BEFORE I DIE By Jenny Downham

The book Before I Die is an amazing book the main character is Tessa. Tessa is sick she has cancer and doctors never expected to get worse and it's quicker than anyone thought. When she figures that out she decides to make a list of ten things she wants to do and some of the things are risky and others are unbelievable. Tessa wouldn't do the list alone so she got her friend Zoey to help her with the list. Even though she was doing the list that doesn't mean that she still didn't have her illness she would have to go to the hospital for fainting or she would get blood tests and have to see the doctors. This would sometimes affect her from doing the list. My favorite part was when Tessa and her dad were having a nice moment and it really touch my heart. Would she be able to finish the list before she dies? Would the doctors be able to cure Tessa before it's too late or would Tessa not make it and die? If you want to know what happens I recommend you to read Before I Die and found out what happens to Tessa.

DRAGON'S EGG By Sarah L.Thomson

Small dragons, large dragons, and some in between, Mella Evasdaughter knows them all in the book Dragon’s Egg by Sarah L. Thomson. Mella is an ordinary girl who picks dragon eggs every morning for the Inn where she lived, but when she is left to save a dragon egg she takes a journey and has many adventures. She accompanied by Roger the squire. To know what happened along the journey you have to read the book, but my favorite part was when Mella and Robert were kidnapped. They had been kidnapped by a cruel, lying, man named Alain, but Mella and Robert were both worried about the egg more than themselves because of the fact that it had to be put in fire every night or it would die. After Alain warned them that he was a light sleeper and fell asleep, Mella and Robert started to gnaw at the cord tying their wrists together. Mella and Robert were doing very well until the sound of dragons woke him up. He noticed that Robert was gnawing at the cord so he reacted by tightly tying his wrists together behind his back. The dragons around them attacked Alain causing him to get bitten on the hand and behind his knee and gave Mella and Robert a chance to escape. Once the dragons had left, Mella and Robert burned everything he was selling (which was all stolen) and then hit him in the head with a wooden board causing him to fall unconscious and was then tied with his injuries were wrapped in cloth. Mella and Robert had a lot of endurance, so I would recommend it to people who want to find out what happened to the egg.

MANIAC MAGEE By Jerry Spinelli

If you like drama and adventure then this is the book for you. Jeffrey Lionel Magee was living the normal life until a drunk driver caused a huge trolley accident. His parents got killed in the crash. Magee had to move to Hollidaysburg to live with his aunt and uncle. He got tired of his aunt and uncle fighting all the time so he ran away. He ran two hundred miles in one day and that’s how he earned his nickname Maniac. Maniac was looking for a home so a family named the Beales took him in. Amanda Beale loved to read so she shared books with Jeffrey. The Beales were a loving and kind family but they were black and Maniac was white. There was prejudice and racism between the east and west sides of town. Maniac met Mars Bar Thompson and they had an understanding, but they didn’t speak much. They had respect for each other. My favorite part of the book is Maniac’s leadership. Maniac seems to outfox kids. Will Maniac ever find a home? Read the book to find out!

THE VAMPIRE By Darran Shan

A freak show stayed by a clearing near the banks of a river in the countryside. In this freak shows are: Evra, Darren, Mr. Crepsly, and the Wolf Man. There are many more characters like: Little Men, Michael, Danny, Hans Hands, Truska, Mr. Tall, Rhamus, Mr. Tiny and a lot more! The main problem of this story is that Reggie, a regular man becomes friends with Darren, a vampire. Reggie is all about Nature and animals, so when Reggie found out that the freak show kept the Wolf Man locked up, he set him free at the cost of his hands. This was also my favorite part. Friendship plays a very important role in “The Vampire’s Assistant”. If Darren hadn’t become friends with Evra, Sam, and Reggie, who knows what else could have happened? Another event is when Sam saves Darren’s life and in return, wants to join the freak show, which he can’t do. When Darren said no, Sam tried to stow away at the freak show but the freed Wolf Man spotted him and chased him into the woods toward an abandoned train station. Darren the vampire comes to the rescue, but can he save him? To find out what happened, you must read this book, I would highly recommend this book to all readers.

THE LIBRARY CARD By Jerry Spenilli

Have you ever seen something weird and wanted to find out what it was? Well than read the Library Card. It is about 2 boys named Mongoose and Weasel. They both stole candy from a store. When they opened a Milky Way candy bar they find a blue library card and Weasel smacked it and it went flying. One day when Mongoose was going to school he found the card. My favorite part was when Mongoose and Weasel went spray painting and Mongoose sprayed a mysterious bug. He wanted to find out what that bug was, so he took the card and went to the library. Do you think he will find out what bug he sprayed? Read the book to find out.

DANGER ON VAMPIRE TRAIL By Franklin W. Dixon

Are you the type of person that loves mystery books, and surprises around every corner? If you are, then this is the right book for you! In this book Frank and Joe Hardy, Biff Hopper and Chet Morton are assigned a mystery where they get to travel across the U.S. following Lasher, a credit card thief. They hope he will lead them to his gang. They eventually end up somewhere called “Vampire Trail”. It got its name because of travelers hearing strange sounds, which they thought, were vampires. Some travelers that went on the trail came back with strange cuts on the back of their necks. But it turns out that..... well, I'll leave the ending as a surprise for you. Read “Hardy Boys, “Danger on Vampire Trail ”, if you want to find out what happens next.

THE CUPID CHRONICLES By Coleen Murtagh Paratore

The Cupid Chronicles is a book about a 13-year-old girl named Willa who enjoys reading Shakespeare. She finds out that the Bramble library is about to close. Willa is devastated so she and her best friend Tina find a way to save the library. To raise money they host parties in a barn in the back of her parent’s inn. Willa’s best friend Tina is positive that her compatibility test will pair up every girl in school and will raise enough money for the Midwinter Nights Ball to save the library. Another problem is that Tina’s friend Ruby is trying to steal Willa’s crush Joseph. Willa needs to rethink her strategy in time to go to the dance with Joseph. With a little help from Shakespeare, a Southern beauty queen, and Cupid himself, romance is striking all over Bramble. My favorite part in the book was when Willa finally goes to the dance with Joseph. So, read The Cupid Chronicles to find out if Willa saves the Bramble library.

THE SECRET LIFE OF AMANDA K. WOODS By Ann Cameron

This story is about how a girl cannot find herself and what she wants to be when she gets older, because she does not have a clue about what she is going to do. Her best friend named Lyle, who has been her friend since she was very little leaves the country, and she has nobody to be with during her time of need. She has her old horse skipper who has been with her longer than Lyle, and she feels so alone now that Lyle’s gone. She does not want to be her sister because she is so perfect and she always has to be correct. Amanda does not want to be her mother because she is like her sister, and wants everything to be done thoroughly at all times. Amanda’s life changes because she is going to a new school. She has never gone to a school in Rome and girls are not allowed to go to school where she is from, only boys get to go. My favorite part is when Amanda and her father were on the road and they were on their way to Amanda’s school in Rome and her father were on their way to the hotel that he owns. It was her first school with both boys and girls she ever went to in her life, but something great happens to Amanda that she will never forget. Now Amanda knows who she is and she is just plain Amanda Woods. Does Amanda’s friend Lyle come back? Read the book to find out.

DREAMS IN THE GOLDEN COUNTRY By Katharina Lasky

This is a breath-taking story about a young Jewish girl that comes to America. In this book Zipporah and her family travel from Russia to America. As they get checked to see if they could be able to go to America, Zipporah gets mistaken for having and eye disease. Her older sister, Tovah, figures out a way to get her past. Zipporah and her family move to New York. Zipporah’s Mother has learned that her husband has change over his time in America. Zipporah goes to school and meets a friend name Blu. Blu has a lot of family and a strange father. My favorite part in this book is when they built their sukkah. I liked this part because I thought it was cool how they worked together to build something that could be useful to them. If you like to read about strong brave people you’ll love this book.

EYES OF THE EMPEROR By Graham Salisburg

Can you believe that in World War II Japan bombed the U.S.A.? Japanese soldiers who just joined up with the military were treated differently, afterward. 16-year-old Eddy Okubo joined the military. My favorite part was after Eddy joining the military and here it is when Eddy and his friend, Cobra, were assigned to check if Japanese soldiers would come up from the water and when they thought that a dark figure was a soldier they shot and in the morning they saw that it was a cow, it was hilarious. When they told Lt. Sweet he was laughing his head off and told them “I guess it was just a rumor.” When he told his father that Eddy joined the military, his father did not talk to him for several days. When Japan attacked the U.S.A, Eddy had to go to his post. When he did, Lieutenant Sweet told his partners, Cobra and Chik, to go to rest up and he would tell them what to do next morning. When they woke up Lt. Sweet told them that they had a secret mission that only the Japanese could do. Will the Japanese soldiers survive the mission or not?

BROTHERHOOD OF HEROES By Bill Sloan

Iow Jima and Leyete Gulf, are these the most bloodthirsty battles of the Pacific? No. They are well remembered but not the worst. Lost in the vast Pacific lies Peleliu, a bloody jungle with dirt hard as stone with rotting corpses and artillery craters. Retold from the heart of a legendary marine who has been in its midst, losing friends, losing wits, heads, and blood. Fighting Japanese, their tanks and their own casualties. Seeing horrors beyond imagination where nine hundred men die everyday and a thousand are left to suffer. No place on earth except Peleliu in 1944. If you're fascinated how a bunch of ragtag men with wrong maps and instructions face odds one out of a thousand. Read Brotherhood of Heroes by Bill Sloan. Where you can live and be one of them

THE BAD BEGINNING By Lemony Snicket

The Bad Beginning is about three children whose parents die in a catastrophic fire. The three Baudelaire’s have a very hard time taking this tragic news. They find out from a "so called family member" that lives near the way. The Baudelaire children now have to stay with their parent’s executor and his children. His children don’t really enjoy spending time with the Baudelaire’s. After a few days with the executor, his children, and the three Baudelaire’s had to move with their Uncle who they did not know. They were up to a shocking surprise. My favorite part is when the three Baudelaire’s had to move with their uncle whom they never heard about. They came to a shocking surprise. Will they survive the new house with their unknown uncle? You will have to read The Bad Beginning to find out if the bad beginning has a bad ending. It’s tempting I know.
Diamond

RUNAWAY By: Wendlin Van Draanen

How would you feel if both of your parents died? Would you feel confused, frustrated, sad, afraid, furious, or lonely? A twelve-year-old girl named Holly has experienced all of those feelings and other feelings that you might have never knew existed. Both of Holly’s parents died a very tragic death. Holly has been through so much at such a young age. She has been from one foster home to another. When Holly was going to school, her teacher gave her a journal to write in. When Holly ran away from her foster parents she would steal from stores in order to survive. Stealing and living on the streets would always make her think of her mother. From jumping off of trains to hiding from the cops, you would never understand what Holly has been through. But if you read her journal, then maybe you would understand a little bit better. I personally like Holly’s braveness. She is a tough girl for her age. Usually a girl her age wouldn’t know how to survive on the streets but Holly has learned how to provide for herself. You might be wondering will Holly ever have a family again and will she survive? To find out go to your nearest store or library and get this book. It’s going to make you cry. Enjoy!

CADDIE WOODLAWN By Carol Ryrie Brink

Back in 1864 a quiet young girl by the name of Caddie Woodlawn was 11 years. She and her two brothers Tom and Warren managing the woods they own on western Wisconsin. Caddie felt that the outside farm work was meant for her. When winter came people in Woodlawn knew that it was time for the Indians to come and try to kill all white people. Caddie had wanted a change between the American and Indian’s. All Americans from the east would come and stay at their town. Caddie’s mom would cook for all those people. She tried to get to the Indians before dad did. She went to their town and warned the tribe to run “my father is coming to get you!” This was my favorite chapter. Caddie had seen that the Indians were good people and the only way she could stop the massacre scare was to make peace with these people. Caddie was so brave to go approach an Indian by the name of John. To find out how this conflict is resolved read this true story based on a story written by Caddie’s granddaughter

EAGLE STRIKE By Anthony Horowitz

This is the breath-taking story about a kid named Alex. Unlike most 14-year-old boys he worked for M16 a secret spy organization. One day his friend’s father gets in a car "accident", at least, that's what everyone thought. Alex knew it was Damian Cray, a famous pop star, however no one believes him. He soon finds out that Damian has come up with an evil plan known as, “Eagle Strike”. Now Alex has to do whatever it takes to expose him. My favorite part was when Alex get caught and put in a video game. Unlike a video game, he has no second chances. He is now battling for his life and losing. We he survive and stop Damian? You will have to read the book to find out.

THE MONUMENT by Garl Paulsen

If you like drawing or writing this is a great book for you to read! This book is about a girl named Rachel, A.K.A Rocky, who was living in an orphanage. She would always hope that someone would adopt her. She waited and waited. She knew the reason why she didn’t get adopted was because of her color and her stiff left leg. My favorite part of this book was when Rocky met a dog that would always chase the chickens in the coop. She asked her mom and dad to keep him and they said ‘”Yes”. She named him Python. When I started to read this book in the beginning it was boring but then when I kept reading it was getting good. I recommend this book to 6th graders because it’s a fun and loving book. If you want to find out what happens to Rocky ask Miss Brooker for a copy or get it from the media center. I’m sure you will love this book like I did!
-Jhislanie

THE SEIGE By Kathryn Lasky

If you love fantasy and action adventure, then you will love The Siege, the fourth book in a series by Kathryn Lasky. The author does a great job combining fiction and factual information about owls that I guarantee that you will be hooked on the series just like I was. Soren and his gang are back in this action packed adventure, as he now must help protect the Great Ga’Hoole Tree from the Pure Ones lead by Soren’s evil brother Kludd and his mate Nyra. My favorite part was the ending, when Soren had to fight his evil brother Kludd. I liked it because it was the most suspenseful, dramatic, and action packed event in the book between the fighting, the situation, and the outcome of the battle was riveting sending shockwaves through my brain. The siege has begun, and there will be plenty of blood and death before the end of the siege. A traitor is among the guardians of the great tree and the final battle is about to begin between good and evil and brother vs. brother. The fate of entire Owl world rest in the hands of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole and Soren and his gang. Will good prevail or will evil destroy the entire owl world? Read the Siege and be immersed into this fantasy world full of action and adventure.

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS: THE AUSTERE ACADEMY By Lemony Snicket

Would you believe an evil man would take money from three homeless children? The book I read is A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy. In this book there are three orphans, 14 year old Violet, 12 year old Klaus, and 1 year old Sunny Baudelaire. They all have to live in a boarding school, but they are not allowed to live in the dormitory. One day along came two other orphans who have to live with them in the Orphans’ Shack, the Quagmire Triplets, Isadora, Duncan, and Quigy (who past away when he was born.) Then along came the evil man Count Olaf. Count Olaf disguised himself as a gym coach named Coach Genghis and tried once more to steal the Bauldelaire fortune. Coach Genghis put them through horrible S.O.R.E (Special Orphan Running Exercises) all night that caused them to be tired. After nine days of S.O.R.E the Quagmires came up with an idea to disguise themselves as Klaus and Violet, so that Klaus and Violet can study for their exams while the Quagmires run their laps. So the next day, after dinner the Quagmires took the Bauldelaire clothes and put them on so they could look like the actual Bauldelaires. If you want to know how this plan works out read the book A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy.
Onyx

POLAND by Martin Hintz

Do you have family members that are Polish or are you part Polish and want to learn about Poland? This book is for you. This book is about Poland’s economy, religion, wonders, and the history of Poland. The economy chapter tells how the economy of Poland changed overtime. Poland has many religions rights for many people and you can find out more. Poland’s wonders are buildings and monuments. This book also has pictures of these beautiful wonders. The history of Poland is long one and goes back 1,000 years when a man named Ibrahim, an explorer traveled all over Europe. When he was in Poland he siad something about Poland. If you want to find out what he said just read the book Poland.

Damian