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

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

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Bridge to Terabithia was mainly about two kids who form their own imaginary society, called Terabithia, in the woods. The two kids Jess and Leslie are the two rulers. Lets take a step back to the beginning when Leslie first came to school. It was the first day of fifth grade, everyone excited, ready to go out to recess to race. It was time to see who was the fastest kid in the fifth grade, until Leslie came to school. Jessie saw her as a threat because she could be faster than him but at the same time he had a secret crush on her. When they first raced I knew that they would be best friends. Boy, was that true. They started to do everything together. That was when they created Terabithia, with a rope swing to get across. Terabithia was based on the people in their lives. They were kings, nothing could bring them down. Then something tragic happened that almost made me cry, I was brave. When you figure out what happens you will definitely burst out in tears. If you want to know what happens then you have to read the book. This was by far the best book I have ever read. It is an action packed thriller with suspense on every page. Hopefully you decide to read this book. I know you will love it.

Jarren Prata

Woodridge School

Wings by E.D. Baker

Wings is about a girl named Tamisin. She has always been a little different than the others. Her freckles look more like sparkles and the full moon makes her want to dance. The day when real fairy wings sprout from her back is when her real adventure begins. Goblins start chasing her, and then Tamisin finds out that she can control the weather! When she masters her powers they really help her on her journey to meet the fairy queen. Tamisin isn’t alone on her adventure. A new “boy” from school joins her on her journey and Tamisin finds out she isn’t the only abnormal one in the world, it turns out this boy is a goblin! Eventually, her adventure pays off. Read the book to find out what happens!

This book was very exciting! It was a page-turner and it made my heart pound because I was so nervous! By the title you would think that it was a book for girls but I think that it could go either way. There are goblins so I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventures and magical creatures. If I were to rate this book I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars.

Taylor C.

Woodridge School

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

I think that this book was kind of confusing, but I liked it. Miranda is living in her New York apartment with her mom. She is in the sixth grade, (like us). Her mom's boyfriend, "Mr. Perfect," is helping out too. But when Miranda's mom makes it on the 10,000 Dollar Pyramid, she starts getting these strange letters that are telling her to write back, but the problem is that she doesn't know what they mean and where to write back. With out her best friend, Sal, things are getting harder. Along the way Miranda makes new friends, like the "Laughing Man" and talks to people she never thought about talking to, like the "Gangsters" in the garage. Also, does she find out who the mysterious person is? Does her mom win the 10,000 Dollar Pyramid? Does "Mr. Perfect" get a key to the apartment and do Sal and Miranda become best friends again? What happens to the"Laughing Man?"

This book is part mystery, part science fiction. That is why so many things get so confusing. I also think that is why I liked it so much. The confusion was pulling me back into the book. I kept going back to find out or clear up the confusion.

The end of the book was the most confusing of all. It had a lot of references to A Wrinkle In Time, (which I have not read, yet). This book ended with a lot of questions for me. The questions were not literally in the book but in my mind. This is one of my favorite books, despite the fact it left me hanging. I hope that if you read this book it didn't leave you hanging. All in all, this was an amazing book.

Also, her website is very cool!

Anna W.

Grade 6

E. S. Rhodes School

The Clique by Lisi Harrison

The Clique is about these 5 girls, Massie, Alicia, Dylan and Kristen . They are a part of a clique in their school where they are the most popular and everyone envies them. They are also extremely wealthy. Massie's father has a friend and his family stay in their guest house. Claire Lyons, the daughter of the visiting family, is a quiet, middle class girl, new to the wealthy community and new to the exclusive private school, OCD (Octavian Country Day). Massie and her clique, "The Pretty Committee," make fun of Claire because of her clothes and looks. Will she ever fit in?

Claire tears "The Pretty Committee" apart just so she can have friends, but her plan backfires and they dislike her even more than before. So Claire befriends a girl named Layne, an outgoing funny, not-afraid-to-be herself kind of girl and Claire likes her. The Pretty Committee makes fun of them but Claire shakes them off. Nothing will destroy her confidence and her friendship with Layne!

I think that is exactly what is happening to kids today. They are being bullied because they are different or they don't "fit in." There is nowhere else to turn for them and that's why I am so proud of Claire! I cannot put these books down! They are amazing and inspirational. True friends don't do what the clique had done to Claire and that's why everyone should try their best to find a great friend!

Amelia L.

E.S. Rhodes Elementary School

The Only Thing Harder Than Fitting In Is Getting In "The Pretty Committee!"

To see other books in the series please visit: http://www.lisiharrison.com/home.html

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

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Mibs is turning 13 and that's when she gets her "savvy" - special skill. All of her family has a savvy: one of Mib's brothers controls hurricanes, the other causes electricity, her grandfather moves mountains, and her mother's savvy is that she is perfect. Mib's father got into a coma the day before her birthday. Mibs loved her father so much that she went on a bus to find and help him. What will happen on this mysterious adventure? Will Mibs savvy save her father? Read the book to find out.

Melissa C.

Woodridge School

Luv Ya Bunches by Lauren Myracle

Luv Ya Bunches is a story of friendship, popularity, and where you fit in. All the girls are starting 5^th grade today, and they are all worried. The girls used to all be best friends until the popular girl at school named Medusa took away Milla and tore them all apart. As they walk into 5^th grade and throughout the week they realize that true friendship means your friends like you for who you are, maybe you're not popular, maybe you're not that smart, or maybe you're geeky, but they treat you for the person you truly are. Do you think they become friends? Or do they stay in separate cliques?

Sabrina F.

Woodridge School