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

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

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

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

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

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