4 Hook Question: When Jamie enters the Planet's Funniest Kid Contest, will he make it to the top? Or will he just become a dump of failure?

5 Blurb: Hi, I'm Jamie Grimm - and I want to make you LAUGH! Do zombies eat doughnuts with their fingers? What do you get when you cross a parrot and a shark? What do mallards wear at a wedding? To find out the punchlines to these jokes and TONS of others, read on!

You'll hear the story of my insanely un-funny stepfamily, my mostly funny friends, an amazing person called Cool Girl, and the school bully, who happens to live in the same house as me - plus a secret I'm not exactly ready to tell you yet.

But I WILL tell you that I'm on an unforgettable mission to win the Planet's Funniest Kid Contest, and I want you there with me every step of the way!

So sit back, relax, and get ready to howl... till there are tears in your eyes... till you shiver and shake... till your sides start to split... and then you bust a gut!

6 Text to Text- Text to Self- Text to World: I think this book can be similar to wonder because both August and Jamie has something that makes them look strange- August the face and Jamie the wheelchair.

I might be similar to Jamie because it was my first day of my soccer lesson and I was scared I might not be good enough, like Jamie was scared when he entered the Planet's Funniest Kid Contest.
People, or children, may not have enough confidence to do something like enter a contest even though their family might want them to do it.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were there any messages the author was trying to get across?: This book was quite enjoyable with the surprises popping out the corners and everything. Also, I think the story's main complication was good to read as you never knew what would happen. The message the author was trying to get across was that even though you don't have the confidence, you can take a risk (a smart one) and just do it.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book for people who enjoy reading surprises and taking risks in stories. The age group this group suits is 9-14.

9 Star Rating:

4 Hook Question: When Ally gets a new teacher, he is very nice, but, will he be able to help Ally with her dyslexia (dyslexia is something where it makes it harder to learn to read as well as read)?

5 Blurb: 

Great minds don't always think alike.

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she's able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She's afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, Ally's newest teacher sees the bright, creative kid beneath the troublemaker and helps to shine a light on her gifts. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and gets to know other kids who break the mold. When the outsiders start to fit in, surprising things begin to happen in Ally's classroom that show her there's a lot more to her- and to everyone- than a label.

6 Text to Text- Text to Self- Text to World: I can relate this book to wonder because at first, August doesn't want to go to school, just like Ally doesn't want to ask for help. They are both afraid, but Auggie ends up going to school and actually has fun, and Ally ends up asking for help and gets closer than ever to being a fluent reader.

I am kind of like Albert, who is interested in Star Trek but no one cares. I take interest in something called Lego Ninjago, but no one cares.

Many people have disabilities around the globe.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were there any messages the author was trying to get across?: I think this book is an enjoyable one with the many different characters. I like each person's characteristics and personalities. I think the message the author was trying to get across is that just because someone has a disability, doesn't mean that they are stupid or that they are not "real".

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book to people who are entertained well when reading a book that has many different characters throughout the story, each unique and special. I think ages 9-20 is the age group this book suits.

9 Star Rating:

4 Hook Question: When someone randomly punches Sal, he ditches Miranda. Will Miranda and Sal ever be friends again?

5 Blurb: By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, and who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner. 

But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper.

I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own.

I ask two favors. First you must write me a letter.

The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

6 Text to Text- Text to Self- Text to world: I think this book can be similar to Diary of A Wimpy Kid #8 Hard Luck. In both stories, the main characters lose their best friend, then at the end get back their former best friend.
I could be similar to Miranda in a way because I know how to navigate my neighborhood.
This book can be similar to the world because in the future people may figure out that time travel is possible.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were there any messages the author was trying to get across?: One thing that I really liked about this book is that there was a mystery that wasn't solved throughout the whole story but clues were given. Finally, at the end of the book, the mystery was revealed. I don't think that the author was trying to get across any important messages.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book for kids who like reading books with a huge mystery and sudden changes in actions. 8-12 is the age group this book suits.

9 Star rating: 

4 Hook Question: Will the samurai kids be able to learn the ways of the Shaolin and then defeat China's Warrior, Qing- Shen?

5 Blurb: The white tiger temple is under threat. To help the Shaolin monks, Sensei Ki- Yaga and the whole gang of samurai kids embark on a perilous journey across the sea of Japan to China. But they soon discover that getting there is only half the battle. An enemy awaits them: a former student of Sensei's named Qing- Shen, China's Warrior, who is now the most skilled soldier in the Middle Kingdom and who holds a grudge against his onetime teacher. Could there be anyone more dangerous? The samurai kids must train in the ways of the Shaolin monks before facing him. But will they be able to protect the temple and their beloved sensei?

6 Text to Text- Text to Self- Text to World: I actually think this book can be similar to Owl Ninja, another book in this series, because in both stories the samurai kids need to learn in the ways of something, for example, ninjas, and then in return, protect them.
This book can be similar to me because If I had to go on a quest like that, I would be scared, like the samurai kids.
This book can be similar to the world because someone might be scared of going against the champion of a type of match like Yoshi, when he said he would fight but was a little scared.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were there any messages that the author was trying to get across?: I think this book was enjoyable because action kept coming into the story and surprises high in quantity as well. I think a message that the author was to send out is that if you want immortal life, it is impossible to get it.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book for people who like mystery, surprises, and action. The age group this book suits is 9- 14.

9 Star Rating:

4 Hook Question: Will Bradley Chalkers ever learn to be a nice boy?

5 Blurb: "Give me a dollar or I'll spit on you." That's Bradley Chalkers for you. He's the oldest bully in the fifth grade. He tells outrageous lies. He is rude to his teachers and refuses to do his homework. No one likes him- except Carla, the new school counselor. Carla believes that underneath Bradley's don't- care attitude, he is sensitive and generous. She knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren't afraid to try.

But when you feel like the most hated kid in the whole school, believing in yourself can be the hardest thing in the world. . . .

6 Text to Text- Text to Self- Text to World: I think this book can actually be similar to Wonder because Bradley was made fun of, teased, and feared, by other people in the school. Then, like Auggie, gets a friend but then they split up for a while. After that, both Auggie and Bradley meet even more friends and become happy.
This book can be similar to me in a way because when I first came to Bradbury, I had no friends. Then after a little time, I had a friend. Like Bradley, after a bit I had no friends when the year changed. Soon, I had even more friends then I used to.
When people are new to a school and they don't concentrate on where they are going they might end up some where they didn't expect themselves to be.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were there any messages the author was trying to get across?: Bradley's emotions change quite a bit from mad or sad to happy or full of energy. I think the change of emotions was described well and understandable. I believe the message that the author wanted to send is that you may be feared or hated in a certain community but if you believe in yourself, and try to be good, then, you might be able to change the way other people feel about you.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book to people who like it when the main character does not start off that well but gets better at the end. I also believe that people who enjoy books with emotional changes are going to have fun reading this story. The age group the book suits to is 8-13.

9 Star Rating:

                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  

4 Hook Question: What happens when Kyoko is kidnapped mysteriously in the dead of night?

5 Blurb: The samurai kids are still in china, trying to get back to the Cockroach Ryu, when the unthinkable happens: Kyoko is kidnapped. Sensei immediately suspects his old enemy, Lu Zeng, an embittered minister of the Forbidden City obsessed with eternal life.

The Cockroaches must make a perilous journey to the Forbidden City, during which they encounter the mysterious forest- dwelling Lin people. But our hero, Niya, soon learns that Yoshi has been keeping secrets, which causes his trust in his best friend waiver. And worse, it seems Sensei is hiding something as well. Will all these secrets prevent the Cockroaches from succeeding in their most important mission yet- rescuing Kyoko from the clutches of Lu Zeng?

6 Text to Text- Text to self- Text to world: This book can be similar to the book The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe because both main bad guys want to live forever and both main bad guys capture one of a good guy.
      This book can be similar to me because I would also be unhappy if any close relatives were keeping a secret from me.
      This book can be similar to the world because there could be people that want to live forever and people that want revenge over an old friend of their's.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were their any messages that the author was trying to get across?: I think a message the author was trying to send was that even though either your best friend or a close relative is keeping a secret from you don't be negative about it because there might be a reason.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book to people who enjoy adventure. This book is suited to the age group 9- 14.

9 Star rating:

4 Hook Question: What will happen when Roz wakes up in an island she is not supposed to be in?

5 Blurb: When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is- but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a fierce storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.

      As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home - until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

6 Text to Text/ Text to self/ Text to world: In my opinion, The Wild Robot is similar to The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe because both Aslan and Roz sacrifice themselves for their friends' safety.

      In a way, this book could be similar to me because the robot cannot live with no aid and no friends and family and neither can I.
      I think this book could be similar to the world because if you are stranded on a deserted island you need to adapt to your surroundings to survive.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were there any messages the author was trying to get across? I enjoyed this book because the story is fast paced with sudden changes and lots of action. I think the message the author was trying to send is that even though you don't want to do something, you might have to do it to survive.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book to people who like mystery and adventure. This book suits ages 8-14.

9 Star rating:

4 Hook Question: Will Greg Heffley be able to create the movie and make lots of money? Or will he double down so there is double of his trouble?

5 Blurb: The pressure's really piling up on Greg Heffley. His mom thinks video games are turning his brain to mush, so she wants her son to put down the controller and explore his "creative side."

As  if that's not scary enough, Halloween is just around the corner and the frights are coming at Greg from every angle.

When he discovers a bag of gummy worms, it sparks an idea. Can Greg get his mom off his back by making a movie... and will he become rich and famous in the process? Or will doubling down on this plan just double Greg's troubles?

6 Text to Text/ Text to Self/ Text to World: This book is similar to the book Middle School The Worst Days Of My Life because both book's main character hates middle school.

This book could be similar to me because Greg hates middle school and I don't "enjoy" school that much.

This book can be similar to the world because many kids hate middle school.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were there any messages that the author was trying to get across?: I think a message the author was trying to send was that earning money and making movies aren't easy.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book for people who enjoy the book series "Middle School" because both narrators are winy and both narrators hate middle school. I think this book is suited to the age group 8-13.

9 Star rating:  

4 Hook Question: Will Rafe Khatchadorian survive the horrible environment of middle school or will he fail to live?

5 Blurb: THIS iS THE TOTALLY iNSANe STORY OF HOW I, RAFE KHATCHADORIAN, 

• fought and overcame a diabolical teacher called the Dragon Lady, 
• sold my soul to the school bully, a dollar at a time,
• wrestled with a real live bear, repeatedly,
• went into the soda business and went bust,
• and fell kind of in "like" with the most popular girl in school.

The worst days of my life were good sometimes.

Bad sometimes.

But mostly they were hilarious.

6 Text to Text/ Text to self/ Text to world: This book can be similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid because in both books the main character hates middle school.

This book may be similar to me because I don't "enjoy" school like this dude, though he HATES school, and that is not me.

This book is similar to the world because many people hate middle school.

7 Your views on the book and why? Were there any messages the author was trying to get across?:  I think the author hated middle school and he wanted everyone to know it.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age group is it suited to?: I recommend this book for people who like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. A good age group for this book is 9-13.

9 Star rating:

 

Shakespeare's Secret

By Elise Broach

4 Hook question:
A missing diamond that belongs to a 500 year old necklace, will Hero and Danny be able to find it and solve the mystery of Shakespeare's true identity?...

5 Blurb:
A missing diamond. A 500- year old necklace. A mystery dating back to the time of William Shakespeare...

Named after a character from a Shakespearean play, Hero anticipates having a rough time starting the sixth grade at her new school. She isn't at all interested in this literary connection- not until she finds there may be a diamond hidden in her new house, and that it may hold the key to the mystery of Shakespeare's true identity. All of a sudden, her name is very interesting and so is Danny Cordova, the most popular boy in school who seems intent on uncovering the mystery with Hero.

6 Text to text/ self/ world:
In a way, this book is similar to 'Wonder'. This is because people make fun of Hero because her name is unfamiliar and it is the same name as someone's dog. Augy is also "made fun of" because of his face.
In the book Danny is similar to me. If my mom was away for a long time and I earned a lot of money I would give the leftovers to her. Danny sent the diamond to his mother (he hadn't seen his mother since he was 5) once it was found, which kind of makes me and him similar.
This book can be similar to the world because dads can love Shakespearean plays and children can be named after characters from Shakespearean plays.

7 Any views on this book- why? Were there any messages the author tried to get across?:
The writing was good but the story itself was not too interesting.

8 Do you recommend this book for others? Why or why not? What age is this suited to?:
I recommend this for people who like Shakespeare and for people who enjoy mysteries. This book  suits people aged 9 and over.

9 Star rating: