Earlier this year, we asked youngsters of all ages to review a great book they’ve read by writing a letter to Tribune readers explaining why they think the book is so special, why it’s a must-read.
The Read & Write project has received hundreds of reviews and drawings about a variety of books, from classics like “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” to current favorites like “Molly Moon Stops the World.” We heard from young children, preteens and teens involved in library summer-reading programs, summer school and couch-based reading sessions at home.
Please come to the Books section again next week for more reviews.
Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution
By Ji-li Jiang
Review by Maureen Campion, 14, Wyoming, Ill.
St. Vincent de Paul School
“Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution” was a very interesting and thought-provoking book about China in 1966. The book is an autobiography of Ji-li Jiang’s life, a girl growing up in communist China under their leader, Mao Tse-tung. Ji-li’s family is embarrassed and humiliated by Mao Tse-tung’s Red Army, which is trying to rid China of the “Four Olds”: old ideas, culture, customs and habits. Even though all these cruel and degrading things happen to her family, she still believes in the greatness of her communist government. This book is an excellent example of how the rest of the world does not experience the freedoms that Americans take for granted. It is somewhat difficult to understand the book if you are unaware of the different governments and revolutions of China over the years. This is good for 14 and up or anyone who wants to learn more about China.
See You Later, Gladiator
By Jon Scieszka
Review by Alex Marcotte, 9
Evanston
Kingsley School
This book is part of “The Time Warp Trio.” This series is about three friends, Joe, Sam and Fred, who travel through time. The only way to go back is to find a magical book that has stars and moons on it. In this book the three friends go back in time to ancient Rome and are forced to battle gladiators. If the crowd gives the thumbs up the boys will live; if thumbs down they will die. I like this book because it is funny and exciting. It is funny because the three boys have wrestling star nicknames and because Fred tells jokes. This is a good book to learn things about ancient Rome because the chapters are Roman numerals. Also, there are a few words in Latin like quis, quid and quo, which mean who, what and where.
Nancy Drew in the Ski Slope Mystery
By Carolyn Keene
Review by Jacquelyn Sparks, 10
Highland Park
Braeside School
(Highland Park Public Library)
I love the Nancy Drew series but this was my total fave! I loved how Nancy found that she had a mystery on her hands. George (Nancy’s boyfriend) lost a necklace that her parents bought her. She comes out of the bathroom saying, “My necklace is gone!” I recommend this book to readers who love a good mystery, and to people who love short, fun stories!
The Truth About Sixth Grade
By Colleen O’Shaughnessy McKenna
Review by Tara Bridges, 11
Chicago
St. Tarcissus School
“The Truth About Sixth Grade” is about a girl named Collette who moves back to her old hometown. Her two friends tell her that the 6th-grade teacher is cute. Then Collette finds out that her dad played football with the cute teacher. Sherri, a popular girl in 8th grade, becomes fake friends with Collette only so she can see Collete’s cute teacher more often. At the end, Collette finds out who her real friends are. I recommend this book to girls who may not be sure if a “friend” is a true friend or is only using them. I loved reading this book and I think you would too.
High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House series)
By Mary Pope Osborne
Review by Elizabeth Gardner, 8
Chicago
Gateway Charter School (Fla.)
Morgan le Fay owns a Magic Tree House where 7-year-old Annie, and her 8-year-old brother, Jack, play. They go to the treehouse for time-travel adventures. “Magic Tree House” is a series, and this book takes the kids to the Hawaiian islands of long ago. Morgan told Annie and Jack to make a friend ship, so they left thinking they were looking for a real ship. Jack, who’s usually the smart one, realized the ship was not a sailing ship, but a special relationship: a friendship. I recommend this book because it was funny. I also learned about Hawaii and about making friends with kids of other cultures. I think it would take you one day of straight reading to finish the book if you are sick in bed; maybe a week if you are in school.
Reef of Death
By Paul Zindel
Review by Gwendolyn Watts, 14
Country Club Hills
Edward Coles School
(Grande Prairie Public Library)
The book “Reef of Death” was really scary and fun to read, and every chapter was bone-chilling and took you to new heights. The whole book takes place underwater. You wouldn’t want to miss a bit of it. I think other kids would like to read this book because if they’re bored they could read it and it would actually feel like they’re watching a movie. This book allows you to use your whole imagination. It seems like you’re with these people, watching their every move. It’s full of adventure and horror to the max.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
By Avi
Review by Megan Froehlich, 11
Elk Grove Village
Hale School
The book is about a girl who comes from England to the United States aboard a ship called the Seahawk. The Seahawk is full of men who tell tales about their awful captain. Charlotte doesn’t believe them until the captain flogs her best friend for no reason. Charlotte feels it is her fault her friend was flogged so she becomes a member of the crew. Charlotte is accused of murder of the first mate, but she didn’t do it. She has to find out who did it before she is put to death. The story feels so realistic, it seems you’re with Charlotte witnessing everything that is happening. I encourage everyone to pick up this book and be swept away by Charlotte’s adventure.
The Breadwinner
By Deborah Ellis
Review by Stephanie Oehrlein, 11
Round Lake Beach
Palombi Middle School
I really liked reading this book because it helped me realize and understand how hard life is in other countries, and how things we take for granted here are huge problems somewhere else. Afghanistan is where Parvana, an 11-year-old, lives. She is the main character, and she is who you will go with on many different, sad, scary or heartwarming adventures. “The Breadwinner” is a book that kept me reading because Deborah Ellis put in many surprises throughout the story, and she delivers many messages.
Little Rat Sets Sail
By Monika Bang-Campbell
Review by Stephanie Yan Li, 7
Vernon Hills
Diamond Lake School
I’ve read a magnificent book called “Little Rat Sets Sail,” which was spectacularly written by Monika Bang-Campbell. This book is about a small mammal named Little Rat who faces her fears. I like this book because it teaches me that I shouldn’t be afraid to do things that are right. Little Rat’s parents sign her up for sailing lessons. She does scary things like going down a steep hill, jumping into the deep water when there’s a sandbar, and putting up the jib on the boat. I encourage you to read this book if you have trouble doing something that you are frightened of doing.
Marguerite Makes a Book
By Bruce Robertson, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt
Review by Ishani Mathur, 7
Highland Park
Braeside School
(Highland Park Public Library)
I enjoyed the book because it had beautiful illustrations and showed me how hard Marguerite worked. On the border of the book she had animals, birds and flowers so pretty, they looked real. It was fascinating to learn how they made ink in the old days, with fruit, flowers and gold leaf. The story gave you a lot to think about. I loved the setting (Paris in the 1400s). The characters were all very nice (Lady Isabelle was pretty). Her steward’s dog looked mean. I highly recommend it.
Homer Price
By Robert McCloskey
Review by Martin Downs, 9
Chicago
Keller Regional Gifted Center
(Chicago Public Library)
My opinion of the book is that it is funny and interesting. It was funny when an old man named Mr. Murphy had a musical mouse-trap and used it to get rid of all the mice in Canterbury. It was interesting when the superhero, Super Duper, made faces when iodine was put on his cuts. When he was in the movies, cannonballs wouldn’t hurt him. I liked his drawings mixed with the stories. Every time I finished one chapter, I wanted to read the next one. Although it is a long book, I would recommend it to others, because I.
Legend of the Petoskey Stone
By Kathy-jo Wargin
Review by Hannah Kopach, 9
Elmhurst
Edison School
I got to meet the author at the Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor, Mich., this month. We sat on benches under the pine trees outside the shop while the author read the book to us. Afterwards, we had a Petoskey Stone hunt. The book is about an American Indian boy named Petosegay who becomes a respected leader. When pioneers came to Michigan, they became friends with the Indians and called Petosegay “Chief.” One day, the Indians and the settlers got together and decided to name the town Petoskey in honor of Chief Petosegay. Now, when people find special fossils with the sunburst shape on them, they call the rocks Petoskey stones, which are native to the upper Michigan region.
Philip Hall Likes Me. I Reckon Maybe
By Bette Greene
Review by Christina Zhen, 11,
Chicago
Healy School
(Chicago Public Library)
I liked this book because I found it hilarious! I found one part hilarious when Elizabeth (Beth for short) likes Philip Hall one day and hates him the next day! I think kids should read this book because it puts smiles on people’s faces. When I started reading it, I found out that is was unlike any other. I found this book a sort of friendly book to children. This book had beautiful pictures and barely any hard vocabulary words. If kids like chapter books with pictures in it, I hope that they will pick out this book!
The Girls of Lighthouse Lane: Katherine’s Story
By Erika Tamar
Review by Allison Nolan, 9
Griffith, Ind.
Wadsworth School
Katherine is a young girl who lives in a lighthouse with her parents. Her dream was to become a famous artist. One day she guided a boat into the shore during a storm. The people on the boat offered her a chance to go to a special art school in Boston. Her parents did not want her to go, but she decided that even if she had to run away she would go there. Katherine had many adventures on her trip. I liked the book because Katherine learned that there is a right way and a wrong way of doing things.
Ginger Pye
By Eleanor Estes
Review by Martha Harrouff, 13
Aledo
Home school
“Ginger Pye” is the story of a boy, named Jerry Pye, who desperately wants a puppy. He and his sister, Rachel, earn the money and buy a dog, whom they name Ginger. They have loads of fun and adventures with him. On Thanksgiving Day, however, that happiness ends; Ginger is kidnapped! Jerry and Rachel know who did it; it’s the person who always shows up when Ginger is around, the Unsavory Character. They start drawing pictures of Unsavory and imagining all sorts of nonsense about him. While they are doing all of this, Ginger is only a few blocks away from them! I enjoyed this book because of all of the humor and family stories. Any child, especially those 8 to 10 years of age, would like this book.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
By Richard and Florence Atwater
Review by Mario Karatasios, 10
Glenview
Glen Grove School
Have you ever gotten a pet as a surprise? If the answer is yes, then I hope you’re happy with your pet. The answer will probably be no on this next question: Have you ever gotten a penguin as a surprise? The answer is yes to Mr. Popper in “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.” Mr. Popper was a normal man like you and me, but he loved Antarctica almost as much as he loved his wife, Mrs. Popper, or his two children, Bill and Jill. This book is very exciting and funny. First he starts with one male penguin. Then he gets a female penguin. Then the female penguin gets 10 other babies, which are named from famous people of America. What dangers will these penguins cause to the Poppers? What excitement will they do? How will you figure all this out? By reading this exciting, fabulous book.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
By Maya Angelou
Review by Stephanie Wagner, 13
Hinsdale
Avery Coonley School
In this enthralling autobiography, Maya Angelou tells of experiences that shaped her life. These events not only changed her as a person, but also affected her development as a writer. At 3, Maya lives with her grandmother in Arkansas until her father takes her to live in St. Louis. While there, a horrific incident occurs at her mother’s home. Upon returning to Arkansas, a woman in town introduces Maya to the joyous world of reading, a place of refuge. Yet the struggles continue. At Maya’s 8th-grade graduation, the guest speaker, a white man, talks condescendingly of the “negroes,” snuffing out the happiness of this occasion. At this critical moment, Maya resolves to work harder at writing and achieve success. Through these experiences, Maya Angelou develops a love for expressing herself through words, making her amazing life an inspiration to readers.
The House of the Scorpion
By Nancy Farmer
Review by Michael Cavanagh, 13
Palos Heights
Palos South Middle School
As the day goes on and you are dying for a book to read, why not choose one of the best? “The House of the Scorpion” catches the reader’s attention on every page. To me this story shows how one boy who is despised by most is able to overcome everyone and everything. Matt, in the book, was a clone to an all-powerful drug lord, El Patron. Over the years, Matt discovers secrets about his “Dad’s” past. As he discovers the truth, the clock for his life ending is ticking. Matt needs to escape the drug empire and rule what is rightfully his. I would rate this book an 11 out of 10. Every page makes you jump, and every sentence ends leaving you in suspense.
Quit It
By Marcia Byalick
Review by Lia Sacks, 10
Lincolnwood
Schecter Day School
In “Quit It,” you will meet Carrie, a 7th grader who has Tourette’s syndrome. Like most people with Tourette’s syndrome, Carrie has uncontrollable body movements called tics. Carrie’s classmates are nervous to be around her. They do not understand that she cannot control the movements that her body makes. Because of Carrie’s Tourette’s syndrome, she has very few friends and feels left out and alone. She wishes that people would not judge her by the one thing that makes her different. Carrie’s drama teacher discovers her talent as an actress and helps Carrie to feel confident and part of a group. Carrie teaches us to not judge people by their differences or disabilities. If we pay attention to their strengths, we may discover what is great and wonderful about them.
The Bellmaker
By Brian Jacques
Review by Samuel Elder, 13
Chicago
Franklin Middle School (Valparaiso, Ind.)
“The Bellmaker” continues Brian Jacques’ famous “Redwall” literature saga. It follows the path of a young mousemaid’s father (all of the characters are animals) on his quest to help his daughter. The book, like almost every other “Redwall” book, also has several subplots. That is a major part of what makes the book so enjoyable. The main plot itself is entertaining. Even if you are familiar with the plot, it still proves to be very enticing. The characters, being animals, provide a humorous outlook on animals. The animals wear clothes and talk like us, but enjoy foods like chestnuts, and beware of predators like wolves and stoats. The language is easy to understand and written very fluidly. I recommend this book to whoever likes medieval adventure.
Magic by the Lake
By Edward Eager
Review by Rebecca Glover, 10,
Glenview
Glen Grove School
Do you like magic? Are you interested in exploring new places and hunting for treasure? Then you would love this fun, captivating book. In this story four enterprising children find a powerful magic lake. The magic happens when they touch the lake and make a wish. Using the magic lake, Jane, Mark, Katharine and Martha have wonderful adventures and treasure hunts. However, there is one problem; every time they make a wish they use up some of the lake’s magic. In order to preserve the magic for as long as possible, the children make a list of rules on how and when the magic can be used. Most of the time these rules work pretty well, until Martha begins to break the rules and then things really get crazy.
Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder
By Barbara Park
Review by Brooke Sowa, 6
Gurnee
Woodland Elementary West
Junie B. is so hilarious. I think you should read this book because it’s a good book. I think this book is great for someone who has a wiggly tooth to read. I love this book, and I think you should too.
