Skeleton Creek By: Patrick Carman

Welcome to Skeleton Creek. The book, Skeleton Creek, is about two teenagers trying to unlock the secrets of Skeleton Creek. Their names are Sarah Fincher and Ryan McCray. Sarah is adventurous and not afraid of anything. On the other hand, Ryan is easily scared. Ryan loves writing in his journal. (Ryan writes all of their adventures in it.) Sarah loves video recording and records everything she finds. Sarah sends the video to Ryan so that you can watch it on your computer. They go to the dredge where most of the action takes place. Whenever they go there, they risk their lives and then they're forbidden to see each other but they do anyway. You'll have to read the book to get the other juicy information. "Read the book, watch the video and uncover the mystery." I'll give you a clue: New York Gold and Silver. You're going to hear that word all the time so start thinking about what it means.

P.S. There is a Skeleton Creek 2 called Ghost In The Machine but I wish Patrick Carmen would do a third one.

Visit the web site if you dare.

Stephanie G.
Grade 6
ES Rhodes

Ghost in the Machine By: Patrick Carman

Ghost in the Machine is a sequel to Skeleton Creek. Ryan McCray is a 16 year old boy with a broken leg. His best friend, Sarah Fincher, is a 16 year old girl, who is fearless, and has a thirst for adventure. An internet search revealed that Old Joe Bush had stolen gold from the dredge when he worked there. The dredge is a machine that digs up land and finds gold. While Ryan and Sarah try to uncover the mystery, the ghost of Old Joe Bush is trying to keep them away. Sarah makes videos about their adventure and discovery. Will they unlock the secret of the dredge in time? I strongly recommend this book to people who like mystery, and a little scare.


Genna C.
E.S Rhodes
Grade 6

Million Dollar Throw By: Mike Lupica

Nate Brodie is your typical thirteen year old; except when it comes to football. Nate is a star quarterback. He is a big fan of Tom Brady, the Patriots quarterback. Since Nate is a great quarterback, his friends all call him "Brady." Nate's best friend's name is Abby. Nate's life hasn't been going great so far. His dad just lost his job, and Abby is going blind. Things aren't looking so great. Then, Nate decides to go to the mall with his mother and Abby. He's been saving up to buy a signed Brady ball. When he gets to the cashier, the person asks Nate if he would like to buy a ticket to throw a ball through a hole at a Patriots game on live TV for one million dollars. What do you think Nate said? He said yes of course! Nate doesn't think that his ticket will win. So, he goes on with his life. Then, when it comes time for the winning number to be announced, who wins but Nate! He is flabergasted. If he won the million dollars, it could do a lot. He could help his parents with financial hardships, and give Abby the money for eye surgery. Nate feels a lot of pressure. It even makes him mess up in football. Finally, the big night comes. Will Nate make the throw or not?

For other books by this author visit the website.

By Hannah F.
E.S. Rhodes
Grade 6

Little Women By: Louisa May Alcott

Little Women is a story about four sisters. Their names are Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March. Meg (the oldest) acts very motherly and ladylike. Jo (who's real name is Josephine) is very boyish and fun. Beth (who's real name is Elizabeth) is quiet, friendly, and loving. Amy (the youngest) loves to draw and is not afraid to "state the facts." In the first part of the story, the girls' father is at war. Their mother raises them. At a party, the girls meet Theodore Laurence, otherwise known as Laurie. He becomes a great family friend. The second part of the story, is about all of the girls growing up. It also shows them getting married. This book is a great novel for young people to read. If you think that you are like one of the characters, you should definetly read this book.


Find out more about Louisa May Alcott, an independent woman author.

By: Hannah F.
E.S. Rhodes
Grade Six

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Mia Thermopolis is a fourteen year old freshman attending classes at Albert Eienstein High School in Manhattan, where she resides with her mother, and her beloved cat, Fat Louie. Let's just say, Mia does not have the best of luck. Mia is five foot nine, flat chested, and she is as clumsy as it gets. And rather than being one of the most popular girls in school, she's one of the least. Mia is also flunking algebra when her mother, Helen, an aspiring artist, comes home from a parent, teacher conference and reveals to Mia that she is dating her teacher Mr. Gianini. Mia's life is about to change, 100%, and it's just a phone call away.

One day, the phone rings. Mia is surprised when she hears her father Philipe's voice; he never calls her, or her mother. You see, Mia's mother and father separated before she was born due, to...complications. Mia is surprised when her father announces that due to his recent string of testicular cancer...he is no longer able to have children. Mia doesn't seem to understand why this is such a big deal. He already has her, right? However, Mia could tell in her mother's eyes, and her father's voice that this was a VERY big problem. Mia's father informed her to meet him at a very fancy hotel, called the Plaza the next day.

At the Plaza, over tea, Mia's father declares something, big...very, very big. Mia Thermopolis is a PRINCESS! Because Philipe can no longer have children, Mia is the heir to the throne of a small country called Genovia, She could not believe this. Mia...a princess...NO WAY!! To top this all off, Mia is informed by her parents that her Grandmere Clarisse is in town, and Mia must attend Princess Lessons. Mia hates her grandmother, and she has a feeling her grandmother, hates her as well. This is going to be a disaster. Mia cannot become a princess. Just thinking about a whole country relying on her made Mia's head spin in twenty different directions.

Can Mia successfully complete horrid princess lessons with her grandmother Clarisse? Is she going to be able to take on the pressure of leading a whole country? Does Mia have what is takes to become Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia.

Sound interesting? Check out other books by Meg Cabot.
Sydney F.
Grade 6
E.S. Rhodes Elem

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