The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book is the tale of a boy orphaned at infancy by the murderer called Jack. He is adopted (and hidden from Jack) by the ghosts in a nearby graveyard. The ghosts and the boy's guardian, Silas (a possible vampire), dub him Nobody "Bod" Owens. Bod grows up in the graveyard, where life proves to be both exciting and dangerous. The Graveyard Book may be frightening to some (as the story includes kidnapping ghouls, murderers, and possible thievery), though I did not find it so.

-Rose S. M.

E.S. Rhodes

To discover more chilling tales by Neil Gaiman, visit his website at http://www.neilgaiman.com/!

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

Bandit's Moon by Sid Fleischman

Bandit’s Moon is a story about a boy who lives with a very mean woman named O.O. Mary. People call her O.O. because her eyes are always wide, frantic, mean and wild. The boy had always dreamed of running away, because O.O. was very brutal. Sometimes she didn’t even feed him. One day while O.O. Mary was away, the boy ran away to a faraway desert and met some Mexican outlaws riding on horses. The lead outlaw, Wakeen, was polite and welcoming. He was happy to welcome the boy to the clan of outlaws. Then the outlaws get him his own horse. You have to read the exciting adventure story to believe it! I really liked this book because it was interesting how Mexican outlaws could be so friendly to a strange ‘Yankee’ or American boy. Also I liked it because it is a mystery and suspenseful. You never know what’s going to happen next. There is also a lot of action. This story is very unpredictable. It really keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I think you should read this story because it’s a story full of adventure, emotion and suspense. The story is good to read because it shows how two different ethnicities or cultures can come together and get along really well . It’s a great read! You should REALLY try it! -- J.P., Stadium School

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

One of the characters in this story, Molly, has a fear of her stepsister, Heather, and so does Molly’s brother Mike. Heather hates everyone -- Molly, Mike, and her new stepmother -- everyone except her father. As soon as they move to a new house with a cemetery in the back, Heather starts making up a girl named Helen. But is Helen really made up? Heather, Mike and Molly find out later that a little girl named Helen was buried in the cemetery. As the mystery gets harder to crack, they find out something horrible about Helen and their own stepsister. You have to read it to find out more!

To be honest, this is one of my favorite books in the world. I love how the author just keeps you interested until you hit the last word in the book. One of the characters in the book, Molly, was trying to figure out what was going on which in a way is like me because I love mysteries and trying to solve them. Now that I read and loved this book, hopefully you will feel the same way, too. If you love mysteries, ghosts or haunted places then you have to read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone in grades 5-8 between the ages of 10-14. – G.O., Stadium School.

The Land of the Dead By Mary Pope Osborne

The Odyssey is the story of Odysseus, a Greek king, who fought in the Trojan War. His journey back was a horrible experience with giants, cyclops, witches, and the land of the dead.

Odysseus and his men travel to an island inhabited by an evil witch who turns travelers into animals. When half of his men go out searching for food they find a palace. The men enter the palace of the witch and only one of them returns to the campground. He told the rest of the men the story of how his friends were turned into pigs by the witch. With the help of Hermes, Odysseus went to get his men back from the witch. The witch made a promise to him that she will do no harm because her magic had no effect on him. She turned his men back into men. Odysseus, his men, and the witch come up with a plan to return to their homeland. The plan is very risky. They have to go to the land of dead and speak to a wise old man that died but still has his wisdom. At the land of the dead the old man says that he can not help Odysseus return home, but he can warn him. He says that on his way home, they will pass an island owned by the sun god. The sun god has sheep. He warns, "Don't touch the sheep. If you touch the sheep the god will get very angry, and destroy your ship so you won't be able to go anywhere. Warn your men not to touch the sheep."

Zachary H,

E.S. Rhodes

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