Kirsten Saves the Day by Janet Shaw / Rating: 4
2nd grader Ria says:"This is another in the
American Girls Short Stories series about Kirsten Larson, a
nine-year-old girl from Sweden, whose family has moved to frontier
Minnesota of 1854. Kirsten's first Fourth of July is coming up, and her
family will be going into town. There are many things they need, and
everyone hopes that they can raise enough money to buy them. A miracle
seems to beacon to Kirsten when she discovers a bee tree brimming with
sweet (and valuable) honey. When she decides that she need not inform
her parents, that she and her little brother can collect the honey, she
learns a valuable and potentially fatal lesson.
Janet Shaw produces a wonderfully entertaining story, with a valuable
lesson. Such wonderful story, with excellent illustrations! This is an
excellent book."
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My Brother Sam is Dead By: James and
Christopher Collier
5th grader David says:
If you were in a Tory family and your brother was a patriot, what side
would you be on? This is the decision young Tim Meeker is forced to make
when the Revolutionary War is pulling his family apart.
This historical fiction book is one of the best books I have ever read.
In this story, young Tim Meeker admires his brother Sam very fondly...
until he joins the Continentals. Tim lives in a Tory family, and no one
was very delighted about fighting the king. One night, Sam appears in
the doorway wearing a continental uniform. Everyone is very happy to see
him until he says," We have beat the British in Massachusetts." Father
says," Who has beaten the British in Massachusetts?" This is when the
fighting begins. To find out more, you'll just have to read the story.
One of the strengths of this book is that it is a page turner. I
couldn't even put the book down. My friends had to tell me to stop.
However, one of the weaknesses of this book is that it has difficult
vocabulary. For example, this book has words like "garrison" and
"militia". Another strength is that this book is extremely interesting.
In one part, Father and Tim run into cowboys and have a bit of a
showdown.
I would recommend this book to others because this book is very
interesting and at the same time it teaches you a lot about the
Revolutionary War. This book is a great read because it is a
cliffhanger. For example, at the end of one chapter, you find out that
Sam is coming back but he doesn't come back. Another reason this book is
a great read is that you can't stop reading once you start. This book
was so good, I finished it in 2 days! I hope enjoy reading this fabulous
book!
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House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder 3rd grader Morgan says, "This series is about a family who lives on the
prairie and has good adventures. It is from long ago." |
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A Gathering of Days by Joan W. Blos
5th grader Demi says, "I am recommending the book
A Gathering of Days because it caught me! It catches the readers attention! The
book is about a girl who lives in a different time. The girl's father got remarried
because his first wife died. The girl's name is Catherine. Her Aunt Lucy is getting
married too. Catherine's best friend has died too, Cessie. It was such a tragedy for her.
There was a poor man who always scared her when she went to school. Catherine left a quilt
ant journal on a rock one day. He took the quilt. When she came back, in her journal he
wrote, "Please take pity. I am cold." That made her even more scared." |
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Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
4th grader Allison says, "This book is about a
time in Poland when German Nazi soldiers occupied Poland. A group of children transports
gold to a cave under the Nazi's watching eyes. It is well written and has funny and sad
parts. it has a sad but good ending." |
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Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
5th grader Jamie
says, "The book Number the Stars is about two best friends. One of them is a
Jew and the Nazi soldiers are out to kill her and her family. This book has a whole lot of
action and you learn a lot by reading this book." |
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The Devils Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
5th grader Brett
says, "A Jewish girl complains about being Jewish and she travels back in time to a
Polish Jewish town during the Holocaust. It is a good book to read." |
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Lucy's Wish: Orphan Train Children by Joan Lowery Nixon
5th grader Kelly
says, "Lucy's Wish is about kids, especially Lucy, getting put up for adoption by the
Orphan Train Children Association in the 1800s. There are not many books like it and it
keeps you wanting to read." |
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Anne Frank: Tales of the Secret Annex
5th grader Kelly
says, "This book is about different stories and real life incidents that were made by
or told to Anne Frank by her father during World War II. I think it's special because it
is from her point of view!" |
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Voyage on the Great Titanic by Ellen Emerson White
5th grader Lauren
says, "This is a diary of a girl that was on the Titanic. She survived by getting on
a life boat. Margaret Ann Brady lived for 95 years. She died in her sleep in 1994. It was
exciting when the attendant said, "Get on your life vests and head to the boat
deck." |
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So Far From Home by Barry Benenburg
5th grader Kara says,
"The plot is about a girl named Mary Driscol and what happened to her in America. I
thought the book was interesting and very surprising." |
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The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
5th grader Colleen
says, "Laura and her family are trapped in town by blizzards. The trains can't come.
They are running out of supplies. This book will keep you reading the whole time. It is
exciting and funny all in one book." |
