MIRACLE ON 49TH STREET by Mike Lupica

Can you believe this? A 12-year-old girl named Molly Parker’s mom died and now she is living with her mom’s friend and her family. Molly didn’t know about her dad until she found the notes that her mother wrote to her about her father Josh Cameron before she passed away. Molly is determined to find him and convince her dad, a NBA superstar for the Celtics, that she is his daughter. Josh Cameron only has two things in his life, basketball and himself. Molly tries to become a part of his life before she and her new family moves to California. My favorite part in the book is when Molly Parker hides in Josh Cameron’s truck to talk to him for the second time. She chose to do it that way because that was the only way she could talk to him in peace and quiet and so the media wouldn’t see them. Will Josh Cameron believe he is Molly’s father? Or will he still have room for only two things in his life, basketball and himself?

Quincy

SILENT TO THE BONE By E.L. Konigsburg

It is hard to believe, but Branwell is being accused of nearly killing his newborn step baby sister. Connor knows though, that Branwell wouldn’t do such a thing. Vivian, the smoking babysitter, is against Connor. Connor has to defend Branwell because he doesn’t want speak one bit. Connor knows that Vivian is a bad babysitter and is lying. My favorite part was when I heard the 911 tape of Vivian screaming at Branwell. It was scary. Can Vivian be proved wrong? Who is the real culprit? Will Branwell go to jail? Will he ever start speaking again? All your questions will be answered when you read “Silent to the Bone”.

THE BRONZE BOW by Elizabeth George Speare

If you like stories with ecstatic endings then you would like The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare. This book is the winner of the Newberry Award. The story includes prominent religious figures. It takes place in Israel during 30 A.D. Daniel is a young boy whose father is crucified by Roman soldiers. Daniel wants to get revenge on the Romans and drive them out of Israel. Daniel lives in the mountains with a band of out laws, the leader is of the rebels is named Rosh. These rebels want to rid Israel of the Romans but they need men. One day they capture a brawny man named Samson. Simon (Daniels friend) said that Daniel should come see a preacher, the preacher says that fighting won’t work and you should learn how to love your enemies not hate them. Samson dies in battle and Daniels sister faces death. My favorite part was the ending. To find out what happens read The Bronze Bow.

Sam F.

FLIGHT 29 DOWN by Walter Sorrells

Ten kids are going to camp on a huge plane. On the way something horrible happens - the plane gets struck by lightning on both wings and the engine burns out! Everyone is screaming and thinking we’re goanna die, were goanna die! But instead of crashing in the ocean they crash into a mysterious island. Most of the kids think this is paradise and nothing happened. There on the island, there is no water. Even worse there’s no food. And then tragedy happens. One of the kids in the jungle gets lost! They go searching for the boy through the wild jungle. Then one of them gets hurt! What happens next? Read Flight 29 Down and find out.

Felipe

ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine

Have you ever had to worry about someone taking advantage of your powers? Well I would suggest that you read Ella Enchanted. Ella Enchanted is a tale about a girl who was given a spell of obedience on her birthday from her fairy godmother Lucinda. As she grew up she watch her mother die and she also watched her father marry her evil stepmother, who had two evil daughters. One of Ella’s stepsisters discovered about her always obeying so she tried to always take advantage of Ella. One day Ella decided that she would go to find her fairy godmother to return the gift and she took a talking book as her companion. Along the way Ella met giants, elves, Prince Charmont and Prince Charmont’s evil uncle who wanted to take over the crown and rule the kingdom. Did he have the powers to take over both the crown and the kingdom? My favorite part is when Ella got revenge on her stepsister for bossing her around. To find out if Ella got to return her gift and if Prince Charmont’s uncle had the power to take over the crown and rule the kingdom, read the book… ELLA ENCHANTED.
Jessica

CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN By Dyan Sheldon

Mary, a teenager who lives in New York City has a dream to become an actress, so she thinks “What better place to become an actress than NYC?” However, her dream is crushed when she finds out her family is moving to Dellwood, New Jersey. When Lola, as Mary likes to be called, gets there she finds out there is a school play, which will take place in NYC. She really wants to try out for the main part but after overhearing the most popular girl in school say she already has the main part, Mary freaks out. Another problem in her life involves her favorite band, Sidhartha, which is playing their final concert before breaking up and, Mary doesn’t have tickets yet. My favorite part is when Lola and her friend, Ella, are trying to get into the concert. Ella, who is already in the concert pretends to not breathe so Lola can get in to be with her. Carla has also been invited to the after party which only people the band know, get to go to. To find out if Lola will be able to get into the concert, be invited to the party, and get the lead in the play, read Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

ONCE UPON A MARIGOLD By: Jean Ferris

Christian and Princess Marigold are best friends but barely know what each other look like. Why? Well, he’s a commoner and she’s royalty, and they only communicate through ‘P-Mail’, which is sending pigeons with messages. When Christian finds that it is time to get a job, he immediately applies at the castle. Luckily for him, he gets the job. There, Christian and Marigold find their best friends when they need them most, and are able to fully see what each other look like. My favorite part comes next – while working one day, Christian overhears Queen Olympia’s plan to take over Zandelphia. Worst of all, she’ll not only bump off Marigold to do it, but drug her husband too! Her plan is to have an arranged marriage for Marigold with a prince of another kingdom – talk about your fairy-tale’s villain! After a sequence of roller-coasting events, Christian and Marigold avoid her marriage and many other surprises follow. Once Upon a Marigold is a positively brilliant book for anyone who enjoys a phenomenal read- it’s about finding your true friends whenever you need them most, and always having them to cherish.