Reader Views

The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas!

“The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas!” by Sally Lloyd-Jones is a book packed with advice for children on how to “take care of” their grandparents.  For instance, “When you have a grandma or a grandpa, you need to always play with them.  And sometimes let them win.”  The book ends by telling you that the most important things to do with your grandma and grandpa are to kiss, hug and love them because that is what they like the most!

Cayden:  “Look!  That guy is pretending to be a monster!”
Max:  “Roar!!!”

Cayden:  “And you don’t just hold hands when crossing the street you also look both ways to make sure that there are not any cars coming.”

Cayden:  “That grandma is playing football!”

Cayden:  “I like to play games with grandma and grandpa too!”

Max:  “Read!”
Cayden:  “Grandma reads to us when she comes to our house too.”

Cayden:  “My favorite part was when they were building sand castles because that is a lot of fun!”
Max:  “Play!  Dirt!”

Cayden:  “That book was funny!”
Max:  “Funny!!”

Parent’s comments: 

“The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas!” by Sally Lloyd-Jones is a humorous look at how to do a good job being a grandchild.  My children thought the book was very funny and laughed out loud at quite a few of the illustrations.  This book would be the perfect one to send along on an outing to grandma and grandpa’s house as I think that the grandparents would enjoy it as much as the grandchildren!

The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas!
Sally Lloyd-Jones        
HarperCollins Children’s Books (2008)
ISBN 9780060756871
Reviewed by Cayden (age 4) and Max (age 2) Aures and Mom for Reader Views (6/08)

Teddy’s Travels: America’s National Parks

Come along and explore America’s national parks! Your host throughout this tour of parks is none other than Tedrick de Bear. You know him better as your teddy Bear. Yes, it’s that cute stuffed animal that is every body’s best friend. Together with his best friend Tony, Ted Bear travels around the country to national parks, monuments and historic sites.

“Teddy's Travels” is a travel book for kids. Who wants to read all that adult-oriented information about the park, we want to know the stuff that kids would be interested in. With this book, you get enough information to spark your interest in the many parks, but you’re not on brain overload either. This book even gives you places in the book where you can use it like a scrapbook and collect stamps from the different parks. So you can keep track of where you have been and where you want to go next.

I’m a kid who loves to travel and see different things. When reading “Teddy Travels,” I felt that the book was written for someone just like me. Tedrick’s teasers give you questions to test your knowledge and have fun too. The pictures of Teddy in the different sites make you feel like you are right there along with him. And who wouldn’t want to travel with their favorite bear? “Teddy’s Travels: America’s National Parks” is one book for the kid who loves to travel that you can’t BEAR to be without in your collection!

Teddy’s Travels: America’s National Parks
Trefoni Michael Rizzi
TdB Press (2006)
ISBN 9780974049403
Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (6/08)

Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island #6: Sea Shadow

“Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island #6: Sea Shadow” is a wonderful book about a 13-year-old girl named Darby Leilani Kealoha Carter and her half-wild mustang named Hoku (which means star in Hawaiian), who live on the island of Moku Lio Hihiu with Darby’s Grandpa. When earthquakes start shaking the island everything changes. When one creates a tsunami just off the coast the wild horses of the island are in trouble. After getting stranded on a dangerous hilltop, it’s up to Darby and her friends to save the herd. But, after the lead mare, Medusa, is injured she refuses to go a shore.

Will Darby and her friends be able to save Medusa? You’ll have to read “Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island #6: Sea Shadow” to find out.  Terri Farley did an excellent job on “Phantom Stallion #6.” I have read many of her books before and I thought it was interesting how she incorporates characters from her previous books into “Phantom Stallion #6.” It isn’t even hard for a reader to understand the words she writes in Hawaiian because; she has an index in the back that tells you what they mean.

I would say “Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island #6: Sea Shadow” By Terri Farley is a book for any reader, especially anyone who loves horses.  I loved this book and hope to be able to read more in the series of “Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island.”

Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island #6: Sea Shadow
Terri Farley
HarperTrophy (2008)
ISBN 9780060886196
Reviewed by Mary Johnson (age 15) for Reader Views (6/08)

The Achievers: Great Women in the Biological Sciences

“The Achievers: Great Women in the Biological Sciences” by Erica Stux is a great book. It is wonderfully interesting, informative, and inspiring. With amazing stories of women that plainly inspire, I think every girl will be encouraged to look further into biology and to know they aren’t just shadows in the background of science.

Author Erica Stux chose exciting stories to share and uses simple, yet interesting, language that makes the book a pleasure to read.  Every chapter begins with a paragraph that introduces the reader to one great woman biologist--in this paragraph, the author offers a few morsels of information about the biologist’ life and discoveries that caught my attention and made me eager for more.  I wasn’t disappointed when the author launched into the story of where and when the woman was born, her life’s discoveries, and the end of her life. This setup always keeps me excited to read the next chapter.  The author uses exciting description to explain the details of each woman’s history.  Why, you could almost believe she had actually known all these great women personally.

I really learned about these women.  The stories are so informative that someone might mention one of these biologists in an offhand tone, and I’ll blurt out a fact (or 20!) about her. My favorite scientist that I learned about in this book was Gerty Cori.  She was a European biologist that moved to the USA and figured out how the human body stores sugar and uses it for energy.  Since the author went into such detail about the experiments that led to her discovery, I felt like I really understood the science behind it.  This book kept my interest running and really stretched my knowledge. 

“The Achievers: Great Women in the Biological Sciences” encourages girls and women to know they can do things and they don’t have to leave it all to the men. It’s very inspiring.  In fact, after reading this, I am excited to start studying biology more carefully, and I would like to read other books on this subject. I bet lots of other girls will be inspired too. I want to begin spreading the word about it to my friends, and even to their moms and mine. It’ so encouraging; I am really and truly considering beginning a career studying biology.
           
“The Achievers: Great Women in the Biological Sciences” by Erica Stux is a very good book. With its inspiration, spirit, and excitement, this book kept me turning its pages and yearning for more.

The Achievers: Great Women in the Biological Sciences
Erica Stux
Avisson Press (2005)
ISBN 9781888105704
Reviewed by Avery Largent (age 9) for Reader Views (6/08)

Perfect Girl

When I received the book “Perfect Girl,” I was dismayed. How can anyone fit an entire book in only 196 pages? At first, I was afraid to start the book, thinking that I will hate it for being so short. After realizing what I was thinking, however, I smacked myself in the head. I am a bookworm and that means reading anything that I can get my hands on, I thought to myself. After that revelation, I decided to start the book.

Reading the first chapter made me realize that this is just the kind of book that I like to read. It was about a girl, one who is normal and knows it, named Rosie. Things change for her when the new girl, Jenna Wilson, who seems perfect and is instantly liked and admired by all people, including Rosie’s somewhat best friend, and right now crush, Perry. Rosie has to get Perry to notice her as someone more than just a friend before the new girl sinks her claws into him.  

I feel like this book will be a good read for any girl who has had a crush on one of her friends, even if it was only momentarily. This book also shows you that family is always going to be there for you, through your mistakes and mishaps, the ups and the downs, and the lives and deaths of those around you. Another thing that is being posed in this book is the importance of forgiveness and finding your true self among the rubble of your old self when it has fallen.

In my mind, I had pictured many different endings for this book. I thought that all of mine were amazing, until I read the end of it. Then I found out that mine were not nearly as good as the ending that Mary Hogan gave her book. It was unexpected yet totally amazing. I felt like it was the only true way to end the book without making the reader feel like they had been cheated and wanting another book to answer all of their questions.

All said and done, I think that “Perfect Girl” should be read by everyone!

Perfect Girl
Mary Hogan
HarperTeen (2008)
ISBN 9780060841102
Reviewed by Avni Gupta (age 15) for Reader Views (6/08)

Amazing Rubber Band Cars: Easy-to-Build Wind-Up Racers, Models, and Toys

“Amazing Rubber Band Cars” is a really amazing book.  It tells all about how to make cars from rubber bands, cardboard and other simple supplies.  I am building one of these cars right now and the instructions are very easy-to-follow.  Each car in the book is a little harder than the one before it.  If you start with the first car, you can work your way through the book and learn more and more skills. 

This book has easy directions and pictures to help. You can compare the picture in the book to your own progress to see if you are doing it right.  There are templates that you have to copy in order to make the cars. If you do not have a copier at home, make sure to stop by your library after buying this book to make copies, this way you can start building your car right away.

I really like this book. “Amazing Rubber Band Cars” gives me lots of ideas and is a fun activity to do with my dad on a weekend together.

Amazing Rubber Band Cars
Mike Rigsby
Chicago Review Press (2007)
ISBN 9781556527364
Reviewed by Matthew Feliciano (age 8) for Reader Views (6/08)

Rotten School: The Big Blueberry Barf-Off

“Rotten School: The Big Blueberry Barf-Off” is about a kid named Bernie Bridges.  He goes to Rotten School and he rules the school.  He convinces the teachers and workers to do all sorts of things. He even convinced the school chef that Milky Way bars are a vegetable.  The only person he can’t rule is Sherman Oaks.  Sherman has one thing that Bernie wants: a super cool watch that has 42 functions on it including telling time and making popcorn. 

Bernie challenges Sherman to a pie-eating contest. If Sherman wins, Bernie has to carry him to classes on his back.  If Bernie wins, Sherman gives him his watch.  Bernie has a plan to win.  He puts Beast in the contest.  Beast eats lots and lots of things so he should be able to win with no problem.  Before the contest, Sherman bet Beast that he could eat 50 hamburgers.  Beast won the bet by eating 54 burgers but now he was too full for the pie eating contest.  So Bernie said that he would buy Beast two Snickers bars if he ate the pie.  (Beast loved Snickers bars).  The contest was still on.

Beast won the contest but then they got caught by Ms. Monella.  She walked in and asked who was responsible.  Sherman put all the blame on Bernie.  As Ms. Monella was yelling at Bernie, everybody started barfing up the blueberry pie.  They all got in trouble for eating the pies and had to clean up the classroom.

I liked “The Big Blueberry Barf-Off” a lot!! It was funny and full of gross things.  I can’t wait to read the rest of the “Rotten School” series.

Rotten School: The Big Blueberry Barf-Off
R.L. Stine
Parachute Press (2008)
ISBN 9780060785888
Reviewed by Matthew Feliciano (age 8) for Reader Views (6/08)

Safe Dieting for Teens

In a world of fad diets, super thin people, and obesity, it’s hard to feel good about your body.  For some people, it’s even harder to find the weight that suits them best.  In this book, the author stresses the importance of losing weight to please yourself instead of the people around you, educates readers about proper nutrition, and shows the importance of exercise.  She addresses the problems with fad diets and eating disorders, as well as why it’s harder for females to lose weight then it is for males.  

This book would be very helpful for teens looking for the correct and healthy way to lose weight and keep it off.  With the exercise and nutrition advice, it’s not difficult to find a way to do it.  There are many helpful suggestions throughout the book to keep you motivated and thinking realistically.  Many teens, who are struggling with their weight, will be sure to find the correct way to lose weight, or just become healthier with this book.  

I thought that many of the suggestions in “Safe Dieting for Teens” seemed like things that the average teen would be able to do.  It gave very simple suggestions on many different topics.  I would recommend this book to any teen looking for a solution to their weight problems.  Patience is definitely needed to get through this book, since it’s not quite the action-packed book that you’d expect from a topic like this.  I believe that anyone who’s dedicated to losing weight the correct way will find this book completely helpful and will find their perfect way to lose all their weight. 

Safe Dieting for Teens
Linda Ojeda
Hunter House (2007)
ISBN 9780897935029
Reviewed by Hillary Krajewski (age 15) for Reader Views (6/08)

Audrey, Wait!

Audrey Cuttler is just a normal teenage girl.  She has two parents, a best friend, an overweight cat, and a boyfriend named Evan, who’s in a band.  Oh, wait.  Make that an ex-boyfriend.  When Audrey breaks up with him on the day of his concert, Evan writes a song about the breakup named Audrey, Wait!, to show her how he feels.  But who would’ve expected it to become so well known?  And when Audrey, Evan, and his band “The Do Gooders,” all get famous, things get really crazy.  

Now, as Evan’s traveling the world and endorsing his new song, Audrey’s stuck at home being stalked by paparazzi, as well as everyone who owns a camera phone.  All she wants to do is live a normal life but she learns that that’s becoming harder and harder to do.  She can’t go to work, school, or anywhere without being gawked at or having pictures taken of her.  Will she find a way to deal with it?  Because the way things are going, the attention doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon.  
                                   
I thought that the book was absolutely wonderful.  It had an engaging plot and a lot of action.  The book was never boring and it was nearly impossible to put down.  I think that teens, ages fifteen through eighteen-years will find this book very entertaining, especially if they’re into music.  There was a pretty liberal use of swearing throughout the book, but a mature reader would be able to handle it.  I loved that at the beginning of each chapter there was a quote from a song that tied in with the chapter.  I thought that it really added to the musical aspect of the book.  I would recommend this book to anyone who loves music.  “Audrey, Wait” is a fantastic book written by a great new author.  Robin Benway is a fabulous writer and I will be sure to check out any of her upcoming books. 

Audrey, Wait
Robin Benway
Razorbill (2008)
ISBN 9781595141910
Reviewed by Hillary Krajewski (age 15) for Reader Views (6/08)

The Black Cloud of Kandar

In “The Black Cloud of Kandar,” Brian wonders why he was picked to rescue the prince. I mean, after all, he is just a cobbler, right? Wrong! Through a great and perilous adventure, Brian learns that he’s much more than a common cobbler; he’s a hero!  While saving kingdoms and rescuing princes, Brian will overcome his challenges. Or will he? With an evil sorcerer that controls a kingdom, Brian will have to have a lot of help to win this one!

“The Black Cloud of Kandar” is a brilliant book. This book contains a great adventure, ongoing suspense, and kid-friendly action - all in just 90 pages!  There was no gore or any kind of inappropriate content. The younger the reader the more this book will be liked, but this book will be liked by anybody 12 and under. I was very interested in learning what would happen at the end of this book. I couldn’t put it down because I was so gripped by the thrilling story.  There’s no reason not to read this adventure. Both boys and girls will like this book equally, though most of the main characters are boys. The writing was really good at making me want more. This is the kind of book that is perfect for young story-loving kids.

My favorite part of “The Black Cloud of Kandar” was an epic battle that decides the end of this book.

The Black Cloud of Kandar
Papadave Barry (David Barry)
CreateSpace (2007)
ISBN 9781434823014
Reviewed by Dylan James (age 11) for Reader Views (6/08)