If you’ve been a fan of these reviews this summer and in previous years, you might have noticed a few schools and libraries that make regular appearances. That’s due to the large number of enthusiastic entries we’ve received from schools like Glen Grove in Glenview, Park View in Morton Grove and St. Angela’s in Chicago, and from libraries like the Grande Prairie Library in Hazel Crest. Thanks to them and all the others for their continued participation in Read & Write.
To see previous reviews and a list of 100 great books for summertime or anytime, visit chicagotribune.com/read&write.
Stargirl
By Jerry Spinelli
Review by Fanny Huang, 15, Chicago
Kelly High School
“Stargirl” was a simple book to read but has a lot of depth to it. It is very relevant to teenagers my age. Jerry Spinelli talks about how hard is it being true to yourself but yet trying to fit in with others when you first enter a new school. I entered high school this year so everything was very new and different to me. Many people try to fit in with others because they want to be in the “cool” crowd, but they are so worried about that, they almost forget who they used to be. He talks about a girl, who was different from others, who didn’t care about fitting in, and was true to herself throughout this book.
A Child Called ‘It’
By Dave Pelzer
Review by Ashley Murphy, 13, Lemont
Old Quarry Middle School
In all my years of reading books since I was little, I have never read a book like this one. “A Child Called ‘It’ ” is an inspiring and insightful story about Dave Pelzer as a kid, fighting his alcoholic mother to stay alive, but how his determination for survival never died. This child abuse case was reported as the second worst in California, and I was shocked at what I read. David goes from his early childhood to his beginning teenage years. During these years he had to fight what he called his mother’s “death games.” This book made me think of all the good things instead of all the bumps in the road in life. I realized how much people get in life, and how they don’t even think about how others get nothing. I love this book and everything about it. It makes me think of what a lucky life I have.
The Girl Death Left Behind
By Lurlene McDaniel
Review by Amanda Lassak, 12, Lemont
Old Quarry Middle School
Imagine your parents and siblings die in a car crash and you feel guilty about being the only one alive. You’re in Beth’s point of view right now. Beth is the main character in “A Girl Death Left Behind.” Beth is a nice person with a good personality. She is very devastated when her parents and siblings die (a little too much). The death and car crash was a big shocker in the story. It makes the book sad, emotional and mind-grabbing. It is very sad so keep a tissue handy.
The Truth About Forever
By Sarah Dessen
Review by Ellen Sutter, 13, Libertyville
Highland Middle School
Ever since her father died, Macy Queen has struggled to reach the unattainable state of perfection. To her, the only way to cope with her loss is to have complete control of her life. Then she meets the Wish Catering crew at one of her mother’s open house events. The crew is chaotic and disorganized — quite unlike Macy. On one stressful day, however, Macy suddenly desires a change from her monotonous life and begins a job with Wish. She quickly becomes close friends with the compassionate group of teenagers. Slowly, she learns to deal with her grief but is changed significantly from the perfectionist she tried to be.
The Doll People
By Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin
Ellie Britton, 10, Glenview
Glen Grove School
I give “The Doll People” 10 stars! This book shows how to be brave and take a big risk every once in a while. It shows to be kind to people and take them for who they are on the inside. Annabelle Doll, who is 8 years old, lives in a dollhouse owned by Kate Palmer. One day Annabelle was looking for something to read in the library when she saw a book she’d never seen before. The title was “My Journal.” It was one big book. It happened to be by her Aunt Sarah, who disappeared 45 years ago. Then one day the Dolls had some unexpected visitors called the Funcrafts. Annabelle becomes friends with one (Tiffany) and they set off to try to find Aunt Sarah. Will Annabelle and Tiffany find her?
Red Kayak
By Priscilla Cummings
Review by Lauren Krone, 13, Park Ridge
Emerson Middle School
“Was it my fault?” These are the words that grab you at the end of the very first sentence in “The Red Kayak.” The narrator, 13-year-old Brady, spins a mystery in the first three pages: a mystery of truth, justice, friendship, family and a cold April day. The DiAngelos have moved next door to Brady and his parents on the Chesapeake Bay. It is here, just off the bay, that tragedy hits. As Brady tries to cope with the tragedy, he discovers a secret. This secret tests Brady’s morals but, most of all, his heart.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
By Kate DiCamillo
Review by Mia Reyes, 8, Chicago
Blaine School
This book is about a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. His mistress is a 10-year-old girl named Abilene, who loses him on a boat trip. The story is about Edward’s journey to find her again. In the process of it he learns to love. He never appreciated Abilene. I love this book because of all of Edward’s adventures and all the emotions it made me feel. It also teaches us a valuable lesson: When someone is always there for you, you need to appreciate them.
Jane Eyre
By Charlotte Bronte
Review by Nicolette Bridgeforth, 14, Chicago
St. Angela School
Jane Eyre: orphan, governess, a real woman, the other woman. With both parents gone, Jane went to live with her Aunt and Uncle Reed. Jane lived the life of a happy child until her uncle died. Her aunt’s hate for her reached an all-time high, and she sent her to Lowood Institution. Jane, being well-educated, taught at Lowood, but she wanted to teach outside the institution. She advertised and was hired at Thornfield, where she met the love of her life. Lord Rochester, Jane’s boss, enjoyed pleasure but found that it had grave consequences. Someone stood in the way of Jane and Lord Rochester?s life together. Who is in the attic of Thornfield? How can Jane live such a miserable life? Why?
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
By Judy Blume
Review by Selena Basave, 11, Chicago
Falconer School
Do you like funny books? Well, this book is funny and good. There are two boys in this book and their names are Peter and Fudge. Their mom is having another baby and Peter doesn’t want a new brother or sister. He has a turtle named Dribble. I like this book because it is funny. It is about a boy who doesn’t like his brother; that’s me sometimes.
Call of the Wild
By Jack London
Review by Samantha Lariosa, 10, Morton Grove
Park View School
Buck is a large dog who lives in the peace and sanity of sun-kissed California until a greedy house server sells him to be a sled dog in the cold arctic of Alaska. Buck learns the law of club and fang, love for man, and how to take the inhumane treatment of men during his journey. But as he learns the way of survival, he feels a beast dawning inside him, a primitive beast that is answering the call of the wild. Jack London describes the characters in this story with powerful words. Sometimes his writing is hard to understand, although the actual book is excellent to read.
Crash
By Jerry Spinelli
Review by Evan Termolen, 11, Evanston
Baker Demonstration School
Crash Coogan is an amazing football player. Crash and his best friend, Mike, love to bully this really poor kid named Penn Webb. But when Mike takes one prank too far, Crash realizes Penn has something Crash might never have.
Where the Sidewalk Ends
By Shel Silverstein
Review by Taylor Williams, 9, Chicago
St. Angela School
“Where the Sidewalk Ends” is a book of all kinds of crazy poems. One is about a magical eraser that erased an invisible friend. The poem I liked the most was “Just Me, Just Me.” It was about a girl who thought she was all that. I love poems and I would love to be a poet.
Just For You to Know
By Cheryl Harness
Review by Brenna Littleson, 10, Geneva
Western Avenue School
Carmen Cathcart is your ordinary daydreaming and doodling 12-going-on-13-year-old girl. Except that she has five younger brothers she wishes were never born! When they move from Blue Top (a lonesome farm) to Independence, Mo., the troubles start. Carmen learns that her mom is going to have another baby and she flips out. Carmen and the Cathcarts experience tragedies and the ups and downs of life in this wonderful novel.
Charlotte’s Web
By E.B. White
Review by Korrey Shelton, 7, Chicago
St. Angela School
My favorite book is “Charlotte’s Web.” My 1st-grade teacher read us this book. I like Charlotte. She is a nice spider. Charlotte helps other animals. This book is cool!
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By C.S. Lewis
Review by David Medina, 11, Chicago
Monroe School
Follow four kids on an action-packed adventure. Travel to waterfalls, battlefields and giant ice castles. Survive blizzards, strange creatures, dangerous battles and the forces of Evil. Befriend a lion and other mythical creatures. Help fight Evil. Fight for Good. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is a tale of friendship, loyalty, bravery and battle. Enter the wardrobe! Save Narnia!
