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Booky Monsters Summer Reading

The following summer reading list is in order of how good the books are. For example Shooting Kabul(#1) is the best book I have read this summer, and From Norvelt to Nowhere(#22) is the worst book of the summer. Also at the bottom of this page there are the next three books that I am going to read.

1. Shooting Kabul

Shooting Kabul is a moving story about an Afghani refugee family. The story begins when the protaganist, Fadi, loses his sister while his family is running away from the Taliban. The family escapes, and flies to California with the last of their money. Fadi is wracked with guilt about losing his sister. Fadi also goes to American school, and enters a photoghraphy competition. If he wins he will get a free trip to Pakistan. From there he will try to find his sister, and regain his honor. Will Fadi win? Will he find his sister? This book had me in tears by the end, with its beautiful word choices. You can feel the emotions the characters are having. Shooting Kabul is the best book I have ever read. I recommend this book for ages 10 and up.

2. Okay for Now

Okay for now is the sequel to Wednesday Wars (#11). The Protaganist is Doug Swieteck who moves to a small town called Maryville. Throughout the course of the book copying birds of Audoboun is a big part in the story. He also has an abusive father, and a mean sad family. He learns how to get over this, and the book ends tragically. This book has alot of cheery parts, but it also sometimes made me feel like crying. Gary D. Schmidt brang lots of different out lots of different emotions from me, and I am amazed at how real the characters seemed. I recommend this wonderful book for ages 11 to 17.

3. King of the Wind

King of the Wind is a beautiful true story about a half blessed half cursed horse named Sham, and a horse boy named Agba. Throughout the book Agba and Sham have hard times and really good times because Sham is cursed and blessed. I love the plot of this story and the loyalty of Agba to Sham. I recommend this book for ages 10 to 16.

4. Nicholas on Vacation

Nicholas on Vacation is the funniest book I have ever read. Its humor is hilarious because there is a little bit of sarcasm and truth in every joke. For example in one part Nicholas is on a boat with his dad and his dad's "arch-enemy". Since they both don't like each other they were trying to make the other one seasick by for example saying: "You look quite pale" the arch enemy told dad. "I tell you what would do you good: a big bowl of nice lukewarm mutton fat.""Of course" said the Dad. "With oysters and hot chocolate sauce."; See I told you it was hilarious!!! Anyway I enjoyed this book very much, and when I finished I was sad that it ended. I recommend Nicholas on Vacation for ages 8 and up, and I suggest reading it with a family member because it is fun to share a laugh with someone you love.

5. The Giver

The Giver is a novel about a boy named Jonas in a dystopian society. In his community everything is great, except that they can not, and do not want to see color, have feelings, or have memories of before their society started. Jonas figures this out when he gets a job that allows him to do these things: The Receiver Of Memory. This book is very creative, and it is written in a perspective no other book has. I recommend this book for ages 10 to 15.

6. This Book Is Not Good For You

This Book Is Not Good For You is the darkest but best book in the Secret series(check out the other books at numbers 9, and 12.). I recommend that you read the first 2 reviews before this so you understand the setting and who the characters are, but I will now tell you a bit about this books plot. Cass and Max-Everett go on a mission to find the tuning fork for the Terces Society. When Cass's mom is taken prisoner by the Midnight Sun, Cass has to give them the tuning fork as ransom. The problem is that the Terces Society wanted the tuning fork, so she has to not let them know that she is giving it to the Midnight Sun to save her mom. This book had one of the best plots iv'e ever read, and the emotions of the characters were really easy to relate to. If you like a bit of dark mystery, realistic characters, and a suspenseful book, This Book Is Not Good For You is good for you(haha!).I recommend this book for ages 10 1/2 to 16.

7. Better Nate Than Ever

Better Nate Than Ever is a story about a boy named Nate who wants to become a broadway star. The story starts when Nate runs away from home to audition for the part of Elliot in E.T. Throughout the book he meets his long lost Aunt, bonds family, learns what New York City is like, and experiences things he would never expect. This book captured the feeling of competition really well, and the characters are people you could relate to. I recommend this book for ages 9 to 13.

8. Shadow on the Mountain

Shadow on the Mountain is about a teenage Norwegian boy named Espen. Shadow on the Mountain takes place when the Nazis took over Norway. Many of his friends are influenced by this, some becoming Nazis others joining the Resistance. Espen joins the Resistance and many of his friendships are broken. Throughout the book Espen has to deal with changing friends and delivering secret messages for the Resistance. I enjoyed this book so much because there is constant suspense. I recommend this book for ages 10 to 15. Also, the author of this book wrote Heart of a Samurai(#13).

9. The Name of This Book is Secret

The Name of this Book is Secret is a great novel that has 2 protagonists:Cass and Max-Everett. They figure out that they have to save an old magician, and in the process find out a bit about his childhood, and his long lost brother Luciano. While Cass and Max-Everett are trying to find the Magician 2 people are trying to stop them:Dr.L and Ms.Mauvais. I enjoyed this hilarious author, but this book is a little dark. The characters are fun to root for, and the suspense is tremendous. I recommend this book for ages 10 to 15.

10. Saving Mr.Terupt

Saving Mr.Terupt is the 3rd book in its series, after Because of Mr.Terupt, and Mr.Terupt Falls Again, but Rob Buyea has not run out of great ideas. This book is formatted where each chapter is from a different persons perspective, which I love. The story has Peter, Alexia, Danielle, Anna, Jeffery, Luke, and Jessica go into 7th grade. Their friendships break, but when they figure out that their old teacher Mr.Terupt might be fired because of budget reasons, they have to work together to stop it. Will they save Mr.Terupt? I have never enjoyed a 3rd book in a series so much as this one, and I liked how their friendships changed so much throughout the book. I recommend that you read the first 2 books first. Also I think this book would fit ages 9 to 12, but the first and second books are for ages 11 to 16.

11. Wednesday Wars

Wednesday Wars is a realistic, historical-fiction book. It is about a Presbyterian boy who has to stay with his teacher on Wednesday afternoons, because everyone else is at church or synagogue. His relationship with his teacher changes over the year, and he goes on many adventures: Being a Fairy in a Shakespeare play to get cream puffs, going to take back his sister who ran away, and many more. I appreciated how Wednesday Wars takes place during the Vietnam war, and many people are influenced by it. It is also amazing how this book shows how people can change over time. I recommend this book for ages 8 to 12.

12. If You're Reading This, It's Too Late

This is the second book of the secret series after The Name of This Book is Secret(#8), but it is a little more dark. Cass and Max-Everett who are the protaganists go of on a mission to find the homunculus. The homunculus is a monster who lives forever, and people think he bears The Secret. The Secret is unknown, but to powerful for anyone to have. They work for the Terces(secret back words) Society, and there enemy is the midnight sun who they are trying to protect the secret from. I love the characters in this book, and I would recommend this book for ages 9 to 13.

13. Heart of a Samurai

Heart of a Samurai is based on a true story about a Japanese boy named Manjiro. Manjiro is a poor young fisherman who got shipwrecked, and then saved by an American boat. Instead of going back to Japan, the captain of the boat adopts him and they head to America together. Will Manjiro fit in? Is America the right place for him to live? I enjoyed this book alot because it is interesting how Manjiro talks about how both countries think the other is barbaric. I recommend this book for ages 9 to 13.

14. Nicholas Again

Nicholas Again has the same great humor that Nicholas on Vacation(#4) and Nicholas and the Gang(#21) have. It is different from the other books because it involves more fights.There is not much to say about this book because it is exactly like Nicholas on Vacation. I did enjoy it because the dad is such a funny character. I recommend this book for ages 9 to 12

15. Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting is about a girl named Winnie who meets a family who lives forever. The family does not want their secret known, so when a mysterious man shows up at the familys house they knock him out. What will happen to the family when the police find out that they hurt someone? This book was very enjoyable. I loved how Winnie had to make so many hard decisions, and not tell anyone about the family. I recommend this book for ages 8 to 11. Also, if you end up reading this book there is also a movie of it.

16. Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider

This biography summarizes the life of one of our best founding fathers: Alexander Hamilton. From his tough childhood, to creating paper currency, to dying in a duel, Alexander Hamilton: the Outsider covers it all. I found it interesting how much Alexander Hamilton did to make America the place it is today. Most people know him for dying in a duel, and if you are one of those people, this book is great for you. Today the Treasury is thinking about removing Mr.Hamilton from the ten dollar bill. If you read this book, you can take part in this argument. I recommend this book for ages 9 and up.

17. The 8th Continent

The 8th Continent is a fiction story about two twins named Rick and Evie who set off to make a continent out of the garbage in the sea. They try to do this because they can have freedom there, and because Evies nemisis is trying to do the same thing. Meanwhile, their dad is imprisoned in his own house because he was trying to save a rare bird. He encourages Evie and Rick to build this continent so they can save more birds. He tells them how to transform the garbage into nature but they have to go on an adventure to find the last half of the formula. The 8th Continent is an easy,but enjoyable read. I loved how each character has a unique personality also. I recommend this book for ages 7 to 11.

18. Dead End in Norvelt

Dead End in Norvelt is about a boy named Jack. The story begins when Jack gets grounded for the summer. The only thing he can do outside of his house is help a slightly kooky old lady with with her job. Through the summer he becomes better friends with the old lady(Ms.Volker), so Ms.Volkers swain is becoming jealous. Meanwhile, it seems to the town that many of elderly ladies are dying quite fast. Ms.Volkers swain, Mr.Spizz, gets immediately onto the case. Who is the person who is killing all these old ladies? Why? Dead End in Norvelt is a hilarious comedy, and at the same time it is a meaningful book with lots of wise phrases. The beginning is slow, but once you get 10% through it it starts to get juicy. I recommend this book for ages 8 to 13.

19. A Tale Dark and Grimm

A Tale Dark and Grimm has fairy tales that you have never heard of before. This book made me shiver in my shoes with its dark, descriptive language, and wide-eyed with fear for the protagonist. If you are okay with the Devil being mentioned often, and a few gory scenes, this book was meant for you. I recommend this book for ages 8 to 11.

20. Endangered

Endangered is a fiction story about a girl named Sophie who encounters a war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sophies mom works at a bonobo shelter, so the story starts there. Sophies mom was away when people attacked their village. Sophie learns to live with the bonobos until a un truck comes to save them, but Sophie stays to keep the bonobos alive. She has to learn how to survive in the wild, until she finds her mother. The story is mediocre, because it is very predictable. On the other hand though I loved how much suspense there was. I recommend this book for ages 12 to 16 because there is a lot of killing.

21. Nicholas and the Gang

Nicholas and the Gang is a book of funny tales about a boy named Nicholas and his mischievous gang. From talking on the radio, to playing dodgeball in the classrom, Nicholas and the Gang has it all. This book made me ache with laughter with its hilarious characters. Some of the jokes are hard to understand for younger ages, so I recommend this book for ages 9 to 14.

22. From Norvelt to Nowhere

From Norvelt to Nowhere is nothing close to the first one in quality. Jack Gantos has Jack and Ms.Volker go on a crazy road trip to kill Mr.Spizz. This book has a clever twist at the end that is the best the part of the book. When I finished this book I was relieved that it had ended. The author(Jack Gantos)has clearly run out of ideas. I do not recommend this book, but if it sounds interesting this book would fit ages 9 to 12.

Book Reviews Coming Soon!_!

Millions~~~~~~~~~~~~~~By Frank Cottrell Boyce

Five, Six, Seven, Nate!~~~~~~~~~~~~By Tim Federle

Homeless Bird~~~~~~By Gloria Whelan