The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima is an amazing book, yet it is not as popular as some other books, even though it is on the same level as them. It is about a boy named Jack who other than having to take a special medicine in the morning is an ordinary teenager. Then one day he forgets his medicine. He then feels much stronger and more powerful. This is his first glimpse into the world of the Weir. He soon learns that he is a warrior, one of the magical people living among the anaweir (non magical people). He soon learns that there are other magical races. They are the wizards, enchanters, seers, sorcerers and other warriors. He then learns that he is one of the last warriors on earth. He realizes this at a time when both "houses" are looking for a player in "The Game." The houses are the Red Rose and the White Rose. The houses as you may be wondering are two groups of wizards who are constantly fighting. Since the wizards believe that all other Weir are inferior, they throw warriors into "The Game." In this game, warriors from the two houses fight to the death for their house to have control of all the Weir. Now Jack fears he may be one of the next warriors to fight. What will he do? This book is a riveting story about sacrifice, and the difference between life and death.

To go further into the world of the Weir, visit the author's website.

Ayo G.

Edward S. Rhodes

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

The Call of the Wild is a phenomenal book by Jack London. I believe that it is one of my top ten books-to-read . Once I started to read I couldn't stop. In this book you will truly understand the call of the wild.

Buck, a St. Bernard cross Scotch shepherd dog, was the ruler at the sun-kissed Judge Miller's place. He was living a happy life until one of the gardeners kidnapped Buck for money. People all over the world wanted gold which was found up north and they needed dogs to travel. They needed dogs who have strong muscles and long, warm coats. At first Buck did not understand what was happening. He growled at strangers. One day he was let out of his cage only to find himself face to face with a man with a club. Little did Buck know that he was in for a beating, to keep him under control. After the beating, Buck's body was broken, but his soul was not. Buck was sold to strange men for their use on a dog sled team. They wanted strong dogs with long fur to pull a sled all the way up to Alaska for the gold rush. Buck soon learns the life and law of the wild. There will be a surprising ending that awaits you!

There is also another book called White Fang by Jack London. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed The Call of the Wild.

Jingmei Z.

E. S. Rhodes

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay is the final book in the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It is, in my opinion, the best book out of the three. Katniss is back "home" from the capitol. However, home is not District 12, where she has lived all along. 12 was bombed in hopes to punish Katniss for the stunt she pulled at the Quarter Quell. She is now living in District 13. Her new home is anything but the ordinary. For starters, they live underground. She would probably be happier if she had Peeta, but he is being held hostage in the Capitol. When a group is formed to go and rescue Peeta, Katniss is not allowed to go. When he comes back, he is very confused. He does not associate love with Katniss, but he associates fear. After a very long time, Katniss and Peeta start to get along with each other. Everyone is very upset by all this that they form a group and go to the Capitol themselves. Many lives are lost along the way, including some very important and loved people. Even though their relationship will never be the same as it use to be, they are back together and very happy.

There is a very surprising twist waiting for you at the end. This book is one of my all time favorites. Before you read this book, make sure you read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.

Eve F.

E. S. Rhodes

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur

The book, Love, Aubrey, is an extraordinary book about a girl who goes through struggles and abandonment after the death of her sister and father, and as if Aubrey wasn’t upset enough she gets abandoned by her depressed mother; no goodbye and no reason why. After being alone one week, Aubrey receives an unexpected visit from Gram, Aubrey’s grandmother, and the mother of Aubrey’s mother. While visiting she finds out that Aubrey’s mother has left her. Enraged but worried Gram sends out a search party in search of Aubrey’s mother. She also gets in touch with the police and any friends her mother might be staying with. Gram also decides that Aubrey will come and live with her. She states that is the best thing to do, that it is not safe for an eleven-year-old girl to be alone. So Aubrey does so but while staying at Gram’s house it reminds Aubrey of the happier times. When her sister and father were alive and when her mother wasn’t so depressed. When the cousins were running around and when the aunts and uncles were all talking and catching up. It was then when Aubrey was happier. But even though Aubrey did not have her mother and father or little sister, she did have her grandmother. Her grandmother that set up the search party in search of her mother, she also pretty much took Aubrey in until her mother was to be found. This just shows that family is important and big part of your life. So read love Aubrey you will truly love it.

Olivia W.

Woodridge Elementary School

The Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars

This book talks about a boy that goes to a farm for the whole summer. The name of the main character is Tom. Tom sacrifices his summer so his mom can go on a bike ride through New York. The average ten year old wouldn’t spend their summer on a farm but he was generous enough to sacrifice. During his time on the farm he encountered a black fox, then after that, his days on the farm were never the same. Every day he would go to see the fox but one night he saw something that was very rare, it was a baby fox. Because foxes are so smart humans hardly ever get to see any cubs, because the black fox had a cub she had to kill twice as much, but killing bigger prey just got her into trouble. The black fox killed a chicken that was owned by Tom’s aunt so his uncle set out to find the fox and kill her. You have to read the book to find out what happen to the black fox and her cub.

Ricardo F.

Woodridge Elementary School

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

There was a kid named Dwight. He made a little origami Yoda. Kids in the school think that Origami Yoda can tell the future. Then Tommy wants to know if Origami Yoda is real; real as in he can tell the future. Tommy wants to find out if a girl likes him, but he needs to know if he is real so that it is not the wrong answers, because then he will be thinking the wrong thing. So Tommy made a case file to decide if Origami Yoda is real or not. He collected story after story his friend Harvey who does not believe in Yoda lives a comment too, which gives you two pontes of view. Read the book to fig out if Yoda is real and if the girl likes Tommy or not.

James M.

Woodridge Elementary School

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Moon Over Manifest is a book about a girl named Abilene. Her father has left her in the care of the citizens of the town of Manifest because he is working another job. To express how she feels, you can say she feels, abandoned. That is until she and her two new friends Lettie and Ruthanne uncover some secret letters and notes from the town's past. With the help of Miss Sadie (a hungarian fortune-teller who only talks about the past) they find a story that leads to the town's deep past. About a boy named Jinx and a boy named Ned. The story about Shady (Abilene's "landlord") and the hungarian woman. A story about the town and its citizens A story about World War I and the Late Mr. Larkin. Most of all , a story about the friendship of Jinx and Ned. With these stories, Abilene will find out more about her father than she ever knew, whether she likes it or not. In this Newbery honor book, one girl can save a town, in the future, and in the past. As the sign says, Manifest, a town with a rich past and a bright future.

To learn more about Clare Vanderpool and the town of Manifest check out her website

Ayo G.

E.S. Rhodes

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire, in my opinion is a fantastic book. It is the sequel to the Hunger Games, but make sure you read the first one first. Catching Fire starts off with Katniss and Peeta waiting for their victory tour to begin. Then however, Katniss is told that after her performance in the games, she must prove that she and Peeta are madly in love. If this fails, the entire nation could be thrown into rebellion. The victory tour is a whirlwind of emotions for the two of them and before they know it, the Quarter Quell, is upon them. However, soon there is a twist that could change their lives for the better or for the worse. This is one of the best books I have ever read. It provides action, suspense, romance and a huge twist at the end. If I had to rank this book out of every book I have ever read, this one would be in the top five. Suzanne Collins has done a fantastic job on this book and an even better job on the series as a whole. If you liked the Hunger Games you will love this book and the next one in the series, Mockingjay.

Out of the websites concerning the Hunger Games Trilogy, I feel this one is the best.

Nat H.

E.S. Rhodes