Crispin

This is a dark tale about things that have happened in the past such as the Black Plague. There is a journey and adventure and I was intrigued and engaged throughout the story. I hope I will never have to run for my own life like he does in the story. It was a good read.

Student's will be able to read what it is like to have nothing - most student's will understand what that is like for the first time and some will be able to relate to the character. This is not a bright and shiny book but kids need to read this side of life too. It is a bit sugar coated but it is an introduction to the dark side.

Avi. (2003). Crispin. New York, New York.

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod

I thoroughly enjoyed this story because it's a story of a teenager boy learning to be a vampire. He must learn to control his desire for blood. Vampires are "in" right now and this story can be compared to Twilight but aimed at teenage boys. I enjoyed the mystery and how Tod uncovers many secrets that surround his family. This story also touches on stalking and who the main character truly is. We all try to find how each person that we meet actually is on the inside. It was a nice quick read.

Teenage boys need more books like this one. Twilight is aimed at girls and has hit the big screen. This story should become a film as well to draw more boys into the world of reading.

Brewer, Heather. (2008). Eighth grade bites. Speak.

The Hunger Games

This is an adventure story with a little romance. Who doesn't love a little romance? This story reminds me a little of the Gladiator times and a fight between the social classes is a big theme in the story. The story is intense and the reader is anxious to find out what happens next.

Boys and girls would both dive into this story. The boys will like the violence and actions and the girls will enjoy the romance in the story. The book looks like an adult book - reminiscent of John Grisham but it is made for teens.

Collins, Suzanne. (2008). The Hunger games. Scholastic.

The Magician's Elephant

I did not care for this book. The story was slow and choppy and did not hold my interest. A boy is an apprentice and comes across a piece of information from a fortune teller and what happens throughout the rest of the story changes his life. I honestly couldn't make myself finish the book.

I don't think kids will engage in this book either. My niece, an avid book reader, could not finish it either. I do not recommend it. Maybe boys would be interested in it because the main character is a boy.

DiCamillo, Kate. (2009). The Magician's elephant. Candlewick Pr.

The Tale of Despereaux

This is a classic story. It is a magical tale that dives into the point of view of different characters - the readers gets to swim around in their heads. This story teaches how to be true to yourself and how to love and care for someone that is different than you. There is danger, kidnapping, poverty, villains and heroes. I love any story that teaches others how to accept people for who they are.

Kids would like it because it's fun, exciting, and magical. It has also been made into a movie - I find that kids like to read books when they can also watch a movie to put their pictures in their head onto the big screen.

DiCamillo, Kate, & Ering, Timothy. (2006). The Tale of despereaux. Candlewick Pr.

Frog and Toad Together

This is another classic story that will be around for many more years. It is a great story that shows how friends can help each other. One friend is always anxious and the other always tries to calm him down. I can relate very well to this story. This is a very quick read and everyone should read the Frog and Toad series. I also enjoyed the pictures on almost every page.

Kids will like the story of friendship of these two amphibians. They will love the simple pictures and the simple things the friends do together. A lot can be learned by reading about these two friends.


Lobel, Arnold, & Lobel, Arnold. (1972). Frog and toad together ;. HarperTrophy.

Because of Winn Dixie

This was such a sweet story. Opal is new to town and discovers things about people in her town through her new-found dog. Opal also finds new information about her mother that abandoned her. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Kids would love this book mainly because if the great dog and great people Opal meets. Opal and her dog bring the whole town back together. Kids will be able to identify with the characters. This book has also been made into a movie.

DiCamillo, Kate. (2009). Because of Winn-dixie. Candlewick Pr.