Shadow

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Genre: Realistic Fiction

What it's about: Shadow is about Aman, a boy, and his mother after losing their dog, Shadow, while escaping Afghanistan to flee to England. Now they must depend on a friend and his grandfather to make Shadow return.

What do you think of it? I liked the book, but it was really confusing at the beginning. I like at the end where some happens that I don't want to type.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book? Anyone ages 8+.  It was good, but I think only people older than 8 should read it because it seemed a little serious at points that people younger might not understand.

Reviewed by LB

Splendors and Glooms

Author: Laura Amy Schiltz 

Genre: Adventure, Mystery

What it's about: After the mysterious puppetmaster Grisini performs at her birthday party, Clara disapears. Now Lizzie Rose and Parsefall, Grisini's apprentices must find her.

What do you think about it?  I really liked the book, especially how it changed nararrators. I just thought it was a little confusing.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book? 5th grade and up. Kids who like mystery and adventure.

Reviewed by EMR

Note: This book is not on the Bookworms list, but is highly recommended by our reviewer.

The Templeton Twins Have an Idea

Author: Ellis Weiner

Genre:  Humor, Realistic Fiction

What it's about: The Templeton Twins' father is an inventor with a brilliant invention. Although it may not be his idea after all. Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean are also a set of twins, however this time, the antagonists. Dean claims the invention is HIS idea and will stop at nothing to get it back. Hobbies will be involved (drums & cryptic crosswords) to stop the Deans. 

What do you think of it? I liked the book but didn't like how it never really started until the 3rd or 4th chapter. The Narrarator was lolligagging and complaining 24/7.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book? 3rd or 4th grade and up. It's very funny and interesting. If you like humor this book is for you.

Reviewed by AR

The Peculiar

Author: Stefan Bachmann (this is his first novel)

Genre:  Murder Mystery/Gothic Fantasy/steampunk adventure

What it's about: This AWESOME book takes place in England and is about two completely different characters, Bartholomew (a changeling - half human and half faery - who lives in a very dingy and poor neighborhood) and Mr. Jelliby (a member of Parliament who is very lazy). One day, Bartholomew sees a queer rich woman come and take away another changeling who lives on the same street as himself  by whisking him away in a whirling of black feathers. Eventually, the two main characters surprisingly, against all odds, meet up on a fast-paced journey to try to stop another Parliament member, Mr. Lickerish (who is the first faery to become a member of Parliament) from destroying all of England. Can they do it?

What do you think of it? I LOVED this book so much that it is now one of my new favorite books. Even though this book does not have nonstop action, Stefan Bachmann writes it so well that it sounds just so awesome, like, for instance:     

     "The bearded man (Dr. Harrow) gave a small bow. 'Oh, not at all,' he said, and his blue eyes gleamed with a strange light.  'Not...at...all.'With a flourish, he opened the door to the cell and held it for Mr. Jelliby to step through.
     Mr. Jelliby smiled weakly. He walked toward the door. But just as he was crossing the threshold, he spun. His fist flew up and struck the doctor square between the eyes. Then he bolted down the corridor.
     'Boy?' he cried, knocking aside the guard and hurtling up the stairs. 'Boy, get out of here!'
     Dr. Harrow's lips :they hadn't moved.""
    
     See what I mean? That was the main reason I so liked this book. There was nothing at all that I disliked about this book.
     
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book? Even though I think this book is so spectacular, it is a tiny bit gory (corpses, hollow bodies, and faeries growing out of the back of peoples' heads), so the book is appropriate for 5th grade and up along with mature 4th graders. For readers who like books about magic or mysterious creatures, this is a book for you.

Reviewed by HE

The Last Dragonslayer

Author: Jasper Fford 

Genre: Fantasy

What it's about: This girl works for a company called Kazam. It is the time of the last dragonslayer who is unknown.

What do you think about it? I thought the book was a treat. I loved the twist in the magic.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book?  People who are into  magic and adventure but like a twist that seems like reality.

Reviewed by AT

Tunnels

Author: Gordon Rodrick

Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Realistic Fiction

What it's about:  This book is about a boy and his father who love to find historic tunnels. In this first book in the series, they find a metro tunnel. What will happen? What will they find?

What do you think about it? I liked the book. I thought the author put in a lot of vocabulary words. I liked learning about the characters and reading the epilogue because it had a lot of information.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book?  I think students in grades 4-8 would like this book and mystery-solvers.

Reviewed by KM

Note: This title is not on the Bookworms list, but is an excellent book that our reviewer wants to recommend. 

Wonkenstein: The Creature from my Closet

Author: Obert Skye

Genre: Humor, Realistic Fiction

What it's about:  A boy who loves science has a closet full of chemistry kits, books, trash and more. One day he hears a strange noise coming from his closet. What is it? What will happen?

What do you think of it? I really loved the book. It is filled with humor. I liked it because you really get to know the characters. You really feel like you are part of their neighboorhood.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book?  I think 2nd grade to 5th grade, or jokesters.

Reviewed by KM

The Last Dragonslayer

Author: Jasper Fford

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

What it's about:  A foundling named Jennifer Strange works at KAZAM. She soon finds out that she is the last dragonslayer and needs to kill an innocent dragon. She will make enemies and friends along the way. She will also have to make quite a few hard decisions.

What do you think of it?  I didn't like it that much. It was confusing and didn't explain things well enough.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book? Students in grades 3-8.

Reviewed by CW

Return to the Willows

Author: Jacqueline Kelly

Genre: Animal fantasy

What it's about: This book is the sequel to Wind In the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. The copy our library has is in picture format but the pictures really help tell the story.

What did you think of it?  I thought Wind of the Willows was better, but I liked all the descriptions in this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Who would like this book? Third grade and up and animal lovers.

Reviewed by KM