Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Pictures of Hollis Woods is about a girl named Hollis who has been having a really tough time. She has been in foster care for most of her life. Also she has lived with so many families and she is only a teenager. One day Hollis gets placed with a woman named Josie. Hollis likes Josie a lot. Will Hollis make up her mind and stay with Josie, or will she leave Josie like all the other families? 

Pictures of Hollis Woods is an amazing story. It kept my attention through the entire book. This book lets you know what some kids are going through in foster care. It made me want to help kids like Hollis. 

I would definitely recommend this book. I think that people that prefer realistic fiction would enjoy this book as well as people that prefer other genres. Overall, Pictures of Hollis Woods is a great book because it shows people what foster children go through and makes the reader become much more compassionate about foster children.  C.L., Garden City School

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

       When you read The Old Willis Place, a chill will run down your back. Mary Downing Hahn, the author, writes about a brother Georgie and a sister Dianna who are stranded on a farm with no adult supervision. How did they get there? Find out what has happened to Georgie and Dianna by reading the book.

Mary Downing Hahn does an excellent job describing the characters. I had them pictured in my head. When she was describing the setting you had to use your five senses. I felt like I was really there.

If you like scary stories or mysteries, then you will love The Old Wills Place. It is a shocking and suspenseful fiction story that most readers would enjoy reading. You will never want to put the book down.  E. A., Garden City School

No Talking By: Andrew Clements

Dave Packer and Lynsey Burgess  are enemies. They've never liked each other. Dave and Lynsey are in the same class. One day while Dave is reading about Ghandi, who often remained silent for a whole day, he thought of something. The next day, Dave and Lynsey get in a fight as usual. But this fight is about talking. Dave thinks that girls talk more than boys. Then, they make a bet. Dave bets that girls will talk more than boys in one day. So, it's boys against girls. They are only allowed to say three words in each sentence. No talking for two WHOLE days. Who will win?

I recommend this book for anyone who likes challenges and betting.

 

For the latest novels by Andrew Clements, visit his website.  

Genna C.

Grade 6

E.S. Rhodes

Chicken Boy By: Frances O'Roark Dowell

Chicken Boy is a book about a boy named Tobin McCauley. Tobin has two brothers, Patrick and Shane, and they're both delinquents. Tobin also has a grandmother who's kind of like a mom to him, because his mom died of cancer. Tobin has a dad whom he rarely sees. Tobin's grandmother and dad hate each other because Tobin's grandmother says that he didn't do enough to keep her daughter alive. Tobin had no friends until he met Henry and his brother who raised chickens. Henry said the chickens were like people because they have feelings. Now, Tobin finds a new passion for chickens.

Tobin's grandmother called social service. Now the question is, who is Tobin going to stay with? His grandmother or his dad?

Stephanie G.

Grade: 6

E.S Rhodes