they had lived in harmony and peace. Also, when King Beast and Queen Belle the United States of Auradon, they had brought back to life any villain that had ever existed, and sent them off to the Isle of the Lost, including their kids. There, they lived in a place with no television, Internet, or any access to magic. 

This book is very interesting. If you like Disney princesses, and fairy tales, this is a good book for you. There were some points where I couldn't put the book down!

Reviewed by Jenna ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 770

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

This book is about a family that moves into a new house there is a 12 year old girl named Molly, her brother Michael who is 10 and their stepsister Heather. They have a house and behind their house is a few trees. Their parents always say don't go behind the trees. One day Heather goes behind the trees and finds a graveyard. She looks at one grave and it says Helen. Helen is sitting next to her and they become best friends. 

One day Helen gets jealous and starts tormenting Molly and Michael. Heather gets mad their fighting back so she takes Helen to her old house by the river. Molly hears Heather scream. Does Molly make it to Heather in time or will Heather actually be best friends with Helen FOREVER?

Reviewed by Megan ~ 7th grade

Lexile 750

Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins

The book starts out with a demon tired of being in hell so he takes a "vacation." He posses a teenager named Shawn who has a kinda normal life. Where he fixes his life and feels the experience of actually living I would recommend this book to people who like the supernatural.

Reviewed by an 8th Grader

Lexile 700

Fire Star by Chris D'Lacey (The Last Dragon Chronicles, book 3)

This book is about a college student named David who lives with a woman named Liz and her daughter, Lucy. Liz makes clay dragons that can come to life (but are very small). David is on a research trip in the Arctic and is writing a fictional story about bears. But it's not fictional for long because whatever David writes can become reality. Meanwhile, a bright star is almost at it's peak in the sky. When it reaches a certain point, a portal will form and legend says that real dragons (not Liz's clay dragons) will become alive again. But an evil enemy is trying to ruin everything. Will David be able to stop her? 

I enjoyed this book, it was very exciting. I recommend this book to you if you like fantasy stories and adventure stories. Also, this book is the third in a series, so I recommend reading the other two books first.

Reviewed by Megan ~ 6th Grade

Lexile 740

Backlash by Sarah Darer Littman

A girl name Lara was bullied in middle school for being a little big and was called many names. So she stared to see someone to help her lose weight. She had a best friend name Bree who then dumped her in High School because all Lara could talk about is how much she hated her life. Bree was getting annoyed and left her. Lara has a sister in 8th grade named Sydney. Sydney was also annoyed that Lara got all the attention and hated her parents made her go through what Lara had to go through. Bree had a brother the same age named Liam. 

Okay So Bree's mom loved cheerleading and makes Bree do it and there were try outs and Lara was trying out. After try outs they check to see if they made it, Sure enough Lara made it and Bree didn't and she was furious, and Lara looked at her and Bree thought she laughed at her. So Bree wanted to get back at her. Okay I want to say more But I think it might ruin the book. But this book is amazing.

Reviewed by Kimberly ~ 8th Grade

Lexile 770

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Imagine growing up completely ordinary only to go to a club and witness a murder. This is what happened to Clary Fray. She thought she was ordinary only to be told she has something called "the sight" and it's a part of the shadow world. The shadow world is a race of half humans and half angels called Shadowhunters. Clary happens to see three of these Shadowhunters murder someone. Later on in this book she meets exciting creatures called Downworlders and falls in love with a Shadowhunter. There are many intriguing characters in this book. This is the first of six books in the series, The Mortal Instruments. This book is a roller coaster. One minute you're laughing and the next you're on the edge of your seat in an action packed battle. This book has romance, action, comedy, and a little bit of mystery. This book will surely leave you hanging on until the very end and I definitely recommend it.

Reviewed by Morgan ~ 6th

Lexile 710

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

This girl named Liz freaks out because at first she ends up on a boat going somewhere she doesn't know. She also sees a girl as a roommate sleeping on the top bunk. Liz finally finds out and realizes that she is dead. That's why her family wasn't with her. During the story Liz gets into the routine of not having to worry about the people (Like her friends and family) on Earth. She makes several attempts trying to communicate with people back on Earth but then finally learns her lesson that she's forbidden to. 

In Elsewhere, once you die, you live backwards. As Liz is living backwards, she ends up having to face the person who killed her in an accident. She was riding her bike to the mall, and she didn't look both ways when the light was green. Then a taxi came speeding by and killed her. The story starts becoming one of those books that you have to keep reading and you can't dare put it down. I really recommend this book to readers who like some action.

Reviewed by a 6th Grader

Lexile 720

Hachiko Waits by Leslea Newman

It's about a dog who got lost and he tried to find someone to help him which he had no luck and then this guy called master/professor took him and called him Hachiko in Chinese means the number 8 eight was professors lucky number that's why he called him that hachi did not know how to bark or throw a ball one day professor had to go to work and hachi sneaked out behind him and followed him to the train station and then hachi finally wanted to learn how to throw the ball and he did and professor left for his train and hachi stood there for hours waiting and 

[Spoiler Alert] 

professor had a heart attack and hachi STILL waited for hours then it became days then weeks lastly months i recommend this book to be in our school library.

Reviewed by Ashleigh ~ 7th Grade

Lexile 770