Friday, November 20, 2009

Isis' Picks #1: Sharon Flake's Who am I Without Him?


Who am I Without Him?: Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives is a book about girls and their issues with boys. I believe that the best story in the book was "Hunting for Boys." It was about 10 church-going best friends. These girls could not date, look at, or even think about boys--let alone wear short and tight clothing. They knew that if they did any that the trouble was on! They did it anyway by getting on a bus and heading to a bad part of town to meet some "bad boys." What do you think happened to them? Did their parents find out? What were the "bad boys" really like? Who am I Without Him? will leave you wanting more, so read to see what happens next!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Orson Scott Card's Enchantment: A Review by Elsa!


Ivan discovers a magical clearing in the forest when he returns to his homeland in Russia. Inside this clearing, he finds a sleeping woman. They travel back in time, living out what Ivan believes might be the origin of all Russian fairytales. I liked this book because it is inventive and different. I recommend this book because it is exciting.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Isis' Book Reviews!

Tiger Reviews will now be featuring posts exclusively written by the Longfellow Library's very own Isis, an 8th grade student assistant from IWE (Independent Work Experience) program! Look for her reviews throughout the year by checking out the posts labeled with "Isis'_picks."

Here's a brief biography of Isis:

Hello, my name is Isis. I'm writing to give you a little info about myself to let you know the true me. I am a 13 year old girl who loves to dress to impress and write to spill my heart out. Also I love reading too. I mainly read drama books, but I have learned to widen my horizons and step out of my comfort zone and read books like: Dear Ellen Bee by Mary Lyons and Muriel Miller Branch, Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper, and Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice: A Review by Lana!

Pride and Prejudice is a tale of the five Bennet daughters, especially Elizabeth, trying to make good marriages. Then two young handsome rich men enter the picture: Mr Bingly and Mr. Darcy who fall in love with Elizabeth and Jane. Will love be enough to conquer social constraints, fortune, and pride? Even though the language of this book is sophisticated it never gets boring. It is a timeless classic and a story that won't let you go!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Banned Books Week: Celebrate Your Freedom to Read!



The American Library Association has declared the last week of September of each year as "Banned Books Week" or BBW which celebrates the freedom to read. Every year the Longfellow Library celebrates Banned Books Week by prominently displaying books that other communities have attempted to ban from schools and libraries. We encourage you to take a look at our display of "Banned" Books and learn about the importance of guarding intellectual freedom. According to the ALA website on BBW: "BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them."



If you suppress or silence the views of one person, then it makes it okay for someone else to silence the ideas and views you want to share! Check out this article and list of Banned Books for Young Adults and then check one out from the Longfellow Library. Tell us what your favorite banned book is and celebrate your freedom to read!


Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin: A Short Review by Jade!


Tom is an honest man who is the slave of a kind slave master who goes in debt and has to sell his favorite slaves, Uncle Tom and Harry. The mother of Harry overhears this, tells Tom and his wife, and together they run away. During their escape, Tom refuses to run away and is taken by the slave trader who purchased him. While Tom is separated from his wife and children he hopes someday he will return home to his family. I liked this book because of all the figurative language and all the beautifully developed characters. I recommend this book because it teaches you about the horrors of slavery and how it broke up and separated families.

Book Title & Author: Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Accelerated Reader level: 9.3
Accelerated Reader points: 32.0

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

George Orwell's 1984: A Review by Jenny!

In this story a guy lives in 1984. In this world there are three big countries and they have been at war for a long time. Also in this world, the government controls everyone to love the government. I liked this book because it made me think about how much freedom we truly have and how we take it for granted. You should read this book because it's insightful and it makes you think.


Book Title & Author: 1984 by George Orwell
Accelerated Reader level: 8.9
Accelerated Reader points: 17.0

Monday, February 9, 2009

Suzanne Fisher Staples' Shabanu and Haveli: A Short Review by Hina!


Shabanu is the second daughter in a family with no sons. She lives in Pakistan. She has been allowed freedom that is usually forbidden to a Muslim girl. Shabanu has to marry the 55 year-old-man, Rahim, but she tries to run away. I like this book because it is about a Muslim girl who has to marry an old man. You should read this book because it is kind of sad and realistic.

Book Title & Author: Shabanu by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Accelerated Reader level: 5.9
Accelerated Reader points: 9.0


*spoiler alert for Suzanne Fisher Staples' Haveli*



Shabanu is the youngest of Rahim's four wives. Shabanu has a five year old daughter, Mumtaz. Shabanu falls in love with Rahim's nephew, Omar. I like this book because it is an interesting story of a Muslim woman who becomes a fourth wife. This is very different from an American Muslim marriage! You should read this book because it tells about a teenage girl married who is married to an old man--a common tradition in other countries.

Book Title & Author: Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Accelerated Reader level: 6.7
Accelerated Reader points: 12.0


*spoiler alert for Suzanne Fisher Staples' The House of Djinn*

Shabanu's daughter, Mumtaz is now 15 years old. She has been brought up to believe that her mother is dead, but Shabanu has been living in a different home for ten years. Shabanu's sister-in-law and servant have been keeping this a secret from all the people. You should read this book because it is about a girl who believes that her mother is dead, but discovers the truth.

Book Title & Author: The House of Djinn by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Accelerated Reader level: 6.2
Accelerated Reader points: 8.0

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Judy Blume's Freckle Juice: A Review by Pema!


Second grader Andrew Marcus is jealous of his friend because he has freckles. When his classmate tells him that she has a recipe that can give him freckles too, Andrew pays her 50 cents for the information. Instead of getting freckles, he gets sick! I enjoyed reading Freckle Juice by Judy Blume because it was a quick, easy and interesting book. You should read this book and learn about why it's important to be happy with and thankful for what you have.

Book Title & Author: Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
Accelerated Reader level: 3.1
Accelerated Reader points: 0.5

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Dana Davidson's Jason and Kyra: A Review by Kiera!


This book is about the relationship between Jason and Kyra. Jason asks Kyra to the Homecoming dance. Kyra then overhears Lisa and her crew talking about how Lisa was "with him" a few weeks before! But then Jason and Kyra kiss for the very first time! I love this book because of how it takes place, how it's set up, and how the characters are so real. People should read this book because you'll end up not putting it down until you finish it!

Book Title & Author: Jason and Kyra by Dana Davidson
Accelerated Reader level: 4.7
Accelerated Reader points: 11.0

Friday, January 16, 2009

Jeanne DuPrau's The City of Ember: A Review by Shani!


Lina and Doon live in the City of Ember and they are twelve years old and have to choose a job. Their city is crumbling and Doon wants to save it. Poppy at first doesn't believe Doon, but when she does she tries her best to save the people of Ember. I like this book because you can really get into the story. You should read this book because it's really interesting and it shows us how important electricity is.

Book Title & Author: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Accelerated Reader level: 5.0
Accelerated Reader points: 9.0

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Wendy Lichtman's Do the Math: The Writing on the Wall: A Review by Refugio!


*SPOILER ALERT FOR Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra*

In Wendy Lichtman's first book, Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra, Tess tells on some of her classmates for cheating on a test. Now, these classmates are trying to get revenge. Also, someone wrote on the church wall and Tess thinks that these writings are meant for her to figure out the puzzle. This is a good book because it has lots of mystery. You should read this book because it shows how you can apply math to real life.

Book Title & Author: The Writing on the Wall by Wendy Lichtman
Accelerated Reader level: 5.7
Accelerated Reader points: 5.0

Donna Jo Napoli's Beast: A Short Review by Yasmeen


This book is a new take on the "Beauty and the Beast" story. This time, the story is told from the beast's perspective. The "Beast" is a Persian prince, and he runs away to France after he is cursed. There, he meets "Beauty," a girl named Belle.... I like this book because I am Iranian and there aren't enough books with Iranian heroes/heroines. You should read this book to experience other cultures and get a new take on a classic tale.

Book Title & Author: Beast by Donna Jo Napoli
Accelerated Reader level: 4.6
Accelerated Reader points: 8.0

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Lisi Harrison's The Clique: A Short Review by Samantha!


The Clique consists of Massie, Dylan, Alicia, and Kristen. Massie is the ruler of The Clique and the rest of the social scene at Octavian Country Day School, a private girls' school in Westchester, New York. When Claire arrives from Florida and is staying in the guest house on Massie's estate, Massie quickly realizes that she is not Clique material. She has to find a way to get Claire out, but with Claire's scheming, she might just one day fit in. I like this book because it tells the story of five girls my age that have to go through middle school in a very exciting way. Anyone that likes to read about girls, fashion, cliques, and middle school life would love this book.

Book Title & Author: The Clique by Lisi Harrison
Accelerated Reader level: 4.9
Accelerated Reader points: 7.0

Monday, January 12, 2009

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight: A Quick Review by Haila!


Twilight is about a girl who moves to Washington and falls in love with this boy who is hiding something from her. Does she find out what it is? I like this book because it's very adventurous and romantic. If you like books with action, then this is a good book to choose!

Book Title & Author: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Accelerated Reader level: 4.9
Accelerated Reader points: 18.0