We asked young readers earlier this year to share their views on a favorite book by writing a review or drawing a picture about why that book is special. As we looked over the hundreds of great submissions, we only wished there had been room to print them all. Please come to the Books section again next week for the last installment of reviews. The reviews and illustrations from previous weeks, as well as a list of 100 great summer reads compiled by local librarians, are at chicagotribune.com/books.
Bunny Cakes
By Rosemary Wells
Review by Emily Rennhak, 6
Crystal Lake
Woodscreek School
(Crystal Lake Library)
My favorite book is “Bunny Cakes” because it helps kids learn to be nice to ev-eryone and to never give up. And to keep trying, like Max.
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
By Jack Gantos
Review by Joshua Sohn, 11
Glenview
Glen Grove School
Joey Pigza had always been a … a … let’s say, a little wired. By that I mean, you know, a tiny bit naughty and unique, and a boy who cannot pay attention, sit still, doesn’t follow the rules and much more. But Joey was born like that. Joey’s grandma and dad had also been wired, and it passed on to Joey. Because Joey cannot control his craziness, he has to take medicine to control himself. Up until now the medicine had been working, but now things have been getting a little weird with his mom back. He starts to swallow keys and jump around like a lunatic. He will either have to put his act together or go to a specialed center. Read this hilarious book.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Drawing by Eliana Lozada, 12, Chicago Bateman School
Drawing by Elizabeth Nieto, 11
Chicago
Bateman School
Stuart Little 2: The Movie Storybook
By Julie Michaels
Review by Anthony Clemons Jr., 9
Harvey
Lowell School
(Grande Prairie Public Library)
Have you seen the movie “Stuart Little 2”? Well, maybe you should read this exciting book entitled “Stuart Little 2: The Movie Storybook.” It is a great book to read. It has lots of adventures. In this wonderful book Stuart makes a friend with a bird named Margalo. Stuart also gets to rescue her from a bigger bird that’s named The Falcon. The climax of the story is when Stuart’s family goes looking for him. Stuart left the house to go find Margalo. My favorite part of the story is when Margalo goes down South with the other birds and Stuart Little says, “I will always remember our friendship in my little heart.” I like this book because he’s a little mouse in a big world.
The Phantom Toll Booth
By Norton Juster
Review by Kristofer Hansen, 10
Glenview
Glen Grove School
Milo, a 10-year-old boy, always wants the opposite of what he’s doing. When Milo is at school, he wants to be home. When he’s home, he wants to be at school. Then one day (always a gloomy day for Milo), Milo finds something in his room that will change his life forever! Norton Juster has a very funny way of playing with words. I bet anyone with a great sense of humor will love, and laugh along with, the book!
See the Yak Yak
By Charles Ghigna
Review by Matt Keseric, 6
Hinsdale
Oak School
This book is funny because the pictures can show things that are actually in the sentence. For example, “See the chicken chicken.” The picture shows that the chicken is scared to go off the diving board. Another example is, “See the slug slug.” The picture is showing a slug slugging a bug who was really, really bugging him. It is very funny to read and at the end of the book, “the end” ends.
Midnight for Charlie Bone
By Jenny Nimmo
Review by Sam Dotson, 8
Highland Park
Ravinia Elementary
(Highland Park Public Library)
“Midnight for Charlie Bone” is about a boy who can talk to the people inside pictures and newspapers. He can also go inside paintings! When Charlie’s three aunts find out about his special gift, they send him to an academy for kids with magic and artistic abilities. Charlie has to learn the secrets of the academy and save Emma Tolly! The characters in this book are very interesting.
Afternoon on the Amazon
By Mary Pope Osborne
Review by Alise Morrow, 8 Matteson
Flossmoor Montessori
The story is about two kids, Jack and Annie, on a quest to find 1 of 4 things to help their friend Morgan le Fay. Morgan has a magic treehouse filled with books that take them to places around the world and time. Jack and Annie learned about the Amazon Rain Forest. The rain forest has treetops called the forest canopy with flowers, butterflies and birds. The forest floor is cool, damp, quiet and gets little sun. It has many animals living there, like flesh-eating ants. I adored this book! It was cool because there were two kids on an adventure and it made me feel like I was there with them.
Jumanji
By Chris Van Allsburg
Review by Geronimo Martinez, 9
Chicago
Holden School
Everyone should read “Jumanji” by Chris Van Allsburg. If you have seen the movie, well, the book is better. “Jumanji” is about two children playing a jungle game and the animals become alive. This book has parts that will get you all excited. When you read this book you won’t be able to put it down. While you’re reading this book you have to pay close attention. If you do pay attention you will understand the ending.
The Slightly True Story of Cedar B. Hartley
By Martine Murray
Review by Rachel O’Grady, 9
Chicago
Sacred Heart School
(Chicago Public Library)
Cedar Hartley is an ordinary but amazing girl. Her personality is a lot like her imagination, daring and exploring. She is an adventurous and curious 13-year-old girl. She has lived in an Australian city her whole life and can’t find any good friends. One day she loses her dog and when she meets the person who finds it, she makes her first friend. She finds out his odd name, Kite. Kite isn’t an ordinary boy, exactly what Cedar needs! Kite’s parents are acrobats, so Kite got lessons from his mom and then gave them to Cedar. I think you will get into this book easily, because I did!
Two Bad Ants
By Chris Van Allsburg
Review by Mandy Xue, 9
Chicago
Holden School
Everyone should read “Two Bad Ants.” It’s a very, very good book. If you want to see the world from the ant’s point of view, this book will show you. In the story, one of the ants brings a crystal of sugar to the queen but in the ants’ world they don’t know it is sugar. The queen loves the taste so lots of ants go to get the sugar. When they get the sugar they were very tired. Two of the ants stay behind and they get into a lot of trouble. If you want to find out what happens next, read the book.
The Hidden Life of Otto Frank
By Carol Ann Lee
Review by Honghe Li, 12
Chicago
Edison Regional Gifted Center
(Chicago Public Library)
“The Hidden Life of Otto Frank” is a compelling biography that helps readers understand Otto Frank, the heroic and inspirational man who tried to preserve his daughter Anne Frank’s memory. In particular, this book not only presents year-by-year reports of Otto’s entire life, but also describes his roles during both world wars and analyzes the life of the late Tonny Ahlers, a former Dutch Nazi suspected of betraying Anne Frank and her family to Nazi authorities. Clearly described is the hope and happiness which Otto gained through striving to teach the world valuable lessons about the Holocaust through Anne’s diaries, many theatrical plays and several motion pictures. Combining facts with hundreds of quotes and dozens of pictures, Carol Ann Lee makes this a great read for those hoping to learn more about the shadows which surrounded Anne Frank and her family.
Charlotte’s Web
By E.B. White
Review by Lucia Lopez, 11
ChicagoBateman School
Imagine a world where a pig, a rat and a spider are friends. If this sounds in-teresting to you, then you should read “Charlotte’s Web.” A child named Fern saves a little runt pig that she names Wilbur. After Wilbur grows up, he is sent to a farm where he makes friends with a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is about to be slaughtered, Charlotte saves him by spinning a web that says, “Some Pig.” After this miracle, he is sent to a fair where he wins prizes and has more adventures. I would recommend “Charlotte’s Web” to kids who are 7 through 10 years old. If you like books that include fellowship, incidents and passing of time, or if you have a pet that you take good care of, you will love this book even more. Like E.B. White, remember to use your imagination. In “Charlotte’s Web,” anything is possible!
The Hardy Boys, No. 177: The Case of the Psychic’s Vision
By Franklin W. Dixon
Review by Christopher Winiarz, 12
Des Plaines
Friendship Junior High
(Des Plaines Public Library)
Heart-stopping action. Pulse-pounding adventure. Cliff-hanging suspense. Mind-blowing mysteries. All these describe the Hardy Boys and their newest adventure. There’s a new family in Bayport: psychics with visions of the past, present and future. While lots of people are curious about the psychics, Frank and Joe Hardy are skeptical: Is this psychic family for real? When Colin, one member of the psychic family, makes an extremely accurate prediction about a future event, the Hardys are shocked. And when Colin starts “seeing” truths buried in a classmate’s past, Frank and Joe find themselves hunting for clues to this puzzling mystery. Had Colin not abruptly arrived, this mystery would surely have been left unsolved. With help from a boy who can see things no one else can, the Hardys learn firsthand that things aren’t always as they seem.
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
By J.R.R. Tolkien
Review by Andrew Molina, 8
Downers Grove
Kingsley School
“The Hobbit” is a great book, and I think that everyone–both kids and grownups–would really enjoy reading it. The main character is Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit who lives in Hobbiton and goes on a long, treacherous adventure in search of the treasures that Smaug the dragon has hidden in the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, he encounters pony-eating goblins, torturous trolls, wandering wolves, helpful eagles, wood elves and giant spiders. On this journey, he travels with 13 dwarves and a wizard named Gandalf the Grey. Reading about his journey is exciting, and you can really let your imagination run wild trying to picture the strange places and creatures he meets. Give this book a try. I’ll bet you’ll love it, too!
Loser
By Jerry Spinelli
Review by Elio Santiago, 11
Chicago
Bateman School
Who has atrocious handwriting, loses the Field Day competition and can’t make a soccer goal? Donald Zinkoff. He has many adventures. The book starts with his first day of school, and no one or nothing can stop him. When his teacher calls on him, he even stands up at attention. Another time, he goes to work with his father and becomes mailman for a day. He meets some interesting characters, including the Waiting Man, who stands in the window all day waiting for his brother to return from war. The funniest part of the book was when Zinkoff threw up on his teacher’s favorite eraser. Like Zinkoff, I sometimes feel lost and don’t know how to make friends. If you think you have a twisted life, wait until you read “Loser.”
The Shadow Club
By Neal Shusterman
Review by Akshali Gandhi, 15
Naperville
Naperville North High School
(Woodridge Public Library)
The Shadow Club was “not a gang.” At least, it wasn’t supposed to be. Not at first. Made up of a bunch of good, hardworking, caring kids, it began as a way for eight students, who were always second best and had gone unnoticed, to bond. Everyone in the club has a story to tell about a certain someone being in the way of their personal success. However, what started out as carefree, just-for-kicks practical jokes on their enemies turns out to be out-of-control, dangerous pranks pulled by someone anonymous. Plagued by anger, suspicion, frustration and jealousy from always being in the “shadow,” the group starts becoming something no one ever thought possible. This easy-to-read yet gripping story is told through the widening eyes of Jared Mercer, who is the only one that sees just how much is too much, even from within the shadows.
Cut
By Patricia McCormick
Review by Mollie Knapp, 14
Chicago
St. Ignatius College Prep
Callie, who cuts herself, is a resident at a residential treatment facility. Sea Pines (a.k.a.
Sick Minds, as Callie’s roommate, Sydney, calls it) is a place for girls with food issues (anorexic or bulimic girls), substance-abuse issues (druggies) and behavioral issues (assorted psychos). Callie belongs to the behavioral issues group. Callie refuses to speak. Every session with Callie’s counselor includes Callie sitting and memorizing the colors on the wallpaper (brown, white, blue, beige, green, red) and ends with her counselor sighing and saying, “That’s enough for today.” But will Callie ever speak? Cutting still isn’t widely recognized as an issue, but I believe it will be. It’s good that other teenagers can be aware of it when they read this book. I recommend this to any teenager, regardless of if you cut yourself. Knowing is beautiful. Educate yourself.
Lily B. on the Brink of Cool
By Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Review by Leah Arof, 11
Mt. Prospect
Holmes Junior High
(Mt. Prospect Public Library)
Lily Blennerhassett is an only child whose parents, in her words, “are simple, plain and by-the-book people.” She is certain the coming summer will be boring when she finds out that her best friend Charlotte is going away to a Young Executive Camp, where she will learn about the branches of U.S. government. However, the summer takes a different turn at Lily’s cousin’s wedding, when she meets Karma and Karma’s unconventional family. Lily enjoys hanging out with Karma until she realizes that her parents disapprove of Karma’s family. But Lily will stop at nothing to keep her friendship with Karma, even if it means getting into trouble sometimes. She also gets involved helping with the Hug The Planet organization with Karma’s parents, but the question is: Will Lily and Karma continue to be good friends, or will Lily see Karma and her family for who they really are?
Chasing Vermeer
By Blue Balliett
Review by Rachel Newman, 12
Homewood
Hart School
(Homewood Public Library)
When a famous Vermeer painting is stolen while being sent from New York to Chicago, 6th-graders Petra and Calder, who are already linked through a string of unlikely coincidences, are left to find the thief. Through published letters from the thief, accidental hints from a crabby old woman, and pentominos (which are mathematical puzzle pieces), Balliett weaves a complex mystery that leaves the reader guessing from chapter to chapter. It definitely is one of those books that you can’t put down; I read it in a total of two days, even during social studies, when Mr.Menig wasn’t looking. Altogether, “Chasing Vermeer” is an excellent book for anyone–art lover or not.
Redwall
By Brian Jacques
Review by Nick Hine, 11
Wilmette
Wilmette Junior High
This book takes place at Redwall Abbey, a prosperous place of peace, home to kind-hearted mice, moles, badgers, beavers, hedgehogs, otters, squirrels and hares. It is a place of help and healing that will take anyone in. But then an evil sea rat intent on killing everyone in the Abbey comes. His name is Cluny the Scourge. This is an amazing piece of writing that will completely pull you in. It was my favorite book of the year. At first I thought I might not like it because it is about animals, but it turned out to be a truly awesome book. It has great descriptions and great characters. It is packed with action and adventure, and is definitely a must-read.
CON-fidence
By Todd Strasser
Review by Chrissy Pawlowski, 11
NapervilleSt. Scholastica School
(Woodridge Public Library)
“CON-fidence” is sure to boost your self-confidence after you read it! Lauren is just fine with sitting in the land of the socially inferior with her best friend Tara. That is, until Celeste comes along. Popular Miss Celeste is new, but she is already sitting at the Don’t-You-Wish-You-Were-Me table. So why is she being nice to Lauren? Everyone says there’s something wrong with Celeste, but Lauren is wishing she and Celeste are true friends. Then maybe Lauren will be popular too! Will she and Celeste be friends forever?
Deltora Quest (8 volumes)
By Emily Rodda
Review by William Arnesen, 7
Chicago
Decatur Classical School
This story is about the adventures of a man, a boy and a girl. At the beginning of the first volume, some terrible things happen. The evil Shadowlord conquers the land of Del and steals the magical belt of Deltora. The boy and the man have to go on a journey to find the seven gems that belong to the belt. It is a very difficult journey and they meet many monstrous creatures. They have to solve strange riddles and puzzles. They also meet people. A couple of them help them on their journey. One girl they find has lived all her life in the forest and goes on all the adventures. She has many unusual talents. The three companions go to seven horrid places to find the gems. These books are very good. I like them because there is so much action and excitement.
Shoeless Joe and Me
By Dan Gutman
Review by Nick Sanchez, 12
Countryside
7th Avenue School
One of the main characters is Joe. He is a pro baseball player. Joe plays with the White Sox. People think that he is weird because he plays outfield with no shoes on, so they call him “Shoeless Joe.” I would think that it would be hard to run with no shoes on. I would also think that it would be hard to throw the ball with no shoes on because the shoes grip to the ground. I would recommend “Shoeless Joe and Me” to kids that like sports and if they like the White Sox.
Cuba 15
By Nancy Osa
Review by Jessica Quintero, 13
Chicago
Gallistel Branch School
(Chicago Public Library)
This book is about a girl having her 15th birthday. She doesn’t want to have it but her grandmother does. So she is going to have her party. She doesn’t like wearing dresses so her grandmother told the lady to get her something special. She has to go to dance classes with her dad. She does something bad and her dad wants to cancel the party but her mother said it was too late. The party was still on. She feels a great happiness when the party is over. I really recommend this book because it teaches you some things about a 15th birthday. I also liked it because it had some Spanish words in it.
Caddie Woodlawn
By Carol Ryrie Brink
Review by Lauren Steinke, 11
River Forest
Roosevelt Middle School
Pop Quiz! What do you get when you cross an 8-year-old girl, a Native American and two fun brothers? A historical fiction book titled “Caddie Woodlawn,” the subject of my review! This book is written and illustrated, very humorously, by Carol Ryrie Brink, the actual granddaughter of Caddie Woodlawn. In Miss Woodlawn’s childhood, there are many things that happen. As a tomboy Caddie would always do activities that were frowned upon by her sisters and shameful in her mother’s eyes, though there always was a little prideful twinkle in her father’s. She and her brothers would always get into trouble sneaking off into the wilderness to see their friends the Indians. Every chapter is a new adventure. I picked this book because Caddie Woodlawn is a person I would love to meet. I think the author’s message is that good things come in small packages.
Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants
By Barbara Park
Review by Destiny Montez, 9
Chicago
Eli Whitney School
(Chicago Public Library)
I think that this book is a good book for others to read. I like the part when Junie B. tells her friend, May, “Blah, blah, blah.” Some of my friends and I go to the library. We look for Junie B. Jones books. We also collect the books. This book is my favorite because it talks about not cheating and then Junie B. learns a lesson, that it’s not good to cheat. She learns a lesson in mostly every book.
