Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

In a town on Mount Eskel lives Miri, a small town girl with a big dream. Her biggest dream is to work in the quarry. She is small compared to all of the other girls. Her family has lived on Mount Eskel forever. She thinks she can not work in the quarry because she is small, but is that the real reason? She lives her life one day at a time, until something exciting happens. The prince is getting married and is holding a ball. The king orders an academy to be made to make all of the girls in the area like princesses. All girls from ages twelve to eighteen will be attending. Miri has to go to the academy, but her sister can not because she is older than the prince. At the academy Miri makes new friends. One of whom is Britta. At the academy Miri realizes that she can be a bigger person, despite her small size. The Mistress of the academy (Mistress Olana) is very strict. At the academy every girl wants to be academy princess. Miri not only wants to be noticed by the prince as academy princess, she wants her family to get the house that will be given to the princess's family. Will she be academy princess? You'll have to read the book to find out.

Have a look at other books by Shannon Hale.

By Taylor R. and Hannah F.
Grade 6
E.S. Rhodes Elementary

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

The fifth book in the Percy Jackson series is the best! In this book the gods are in trouble. Percy Jackson has just turned sixteen and, according to the great prophesy, he will have to make a decision of great importance that will save or destroy the gods. He and his fellow campers, along with hunters from the third book, must defend New York from Kronos' armies. Percy has to deal with monsters, dying friends, angry Titans, gods, a spy, and temptation. There are many twists and turns and the hero of the prophecy is not the person you expect. This book answers questions that have arisen in the series. I would recommend this book to anyone that at least liked one of them. Read this one last, read it slowly and with care.


I hope Rick Riordan writes another book or series that fulfills the new prophecy that's made in the end. I would not mind some new characters.
Ben L.
Grade 6
E. S. Rhodes

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis

Bud is an 11-year-old boy in Flint, Michigan. His Momma died 5 years ago and he lives in an orphanage that he calls “The Home.” He gets sent to the Amoses’ house as a foster home. They are made up of an abusive son, a mom, a dad and now Bud. The son bullies him and beats him up until he has had enough and breaks out to go “on the lam.” He tries to reach the train to go west, but the police stopped that. Then he travels all the way to Grand Rapids, Michigan to try and find “his place.” He meets Herman E. Calloway and his band there. Will this be his place to stay? Read the book to find out.

I loved this book so much I read it twice. I liked it because it was interesting and had a lot of challenges in it. My favorite part was when Bud found Herman E. Calloway. If I were Bud, I would not like going to the Amoses’ due to the bad situations.

I think students in 6th or 7th grade would like this book and students that are 10-13 years old. A person that likes history and drama stories would like this book. Enjoy! -- D.C., Stadium

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

The second book of the Twilight Saga begins with what was to be a happy occasion, the celebration of Bella’s eighteenth birthday. The event turns decidedly frightening when Bella gets a simple paper cut and everyone there realizes that the slightest sign of blood in the presence of vampires could mean the end of Bella’s life as she knows it. Edward, handsome vampire that he is, decides that he and his family must leave Forks forever in order to save Bella.

Bella descends into a major slump with the departure of her dear Edward. She soon finds that being with a friend, Jacob Black from the Quileute reservation, gives her some moments of relief from her pain. Bella is heartbroken and finds that extreme motorcycle rides and cliff diving bring the consolation of Edward’s voice. Soon after, Jacob can’t see Bella because of another reason. She finds out that Jacob is a werewolf! The triangle becomes even more complicated!

Bella, an ordinary human, seems to fall for extraordinary creatures like Vampire Edward and Werewolf Jacob. Part of the suspense is waiting for whom Bella will choose. Bella has a lot of deciding to do.

Maddy M., Sarah B., E.S. Rhodes

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight is the first book from the Twilight Saga. It is a romantic vampire love story with tons of action. It takes place in a town called Forks in Washington. It’s about a seventeen-year-old girl named Bella who comes to Forks to live with her father. One day at school during lunch, she sees a group of unbelievably special teenagers. They are the Cullen’s. One she specifically notices is a boy the same age who is in her biology class named Edward Cullen. Not much later, Bella is introduced into Edward and his family’s supernatural world. During a game of family baseball, a group of nomad vampires show up and start to track Bella and put her in grave danger. You have to read the rest of the story to find out more. My favorite character is Alice Cullen. I like her bubbly and optimistic personality. She has an amazing super power to see the future, too. 

I absolutely adored this book because the suspense on every page made me went to read on. My favorite part of the book is when Bella goes to Edward’s house. The way the house is described, made me feel like I was really there. I can relate to Rosalie the most because she wants to protect her family just like I do.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic, suspenseful, action-packed books. This book is good for ages 11 and up. If you read the book and like it, you can watch the movie. It came out on DVD March 21, 2009. --  G.L., Stadium

The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith

Be prepared to laugh when you read The War with Grandpa. When Peter's grandma dies, Peter's grandpa is very lonely so he comes to live with Peter and his family. At first, Peter can't wait for his grandfather to move in, until he finds out that Grandpa will be staying in his room. Peter is forced upstairs into the spare bedroom, and he does not like it one bit. Peter decides to declare war with his grandpa. He told his grandfather if he won the war then he would get his room back. Throughout the entire book they play cruel and unfair tricks on one another. Peter steals Grandpa's false teeth, and Grandpa even takes Peter's toothbrush forcing him to be late for school.

I personally loved this book! I could relate to Peter's feelings when his grandfather took his room. My uncle is in the midst of moving so right now he is living with us. My sister and I now have to share a room with one another. No, I didn't declare war but I can relate to how Peter felt. I don't think I could pick a favorite part because the whole book was just too good! I caught myself laughing out loud many times when I was reading. I felt as if I knew all the characters because the author included tons of description.

I would recommend this book to 4th, 5th and 6th graders. As soon as you start reading you won't want to put it down . The War with Grandpa has all the characteristics of a good book such as humor and a descriptive author. I had never read a book by Robert Kimmel Smith before but I can't wait to read more by him! So, who will win the war? Peter ... or Grandpa? Start reading to find out! -- A.C., Garden City

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

Who doesn’t like a little sibling rivalry? Jessie and Evan Treski experience some during the last six days of summer vacation. Jessie is very smart and skipped the third grade and is going to be in the same fourth grade class as Evan. Evan doesn’t want her to be in his class. They won’t talk to each other because of this. So they start a lemonade war. They make a bet on who can earn one hundred dollars or more by selling lemonade by the end of summer. Jessie teams up with Evan’s crush – Meagan Moriarity. They aren’t just stirring up lemonade mix; they are stirring up some trouble too. Do you want to find out who wins? Pick up the book and read this fantastic story and you might end up in the war too!

I could not put this book down! I got it from school and read it in one day. It is not very lengthy, but a decent sized book. I was so into it, that when my mom called me for dinner I was startled. My favorite part was when Jessie sabotages Evan’s lemonade. The plan was downright dirty – literally! When Evan tried to get back at her, he went a little too far and it had a big effect. This book was just amazing!

This book is great for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. The reader would get tips in running a business as well as an intriguing story. Be careful though, because you might break your ribs laughing so hard! -- E.D., Garden City