Sarah Forbes Bonetta's At Her Majesty's Request: A Review by Julia!

At Her Majesty's Request is about a girl named Sarah who was born in Africa and who got captured by Dahomey's. A man who works for the queen of England takes her back to England and saved her. This book is very good because it is the biography of Sarah, Queen Victoria's adopted god-daughter. You should read this book because it is historical nonfiction and people will find it fascinating.

Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth: A Review by Rudy, edited by Ms. Hernandez!

Jeff Kinney's #1 saga, Diary of the Wimpy Kid has a new sequel to it! In the fifth book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth, Greg and his weirdly friend Rowley end their relationship at the beginning of the book. After their non-school party, Greg ends up with Rowley and no one else there. Could Greg have his relationship with Rowley back, or will this be the end of their friendship? I like this book because it has humor to it and a lot of funny miserable things happen. You should read it if you're a #1 Wimpy Kid fan. So check it out today here at the Longfellow Library!

Gabrielle Zevin's Elsewhere: A Review by Aniya!

A girl named Liz has just died and she awakes on a bed in a ship. The ship she is on a trip to a place called Elsewhere. Elsewhere has talking dogs and binoculars that let you see the living. I like this book because it slowly sucks you in, once you are sucked in you can't get out. You should read this book because it is about the living and rebirth.

Rick Riordan's The Last Olympian: A Review by Mohamed edited by Ms. Hernandez!

In the last book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series Percy, now 16 years old, has only one way to defeat Kronos. The plan that Nico gave him was to bathe in the River Styx. But also he could die if he could not hold it. This book takes place in New York. The gods can't help Percy and his friends because they are busy fighting the worst monster: the Typhon. I like this book because it is an adventure and there is violence. You should read this book if you like adventure and violence.

Melissa de la Cruz's Masquerade: a Blue Bloods Novel: A Review by Ke'yani!

Masquerade is about vampires. There are silver bloods who are now killing vampires and sucking out the life of them. Vampires are trying to find out about the silver bloods because they are starting to kill the young blue bloods. I like this book because it is scary and cool at the same time. I like scary stories. You should read this book because it is good and it seems real at the same time.

Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods: A Review by Ke'yani!

Blue Bloods is basically about vampires. There is a girl named Mimi in this book who you will find out about. She has these flashbacks about how she thinks she lived a life in the far past, before she was even born! I like this book because I'm into vampires and mystery books. You should read this book because it's not what you hear on a regular basis.

Lauren Barnholdt's The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney: A Review by Leah!

Devon Delaney is a girl in 7th grade that is very smart. When she meets a girl named Lexi, she tells Lexi about all these wonderful things about her life at school. Devon tells Lexi that she has a boyfriend and she is popular. All of these things aren't even true. Now that Lexi is going to Devon's school, will Devon have to tell Lexi the truth? I like this book because people can relate to it and it is really funny. I think girls are really going to like this book because it's funny and it teaches you to make good choices.

Lisi Harrison's Invasion of the Boy Snatchers: A Review by Nandi!

This book is about a girl named Massie Block and her friends (Dylan, Alicia, Kristen and Claire). Everything is going all good until Alicia's cousin Nina comes along and ruins it. Massie gets intimidated by Nina because she is always flirting with the boy who Massie wants her first kiss with (Derrington). Massie and Claire come up with "Operation Toejam" to get back at Nina. I like this book because it is very realistic and it relates to some people I know. People should read this book because it could relate to them too.

Diane Zahler's The Thirteenth Things: A Review by Clara Z.!

Zita is a servant girl and thinks she is an orphan. She does not know that the king is her father and the beautiful princesses are her sisters. But for some reason, everyone protects her. It takes eleven years for her to finally figure out that she is related to the princesses. But all of a sudden, her sisters falls mysteriously ill and it is up to Zita to save them. I liked this book because it shows that not all princesses have to be helpless and only have to marry and have kids. I think someone would really like this book because that everyone can work hard. I also think they should read the book if they like stories about magic and death.

Carolyn Mackler's The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things: A Review by Julia!

The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things is about a girl named Virginia Shreves who has a "larger than average body." Her mom is a successful adolescent psychologist. For Virginia, one single phone call ruins everything. I like this book because it is humorous and you can relate to it. You should read this book because it is hilarious to read about Virginia and her adventures.

Mike Lupica's The Million Dollar Throw: A Review by Michael edited by Ms. Hernandez!

Nate Brodie is 13 and is a really good football player. But life gets rough when his parents' house is being taken by the government and his friend Abby has an eye disease that will one day cause her to go blind. One day he is given the chance to to throw a football and might win a million dollars. Most importantly, if he does win, what will he buy? Will all that money make things better? I like this book because it has a lot of drama and makes you appreciate hard work and life! You should read this book because it makes you love what you have and it makes you think about what it means to be a real TRUE FRIEND.

Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: A Review by Rudy!

This is the first book of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. When Percy finds out he is a demigod, Grover brings him to a camp called Camp Half-Blood. He also meets other people like him. But then, Zeus is mad since somebody stole his lightning bolt. Who is it? Find out as they lead to a new adventure. This book was great since it's also a major motion picture. First, read the book and see the movie (for those of you who have not seen it yet) and see what's the difference!

Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse: A Review by Rudy!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse is the third book in the phenomenal series. In this case, Grover warns Percy that two unknown half-bloods could be in danger; Percy, Annabeth and Thalia are on their way. Then, after their capture-the-flag game, they are offered to go on a quest by the Oracle to find the goddess of the hunt and...somebody else. This book is great because you get to know other people. You should read this book because it is perfect for 4.0 readers. People should read this book if you love fantasy, adventure and mythology.

R. L. Stine's Beach House: A Review by Aniya!

A strange kid arrives in town. After he arrives murders begin to occur among a group of friends. First it is Maria. Who will be the first to go? Who is this strange person? You have to read to find out! I like this book because it is very surprising, you don't know what will happen next. This is a great book. If you like R. L. Stine you will love this book.

Roald Dahl's BFG: A Review by Tyler!

The giant pulls a little girl out of her bed. Then he takes her to where he lives. After, they become best friends. I like this book because it is about huge giants who are friends with humans. You should read this book because it is really interesting and it tells you different things about giants.

Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark: A Review by Aniya!

This book is filled to the brim with scary stories. It is okay if you read this in the morning, but if you want the true effect of this book wait till midnight when all the haunts and ghouls come out. I like this book because it is straight up scary. It will give anyone a good scare. You should read this book because it is just fun to read.

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Thanks for the review Aniya! Unfortunately, we do not have a copy of this book at the Longfellow Library, but we do have a copy of More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark also by Alvin Schwartz.

Lisi Harrison's It's Not Easy Being Mean: A Review by Aniya!

Skye Hamilton is doing a contest to see who can find a key. But not only do you find a key, it unlocks a school paradise. Also, whoever find the key becomes the next 8th grade alpha. I like this book because it is short, but full of excitement. You should read this book because once you start it is hard to stop.

Andy Griffiths' The Day My Butt Went Psycho: A Review by Aniya!

A boy named Zack has lost his butt many times but this is the worst. Zack's butt is planning to take over the human race and put butts where your head is. Now Zack has to stop his butt before it is too late. Will Zack be able to stop his butt? You have to read to find out. I like this book because it is really funny. This is the most funny book I have ever read in my life. If you like comedy you will love this book.

Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters: A Review by Rodolfo "Rudy"!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters is the second in the series of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. When Percy has strange dreams about his satyr friend, Grover, (from The Lightning Thief), Percy and his friend Annabeth are off on a quest to the Sea of Monsters to get the Golden Fleece and to save Thalia's pine tree since something occurred in it. Also, Percy figures out that his friend Tyson is something that demigods and gods do not like. I like this book because it has a lot of action and adventure and some mythology. It is worth 9.0 points. You should read this book after first reading The Lightning Thief.

Lisi Harrison's The Pretty Committee Strikes Back: A Review by Ke'yani edited by Ms. Hernandez!

The Pretty Committee Strikes Back is about how Massie, Dylan, Alicia and Claire go on a $1,500 trip to Lake Placid so they could they experience being in the wild. Massie finally kisses her crush, Derrington, and Claire tries to get back with Cam. I like this book because there are some shocking things that happen in this story. Also I like that it's a book with AR points. You should read this book because it's about a group of girls who get in trouble and have at the same time. They take their punishments right and sometimes, they try to change for the better.

Andy Griffith's Just Joking: A Review by Michael!

Andy is always playing pranks and jokes on people. Then he gets caught in a situation and doesn't know how to get out of it. Later on it's like somehow someone above gives him a special gift and he gets out of his lies and trouble. I like this book because it's very comprehensible to people who just want a quick laugh here and there. People should read this book because I KNOW that it will be a book NO ONE will be able to forget.

Lisi Harrison's Dial L for Loser: A Review by Aniya!

Massie, Alicia, and Claire get invited to Hollywood to try out for a leading role in a movie. But all turns bad when Claire gets the part. Now Claire has to be gone for three weeks. What will happen to Claire's boyfriend, Cam Fisher?! I like this book because it is action-packed. You should read this book because it is quite wonderful.

Liz Kessler's Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist: A Review by Aniya!

During a class project, Emily finds a diamond ring. She must then find King Neptune's once true love who shared the ring. She must also choose one parent. I like this book because it concludes the series well. You should read this book because if you have read the other books you should read this one as well.

Lisi Harrison's Invasion of the Boy Snatchers: A Review by Ke'yani!

Invasion of the Boy Snatchers is about how Alicia's cousin, Nina, came from Spain to visit. Nina said that she put a curse on Alicia and her friends, saying that they could not talk to their girlfriends or friends. I like this book because I think it is cool. I also like it because it is realistic fiction. You should read this book because it is good and interesting.

Celeste Norfleet's Fast Forward: A Review by Zaeriyon!

Kenisha's mom and dad got a divorce and her mom died. Her dad has moved on and has two boys with a girlfriend, with a girl on the way. This story follows Kenisha as she goes to a public school after being kicked out of her private school named Hazelhurst. I like this book because it is an interesting story that people would enjoy. You should read this book because it is an enjoyable story.

Lisi Harrison's The Pretty Committee Strikes Back: A Review by Aniya!

Massie and the crew go on a camping trip with the school. Dylan walks in and finds her mom kissing her teacher! Ew. Also Massie creates a club called M.U.C.K. I like this book because it is the most exciting book in the Clique series so far. You should read this book because once you start reading it you can't stop!

Liz Kessler's Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep: A Review by Aniya!

In this second book, Emily and her friend Shona explore and wake up a monster from the deep. Now Emily and Shona have to stop it. Emily starts to find out the true identity of the monster that she awoke. I like this book because it is full of suspense. You never know what will happen next. You should read this book because if you liked the first book you will love this one.

Lisi Harrison's Kristen: A Clique Novel: A Review by Keyani, edited by Ms. Hernandez!

Kristen has to spend her entire summer vacation at summer school. She likes a boy named Dune who has a little sister named Ripple. She is a very nice girl. Kristen becomes Ripple's babysitter. Kristen has a lot of adventures in the book like when she falls in a pool with jello. I like this book because Kristen is herself and she doesn't try to act like other people. You should read this book because it is one of those books that are not just good, but excellent!

Liz Kesslers The Tail of Emily Windsnap: A Review by Aniya!

This book is about a twelve-year-old girl named Emily Windsnap who finds out she is a mermaid. This book tells about all her adventures. She also gets to meet a mergirl and they become friends. I like this book because it will sweep you away to another world. If you like mermaids you will love this book. It is full of adventure and it is a good book.

Lisi Harrison's Dylan: A Clique Novel: A Review by Keyani

Dylan likes this boy named J.T. But she doesn't know that he is doing things behind her back. Svetlana is her enemy and Dylan recorded her hitting and throwing candles at her. Dylan doesn't know but J.T. is not on her side. I like this book because it really seems like real life and it is not that long. It is a good book for people who read in the middle. You should read this book because it is interesting and it doesn't have any bad things in it.

Lisi Harrison's Alicia: A Clique Novel: A Review by Keyani, edited by Ms. Hernandez!

Alicia is spending her summer in Spain with her family. She wants to meet a boy named ¡Ignacio!, who is the hottest pop singer in Spain. ¡Ignacio! wants a true Spanish beauty to star in his video. But how can Alicia prove she is worthy when she knocked down a statue and has to work as a towel girl to pay for it? I like this book because it is very interesting and makes me want to hurry up and read the next part to see what is going to happen next. You should read this book because it's good for your vocabulary and it's not like a "baby" book. It is short, easy, and fun!

Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days: A Review by Ashe!

Greg and Rowley had to pay a bill for drinking a lot of smoothies. Greg and Rowley started a lawn service to raise money to pay for the bill. Rowley quit because Greg was not going to do any of the work. Greg's checks were taken by his mom to pay for the bill. I like this book because the book has its own funny sense of humor and it has funny pictures. People should read this book for an easy AR test after they worked on other books.

Walter Dean Myer's At Her Majesty's Request: A Review by Ms. Lane!

Who would ever have thought the queen of England had an African goddaughter? It’s true. African princess, Sarah, at age 5 survived the slaughter of her parents and her village by a Dahoman tribe. Sarah was spared and taken into captivity for human sacrifice in the bloody Dahoman ritual known as “watering the graves.” The Dahomans believed to honor their ancestors they must kill their captured and spread the blood of their victims over the graves of their ancestors. The markings on Sarah’s face indicated she was of royal blood and Sarah’s royal blood would please the Dahoman ancestors. Sarah was rescued from this ritual by a British captain, Commander Forbes, who convinced the Dahoman king that the England’s queen would not respect a king who killed a child. As a result Sarah was given as a present to Queen Victoria by the Dahoman king. When Captain Forbes returned to England with the child the queen sent for little Sarah and was so impressed with Sarah’s intelligence and personality she took the child under her protection and oversaw her upbringing, education and even Sarah’s marriage. Sarah lived a privileged life in London. She married, returned to Africa with her husband and taught school there. The queen continued to provide an annuity for Sarah and for Sarah’s daughter, Victoria, after Sarah’s death. Young Victoria was a regular a visitor to the Queen Victoria. When the queen died young Victoria was one of her last visitors. This is an enthralling nonfiction story is based on true events discovered in a stack of letters found in an old antique store in London.

Ellen Howard'sThe Crimson Cap: A Review by Ms. Lane!

The crimson cap belonged to Pierre’s father and now it was his. Pierre did not want to leave his mother, sister and younger brothers behind but he was the oldest boy, and he was responsible for them now that his father was gone. Even if he was only 10 years old he had to try and find help for his family and the people at the French settlement. Pierre and the men encounter hunger, pain and illness as the ill-fated expedition unravels. Most of the men kill each other and Pierre ends up living with an Indian family. They nurse Pierre back to health. He learns their language and customs, to hunt, to swim and to live like they do. Will Pierre ever make it back to the settlement and his family? This gripping story is based on the real Pierre Talon and true events in history of America.

M.T. Anderson'sThe Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Volume II. Kingdom of the Waves: A Review by Ms. Lane!

The riveting saga of Octavian Nothing continues with his escape along with Dr. Trefusis, a compassionate tutor, to British controlled Boston, Octavian joins the Royal Ethiopian regiment in exchange for the promise of freedom. Octavian hears and records the stories of his fellow Africans and escaped slaves. The Royal Regiment is destroyed by smallpox and Octavian experiences first hand the injustice of their military service, evil and hatred. He learns what it is like to kill someone in the fight for emancipation and the struggle for liberty that ironically will exclude Octavian and slaves like him.

Welcome Back Tigers! And a Review from Ms. Lane!

Happy Back-to-School Tigers! Ms. Lane and I are revving up to make it an awesome year with new books, programs, and activities. Need a good book to read? Check here often for new book reviews from your fellow Tigers! If you have a book you would like to review and post on Tiger Reviews, see Ms. Lane or me, Ms. Hernandez, for a Tiger Reviews form. After you have filled it out and submitted it to us, we will reward you with a Tiger Ticket!

Ms. Lane and I spent our summer vacation relaxing and enjoying some great books. The following is Ms. Lane's Tiger Review of M.T. Anderson's The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: The Pox Party.


Diaries and letters recount this remarkable story, a National Book Award winner, in revolutionary America of Octavian Nothing, a young African prince who is a zoological experiment conducted by the Novanglian College of Lucidity, a group of Boston radical intellectuals. They want to determine if the African mind can absorb what the European mind can. The boy, Octavian, and his mother are treated as royalty but kept isolated from the rest of the world. Octavian received an excellent classical European education. However, his entire life is observed and recorded. They measure how much food he takes in and how much outtake there is. The situation takes a turn when, at age seven, Octavian discovers he is part of a scientific experiment and the reason for the close scrutiny he has lived under. Another turn of events occurs when the Novelangian College hosts a pox party, an attempt to improve the small pox vaccine, where the guests are inoculated with the disease. The attempt fails miserably. Octavian’s mother dies of the disease and in his grief he escapes. He meets other runaway slaves and realizes the reality of his bizarre life. The story is told is eighteenth century prose and describes the struggle for freedom, the goal of his Patriot captors, while defining the horrors of slavery along with the hypocrisy of the nation’s quest for liberty.

Cuca's Choices #2: Lene Kaaberbol's The Shamer's Daughter

The Shamer's Daughter is the first book in the Shamer's Chronicles. There are four books in total, even though I have not read them all this book was one of my favorites. This series is about a girl named Dina. Her mother is a shamer and Dina is also becoming one. The shamer's eye is that if a shamer looks in the eyes they can know your deepest and darkest secrets. When Dina's mom is sentenced against her will to find out what happened in a triple murder, Dina must learn to control her shamer eye in order to save her mother. There is adventure and mystery in this book. Will Dina rescue her mom? Will everything go back to normal?

Cuca's Choices #1: Victor Villaseñor's Rain of Gold

This book tells the true story of two Mexican Americans named Lupe Gomez and Juan Salvador. Lupe grows up in La Lluvia de Oro, which means "Rain of Gold," in Mexico. Juan grows up in a different part of Mexico called Jalisco. During the beginning of the book it shows how Lupe is surrounded by all the American men who work in a mine that is very near to their home. She has never wanted to marry any white man because she has seen if you marry a white man they just get a Mexican girl pregnant then go back to America and are never seen or heard from again. As Lupe grows up she realizes that the only way to survive is to get married and have children. Juan is also growing up but his family is moving to the United States to live a better life. This is the time when the revolution is happening in Mexico. Lupe's family also decides to move to the United States to escape the war. Juan and hi family have a hard time crossing the border because they have no money to get across. One day Juan sees his mother begging for food on the streets, which reduces him to crying. But later on, Lupe and Juan both get across the border and into America. Will Lupe and Juan ever meet? What will they think of each other when they do? Believe me, this is one of the best books I have ever read. There is drama, romance, comedy, but also truth.

Cuca's Book Reviews!

Tiger Reviews proudly presents Cuca's Choices, book reviews written by our very own Cuca! Like Isis, Cuca is an 8th grade student assistant from the IWE (Independent Work Experience) program! Look for her reviews throughout the year by checking out the posts labeled with Cuca's Choices.

Here's more about Cuca:

To start out, my name is Cuca. I am an 8th grader here at Longfellow Middle School. If you ask my brother, sister or any of my friends they will tell you that I love to read. I read mostly fiction, but one book that I really enjoyed reading this year was Rain of Gold. I have learned from this book and other like it that non-fiction can also be exciting. I love to recommend books to anyone who says they need a book to read, even if it's not fiction. Reading is something that can help you in the future believe me--so read!

Isis' Picks #2: Nikki Grimes's The Road to Paris

Nikki Grimes's Road to Paris is about a young girl named Paris and her little brother who live in the world of foster care, which in anyone's case isn't quite exciting since you travel from family to family. When Paris goes to live with the Lincolns, she is unfortunately separated from her brother. What will happen to Paris in the Lincoln home? Will it be just another family or something more? Will Paris find her brother? How are the Lincolns going to feel when Paris shows who she really is?

Tiffany Trent's The Serpent's Coils: A Review by Bella!

This epic tale is about love, loss, betrayal and fairies. Corrine is shipped away to a boarding school named Falston, where strange things have been happening. Who is the man with the blood-covered hand? What does the Fey Prince want? This book was thrilling, strange, and enticing! A nice refreshment after a boring day. You will positively love it.

Shannon Hale's Goose Girl: A Review by Clara M.!

Princess Anidori travels to Bayern to marry a prince. Her mother arranged this marriage without telling her. Along the way, she is betrayed by her friends. Can she survive? This book is a good read for many reasons. Goose Girl is scary, funny, and mysterious. I would recommend this book to others because it makes a great picture in your mind of a very unique story.

Sharon Draper's Romiette and Julio: A Review by Amanda!

Romiette and Julio meet in a chat room and they find out they go to the same school. Their parents don't want them together because of of their difference in race, and a gang wants to separate them. The gang gets tired of Romiette and Julio not listening to their warnings, so they do something bad that will make them listen. I couldn't stop reading this book because it was so good that something important was happening each minute. You should read this book because if you like suspense and romance you are going to love it.