Here is the final installment of book reviews and drawings done this summer by kids and teens for the Read & Write project. Hearty thanks to all the young people who took the time to sit down and describe so vividly the highlights of one of their favorite books. The reviews and drawings were articulate and heartfelt, and we only wish there had been room to print every one we received. To see all of the Read & Write reviews we published this year, please visit chicagotribune.com/books.
We hope the enthusiastic recommendations will encourage more young readers to pick up and enjoy books this school year and beyond.
It’s Justin Time, Amber Brown
By Paula Danziger
Review by Autumn Clemons, 7
Harvey
Lowell School
(Grande Prairie Public Library)
Do you want to read a great book? Then you should go to the library and check out this book. Amber Brown wants something special for her 7th birthday and it’s a watch. She wants the watch to tell how late her best friend, Justin, will be when he comes over to play with her. Justin is always late and Amber is always on time. I liked this book because I’m 7 years old like Amber Brown and I learned that you have to accept people the way they are.
Three Topsy-Turvy Tales
By Anne Brouillard
Review by Marybeth Barnes, 7
Park Ridge
George Washington School
(Park Ridge Public Library)
Boys and girls, “Three Topsy-Turvy Tales” is a great book to read in the summer. There are three stories in this book. It is a picture book! So you can use your own words and imagination. My favorite story in this book is “Snowfall Downfall.” It’s about penguins going sledding. It made me feel cool in this Chicago heat. So read it and be cool!
The Wreckers
By Iain Lawrence
Review by Isabelle Uhl, 10
Glenview
Glen Grove School
The book “The Wreckers” is a suspenseful story about a 14-year-old boy named John. He is riding on his father’s boat, “The Isle of Skye,” with his father and his crew members. They crash and John and his father are the only ones who survive. The island they crashed on was a place where the people even prayed for shipwrecks and made them happen because they dreamed of all the riches other people had. His father got taken away by the people who wanted his cargo. John decides to find and save his father. It’s a great book with many dangerous and breathtaking situations.
Deep Doo-Doo
By Michael Delaney
Review by Lisa Silshtut, 10
Northbrook
Glen Grove School
Everywhere Bennet and Pete go, people are buzzing about the new mystery dog, Deep Doo-Doo, who interrupted the governor’s speech. What everyone doesn’t know is that Bennet and Pete found out how to interrupt TV signals with the old transmitter they set up in Bennet’s bedroom. But with the police and the FBI on the case, how much longer can Bennet and Pete air Deep Doo-Doo? Find out in this hilarious story. This book is also very interesting, especially for aspiring inventors and children who enjoy a good laugh.
Speak
By Laurie Halse Anderson
Review by Elizabeth Tompkins, 14
McHenry
Marian Central Catholic High School
(McHenry Public Library)
“It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache.” So begins one of the best teenage novels ever. Meet Melinda Sordino: silent outcast, best friend of Rachel Bruin, and the girl who crashed Kyle Rodgers’ end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Ignored, exiled, and despised by most of her high school, Melinda keeps herself alive–and somewhat sane–with her own wandering thoughts. Sarcastic, cunning and grimly amusing, this book will take any reader on a dark captivating year through Merryweather High School. From Melinda’s point of view, you experience the outside struggles and internal battles teens confront daily. You figure out how her mind works, you share in her toils and emotions and eventually, you learn the deep, black secret has haunted Melinda ever since that night at Kyle Rodgers’ party.
Angelina Ballerina’s Invitation to the Ballet
By Katharine Holabird
Review by Jenna Brody, 6
Skokie
Schechter Day School
This is a good book. Angelina gets two tickets the ballet Cindermouse. Angelina goes to find invite one of her friends to go with her to watch Cindermouse. None of her friends could come. They were all busy doing something else. You should read it to find out what happens in end. While you read the book you get to open envelopes and cards that different mice get. It is to open them and find out what each mouse going to do.
Ender’s Game
By Orson Scott Card
Review by Kevin Hong, 12
Chicago
Whitney Young High School Academic Center
Warning: This book is dangerous — could reduce sleep! The world government is breeding military geniuses to an invasion of “Buggers” — aliens who are technologically advanced, can communicate telepathically, and are threatening the human race. Ender Wiggin is the best at strategy games and revered by his fellow geniuses. Can he save the world? Readers ages 9 and over, especially boys, will enjoy this story. It’s told from a 12-year-old boy genius’ perspective, involving global warfare and politics in a futuristic world. Its view of the future intrigued me with creative descriptions that kept me turning the pages. I believe the future could really turn out like this novel. Fast readers can finish this 300-page book in three days. If you get hooked, there are over seven sequels to read. My advice: If you read this, have caffeinated soda handy, because once you start, you won’t want to stop!
Hoot
By Carl Hiaasen
Review by Ethan Gordon, 9
Buffalo Grove
Ivy Hall School
(Indian Trails Library)
Do you like books that are funny and weird, but serious? Then you’ll like “Hoot.” I like this book because the main character, Roy, was curious and friendly. He reminds me of me. This book is about saving owls from being killed by the building of a pancake house. Roy would have never even been part of this if it was not for Dana Matherson. Dana, the meanest boy in Trace Middle School, was squeezing Roy to a window when Roy saw a boy running barefoot. The next day Roy saw the boy running again. This time he was too curious. Roy had to find out why he was running and where he was going. Down the street, there was a pancake house called Mother Paula’s being built. My favorite person was Roy. He showed me that kids can make a difference in the world if they believe in what they are doing.
The Outsiders
By S.E. Hinton
Review by Juan Alvarez, 11
Chicago
Bateman School
Are you a good friend? Find out about the ultimate friend-ships in “The Outsiders.” One night, two “greasers” named Pony Boy and Johnny take things too far when they kill a rival gang member in self-defense, flee from the police, and hide out in an abandoned church. Read the book to find out how they be-come heroes! You can relate to “The Outsiders” for action, drama, violence and even nature. Pony Boy tells Johnny a poem by Robert Frost called “Nothing Gold Can Stay” when they are in hiding, which makes you see how beautiful nature is, even when the world is full of ugliness. Further-more, it proves that people are complex: Those who seem bad on the outside can still care about and even love others. Who knew a dangerous criminal could save a stranger like you or me?
The Capture (Guardians of Ga’hoole, Book 1)
By Kathryn Lasky
Review by Isabel Hannigan, 9
Chicago
Parker School
This book I am reviewing is about animals; not just any animals, owls. “Owls!” you are probably thinking, “What an obscure topic!” Perhaps not so obscure in Lasky’s vision. In this series a barn owl named Soren gets kidnapped to a horrible place called St. Aggie’s: all cliffs and stone. He meets Gylfie, an elf owl who has a small body but big plans. Together they escape St. Aggie’s by learning the secret of flight. Whoosh, they go into gripping adventure to find the Guardians of Ga’hoole, a legendary group of powerful and good owls. Soren and Gylfie hope the Guardians will conquer the growing threat of the Pure Ones, a horrible bloodthirsty gang who wish to kill everyone who is not a Barn Owl. This remarkable series gripped me like a claw. I hope it will grab you too.
Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones
By Alvin Schwartz
Review by Carlos Barrera, 10
Chicago
Holden School
The book is creepy. It is scary. You would be scared if you read it in the dark. The disgusting story was “The Red Spot.” First the red spot was a spider. The spider laid its eggs in a woman’s left cheek. Then the spider was gone. There was a red dot left on the lady’s cheek. The dot kept growing and growing and when the lady took a hot shower the red dot exploded. Tiny spiders were all over the tub. You need to read the book to find out what happens.
Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, No. 5: The Secret of Shadow Ranch
By Carolyn Keene
Review by Mackenzie Odier, 9
Chicago
Morgan Park Academy
(Chicago Public Library)
I think “The Secret of Shadow Ranch” is a must-read because I was drawn to the book. I think Carolyn Keene is a great author because when I read her stories I feel like I am in the story. If you like mysteries or fiction novels, you will like Nancy Drew books. My mom recommended “The Secret of Shadow Ranch” to me. Nancy is on vacation with her two friends, who are cousins. Their uncle owns Shadow Ranch. Many years be-fore, a man named Valentine loved a girl whose father, a sheriff, owned Shadow Ranch. Valentine sent the girl jewels and gold, and planned to meet her. Before they got to see each other, the sheriff killed Valentine. Right before Valentine died, he set a curse on Shadow Ranch. Shadow Ranch has had mysterious problems ever since. Recommended for intense readers, ages 8 and up.
Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors
By Jenny Nimmo
Review by Bela Shah, 12
Downers Grove
Herrick Middle School
(Downers Grove Public Library)
In this suspenseful book, magic wands turn into silver-tipped white moths, a castle of mirrors is given to its rightful owner, and much, much more. “Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors” is just like the rest of the Children of the Red King series: fun, exciting, outstanding and delightful. Author Jenny Nimmo has once again pulled off a brilliant book. Five out of five stars.
Coraline
By Neil Gaiman
Review by Brigidh Duffey, 10
Villa Park
St. Alexander’s School
(Villa Park Library)
Children are not powerless. “Coraline” thoroughly shows this. Not only do we (we being kids) have power in the future, we have power in the present. Coraline enters a world much like her own. After learning a horrible secret, she leaves but must return to save her parents and the souls of three children. I would recommend “Coraline” for 3rd graders and above. To enjoy “Coraline,” you must have a passion for magic and mystery, as I do. Sometimes we see somebody’s way of life, compare it to our own, and envy it. How foolish! Nothing is all good. Coraline discovers this. Coraline compares dreams and reality. The two aren’t that different. I have been told by friends that “Coraline” is just a story. I think it is more. It made me imagine that somewhere, somehow I might have an other mother and other father, an “other” life.
Toulouse-Lautrec: The Moulin Rouge and the City of Light
By Robert Burleigh
Review by Laura Gray Gardner, 10
Chicago
Gateway Charter School (Fla.)
In July, an exhibit was coming to the Chicago Art Institute–that’s what hooked me on this book. I like to study art, so I wanted to read about Toulouse-Lautrec in advance. He was born in 1864 to a wealthy family in Paris. He inherited artistic talents and started drawing when he was just a boy. In his teenage years, he broke both his legs. They discovered a bone disease and his legs did not grow correctly. No matter how sick or ill he was, he always drew and kept up his artistic dream. Over a 15-year period, he completed over 6,000 artworks. He died in 1901, when he was only 36. I enjoyed this biography because it shows his life in his artwork. It’s a book I’ll treasure.
Artemis Fowl
By Eoin Colfer
Review by Jacob Shapiro, 10
Chicago
Edison Regional Gifted Center
(Chicago Public Library)
Artemis Fowl is the story of an Irish boy who’s a genius, a thief and a billionaire. After gathering evidence of the existence of subterranean creatures such as elves, centaurs, dwarves and trolls, Artemis sets off to Asia to seek out a sprite that holds a secret fairy document known as The Book. After copying the pages of The Book and deciphering the code, Artemis comes in contact with the long-thought mythical creatures. Having been the first human to decipher The Book, Artemis knows something about the fairies’ beloved gold. Once a human (or mud men, as they are known to the fairies) captures fairy gold, it is his or hers to keep. Knowing this, Artemis kidnaps one of the LEPrecon police in an attempt to ransom her for fairy gold. After an unsuccessful rescue attempt at Fowl manor, Artemis gets his gold but does something that shocks even himself.
Purple Hibiscus
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Review by Chinelo Agwuncha, 13
Westchester
Westchester Middle School
(Westchester Public Library)
The main character of this book is a 15-year-old girl named Kambili. She lives in Enugu, Nigeria. Her very rich father is religious and has harsh punishments for his kids and wife. Kambili and her brother, Jaja, go to visit her auntie Ifeoma. During their stay Kambili breaks out of her shell and falls in love with a young priest, and Jaja learns how to garden. When they return matters get worse at their house and Kambili’s mother makes a dramatic choice that not only affects their family, but everyone else they know. “Purple Hibiscus” gives a different perspective of not only Nigeria, but of the rich and the poor. It shows how riches can drive a family haywire and that you don’t need money to be happy. Even though I am Nigerian myself, this book taught me many new things about Nigeria, and every page pulled me in deeper and deeper.
Amelia Bedelia
By Peggy Parish
Review by Ryan Thomas, 8
Hazel Crest
Dimensions Homeschool
(Grande Prairie Public Library)
If you want to read a funny book, please read “Amelia Bedelia.” Amelia Bedelia is a new housekeeper for Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, who are rich. On her first day of work for them, they left her alone. That is when the problem started. She got everything mixed up. The list told her to dust the room but she took dusting powder from the bathroom and put it all over the room. The list also said to dress the turkey. That was my favorite part. She does other silly things. You have to read the book to find out what happened when Mr. and Mrs. Rogers came home. I promise you will laugh out loud while you read the whole book.
Cheaper by the Dozen
By Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Review by Thomas Baker, 11, Sam Colgate, 11, Rob Colgate, 8, Molly Kipnis, 11, and Danny Kipnis, 9, members of The Other Kind Of Summer (TOKOS) camp
Evanston
You have got to read “Cheaper by the Dozen”! We just finished reading this book together in our family camp group and we liked it a lot. It is the story of the Gilbreth family — a family of 12 children and two efficiency-minded parents. In the book, the authors, Frank and Ernestine Gilbreth, tell a lot of funny stories about growing up as a Gilbreth, where nearly everything has to be done on the double and by the dozen. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbreth both work as efficiency experts and use their methods for in-creasing productivity in factories and industries on their children (and vice versa). For example, they come up with amazing methods for taking a super-fast bath, for making a bed, and for learning new things, like the Morse code and sailing a boat! It would be fun to be part of the Gilbreth family.
Geez, Louise!
By Susan Middleton Elya
Review by Tylar Perdue, 8
Chicago
Ariel Community Academy
(Chicago Public Library)
Louise was a stink-bug. She was very stinky. She can count her friends on her pinky. Everyone scattered when she passed. Termite Tara, who was almost blind, ignored the smell. Louise and Tara went ice skating every day. Then they heard about an ice-skating showdown. But Louise knew a bug who just might beat her–Kiki, the roach. She was tough and mean. So Tara helped Louise get ready. Every bug came, so Louise’s heart went thump-thump-thump. She started with her triple-jump. Kiki began with her trademark spin. This book is funny. Louise has lots of friends because she stood up to the bully.
The Meanest Doll in the World
By Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin
Review by Rebekah Revello, 11
Glenview
Glen Grove School
Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft have been BFF (Best Friends Forever) for a long time. They have gone on many adventures, including saving Annabelle’s Aunt Sara from a terrible fate. Now, though, is the biggest problem of all. Annabelle and Tiffany accidentally get trapped in Kate’s (the owner of the dolls) backpack, and they take a nice little trip to school! When it’s time to go home, they get in the wrong backpack!! Then they go to the wrong house. What are they going to do? While they are meeting new friends at the new house they also meet their doom. There is a doll at the new house whose name is Mean Mimi, and she’s, well, mean! She wants to either destroy everything or rule all of Doll-kind. Will Annabelle and Tiffany ever get back home? Will Mean Mimi win her game and rule them all?
Hot Wheels: 35 Years of Speed, Power, Performance and Attitude
By Randy Leffingwell
Review by Raymond Thomas Jr., 11
Hazel Crest
Highlands School
Hot Wheels cars are my favorite toys and that’s why I was excited when my parents gave me this book for my 10th birthday. This Hot Wheels book includes the history and pictures of classic mod-els–I even have some of them. My favorite part in the book is reading about the design center in California. The book shows how Hot Wheels cars are made, step by step. This is a big book but I have read it over and over because I keep learning something new and the pictures are so colorful. This is a perfect book for Hot Wheels fans.
African Wild Dogs
By Victor Gentle and Janet Perry
Review by Kasey Boyd, 9
Country Club Hills
Infant Jesus of Prague School
(Grande Prairie Public Library)
I think that people should take care of these animals, because we might need them in the future. People are cruel. We don’t think about what we’re doing when we’re killing those animals. Some animals, like hyenas, can help us in ways. If a farm animal dies some-where in the savanna, they’ll eat the carcasses. You see, we should respect the animals today and not kill them tomorrow.
Riding Freedom
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Review by Kelly Whitney, 10
Park Ridge
St. Paul of the Cross School
This book is a must-read because it’s a great story about a young girl who is brave, determined and courageous. The story takes place in the mid-1800s in New Hampshire. The main character is Charlotte, who is orphaned when her parents are killed in a horse accident. She ran away from the orphanage after her best friend Hayward was adopted and the people in charge banned her from working with horses. Charlotte loved horses. Her favorite horse, Freedom, got sick and died. When she ran away, she hid in a stable before the owners found her. The owner is impressed with how much she knows about horses, so he offers her a job and a place to stay. She stays there until another job offer sends her to California. The book kept my interest. I wanted to keep reading to find out about her adventures. Charlotte was a brave survivor.
Because of Winn-Dixie
By Kate DiCamillo
Drawing by Miguel Tapia Fuentes, 11
Chicago
Bateman School
Polar Bears Past Bedtime
By Mary Pope Osborne
Drawing by Aleksandra Winiarz, 9
Des Plaines
Devonshire School
(Des Plaines Public Library)
