Comments

• Kinga Komlo

  Trudy by Jessica - Lee Anderson
  The issue Trudy faced was that her parents had her when they were in their fifties. Now when Trudy is in her teens, her parents can pass for being her grandparents. Everyone always mistakes Trudys mom and dad as her grandpa and grandma. To make matters worse, Trudys dad is coming down with old timers. It is a diese where he starts forgetting everything. He even forgets who Trudy is!
  Trudy always gets made fun of because she has old parends. Trudys dad suddenly forgets everything. He puts away the groceries in the bathroom cabinet, he dosent know where his house is and he starts mistaking his own daughter for his dead sister. Trudy and her mom decide to go to the doctor. The doctor says that Trudys father has old timers. Everything in Trudys life starts falling apart and her mom decides to sell the house. Trudy is hart-broken that she is going to have to leave the home she spent her whole life in.
  Even though Trudy is going through a lot in life, she keeps her head up high. She dosent let comments of her class mates get to her, and she tries to help her father remember things. Trudy is a 13 year old girl, who dosent have a lot of friends in school. When she finds out from her mom that they are moving, she tries her best to convince her to stay, because she dosent want to loose all the memories they had in their house.
  The setting takes place during present time, in Trudys home, school, and the hospital.
  I choose this book because I never saw the point-of-view of someone with old parents, and this book has given me the opportunity to see how it feels like to be made fun of because of your parents. I enjoyed how the author was able to make this book humerous, even though it was a serious problem for Trudy. I liked the part in the book when trudy meets a friend. Her name was Ro-Ro. I would suggest for author to make the book more interesting by making more exiting events. When I was reading it, it felt kind of boring at times.
  In this book the new thing I learned about was how to deal with moving to a new home. I learned that I should not make a big fuss over it, because if your parents plan moving, you will most likely move. It will make the experienc of moving more enjoyable if I just help my parents out with the process. After all, it is a big change for them too.
  I would reccommend this book to everyone who likes humor. It will make you burst out laughing at very unexpected time. [:

  5/13/2008 7:54:45 PM
• Hannah Wilson

  Title & Author: The Misfits by James Howe
  Name: Hannah
  Issue: The issue being addressed in this book is bullying.
  Beginning Summary: Skeezie, Addie, Joe, and Bobby are close friends. They found each other, due to them all being called the worst names by bullies. This book starts by describing qualities each character has, and giving examples of names they are called. Such as "Loser" or "Fatso" and many others. Then Addie wants to run for Student Council with her friends. Her friends believed they didn't stand a chance.
  Middle Summary: Addie and her friends start making campaign posters, and started gaining courage towards beating their rivals. They also get to know each other better by sharing a few secrets. One more thing they did was write down all the names bullies called them; and just laughed them off.
  End Summary: As the days toward the election get close, Addie and one of her friends write a speech. Meanwhile, Skeezie finds a crush, which leads to Addie and the gang teasing him, not in a rude way of course. The day of the election arrives.. Will they win?
  Setting: A Modern School
  Something I Learned: I learned that not all kids that get picked on by bullies are afraid to stick up for themselves.
  Main Character: The main character is Addie. She doesn't listen to the bullies mean comments, she doesn't think low of herself. Instead, she talks her friends into running for Student Council. Hoping to make a difference in the school.
  Connect: I can connect to this book, because I would be just like Addie. I would take a stand for what I believe is right, like when Addie stood up for her beliefs, and didn't say the pledge of Alligence.
  Tecommend : I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever been a target of bullies.

  5/15/2008 5:36:55 PM
• Jessica Roberti

  I read the blog by Kinga Komlo, and I think that sometime I would like to read that book. It seems very good. The book she read was: Trudy by Jessica - Lee Anderson.

  5/18/2008 2:18:11 PM
• Jessica Roberti

  Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie By: Jordan Sonnenblick
  Jessica Roberti
  The issue addressed in this book is about a family member who has leukemia.
  Before Steven's little brother, Jeffery, got sick, he thought he had a pretty O.K. life. He was in 8th grade, and he had a crush on the cutest girl in school, Renee Albert. Except Steven thinks Renee doesn’t think he exists. Steven is also an incredible drummer. Steven has a very good friend named Annette. Steven's little brother Jeffery was like any other little brother. He is 5 years old and is very cute, but annoys Steven all the time. One day Jeffery gets a serious nosebleed and is rushed to the hospital. That’s when Steven finds out that his little brother has cancer. Steven doesn't want to believe it at first but it slowly sinks in. Steven's mom had to take Jeffery to a hospital in Philadelphia, for a special treatment to help him fight the cancer. They had to be there for about a week. Meanwhile Steven went into a bit of depression because he felt so bad for his brother; and gradually Steven stopped doing is homework and started getting bad grades. His parents on the other hand didn't notice the decline in his grades because his mom was with Jeffery all the time in Philly. In addition, his dad never paid much attention to Steven because he was still so shocked about the fact that Jeffery has leukemia. Although Steven’s grades were getting worse, he always did well in his drum lessons. Usually when he played the drums he would loose all of his stress from the day and just play his heart out. Annette would always ask how Jeffery was doing because she cared about him so much; and Renee even talked to Steven about how she felt sorry for Jeffery. Even his teachers let him make up all his work when they found out that Jeffery had cancer. Pretty soon the All-City Jazz Band concert was coming up and Steven practiced on the drums like crazy! Even Jeffery was excited to see his older brother play for him. The All-City concert was actually a benefit concert for Jeffery that Annette and Renee thought of, because cancer treatments are very expensive. When the day of the concert came everyone was having a great time, knowing the concert was for a good cause. Everything was going great, until the first intermission. Suddenly Jeffery was not feeling very well. Steven then had to make a choice either to miss the biggest concert of his 8th grade life, or go with his brother to the hospital and comfort him on there way there. Which choice should Steven make?
  Steven is a guy who really cares for his brother. When Jeffery started his chemo therapy, he started to loose all his hair. Steven felt bad for his little brother, and decided to shave his head and look just like Jeffery. That’s how much Steven cares for his brother. Renee Albert, the girl Steven has had a crush on ever since he can remember, offered to tutor him in math because of his bad grades. When she came over though, she was catching a cold from the cold weather. Steven turned her down and sent her home because he did not want Jeffery to get sick. So as you can see, Steven really does love his brother, Jeffery.
  The setting of this story is in the United States in the Present. They are living in a town that is close to the city Philadelphia, PA.
  In my opinion this book, Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, was a very good book. It’s very sad for Steven’s little brother to have cancer. This makes me think of one of my parent’s friends who is fighting skin cancer. Reading this book makes me really hope that she gets better, and that the cancer will never come back. It makes me so sad when I think about a little boy, who is only 5 years old, getting diagnosed with leukemia.
  Something new or surprising that I learned from reading this book was that if you have a younger sibling, you really need to stick with them because they will need you in the future. You don’t want to break that bond; because if

  5/18/2008 3:16:08 PM
• Michael Lorusso

  Somewhere in the darkness by: Walter Dean Myers
  Michael Lorusso
  Issue:Jimmy's father Crab escaped from jail and is taking Jimmy across the country and Crab is in trouble.
  Summary:Jimmy lives with his grandma Jean and he has it pretty tough in Harlem. But then Crab comes and tells Jimmy that he is his father and wants Jimmy to go with him across the country. But Jimmy doen't know that the police are looking for Crab and that Crab is trtying to runaway. Jimmy finds out about Crab's life and his years in jai. Crab tells Jimmy that he didn't kill anybody and Crab will do anything to prove to his son that he is innocent.
  Jimmy deals with this problem by going with his dad and learning about his life and how Crab really does care about Jimmy.
  Setting: New york, Chicago, Arkansas, California
  Review: This book was good because it shows that just because your dad goes to jail doesn't mean he doesn't care about you. This book shows this because Jimmy accepts his father the way he is and believes his story and not the lies he has heard while his father was in jail. I also liked this book because I found it interesting to see how Crab gets Jimmy to belive him and what will happen next and will Crab ever get caught. An if he does what will happen to Jimmy because he is so far away from home.
  I learned that you should believe what people have to say to you and not the rumors you hear because only that one person would now exactly what hapened.
  Recommend: I recommend this book to anyone who has a father that isn't with them right now.
  

  5/18/2008 3:31:14 PM
• farai sewera

  Title and Author:The skin I'm In by Sharon G Flake
  Name:Farai
  The issue is that this African American girl named Maleeka who got emotionaly bullied because of how dark she was.
  beginning summary:Maleeka is a skinny, tall and dark girl who lives with her mother.Her schoolmates made fun of her because she was dark and she went to school with clothes her mother made for her.Her father had died in an accident and they didn't have any other support than him, so they couldn't afford to buy clothes.
  Middle summary:Maleeka was a very smart girl, and she got straight a's in all her classes.She was tired of people making fun of her so she decided to make a deal with the most popular girl at McClenton Middle School, Charlese.Yhe deal was that if Maleeka did Char's homework and let her copy from her in class, Char would bring Maleeka clothes to wear and stick up for her.Their deal worked but not for long.
  End summary:A new teacher starts to teach at McClenton, they called her Ms Saunders.Half of her face had a rare skin disease which made her face look like it was burnt.When Maleeka saw her she was relieved because compared to Ms Saundres Maleeka was beautiful.Ms Saunders knew what was happening between Char and Maleeka and she started giving Maleeka a hard time because she saw some potential in her.Char lived with her sister Juju who always threw parties so she had nothing to worry about when she got in trouble, so she started paying Ms Saunders back by vandalizing her things.How will it end ?.
  description:Maleeka is dark, skinny, unpopular and poor.She decides to solve her problem by making a deal with the most popular girl at her school.
  Setting:A Middle School
  time period:the 90's
  Review:I liked this book because things like that happen and if someone who has had the same experience as Maleeka they would feel better and not so lonely.
  I was surprised because a teacher like Ms Saunders left her job in the city to teach at McClenton, a school where most of the kids don't even care about education and the teachers don't teach properly.
  I would recommend this book to all the schoolchildren who are made fue of by their other schoolmates and anyone who likes to read excitng books.
  

  5/18/2008 5:00:44 PM
• Zach Schon

  Title and Author:The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
  Zach Schon
  Issue:Growing up amid gangs
  Summary:PonyBoy is fourteen years old, his brothers (Darry and SodaPop)are raising him because his parents died. Their friends and them live on the east side of town. This is the poorer side of town where you are considered a greaser or a hood or a juvenile delinquint. One night PonyBoy goes out with some of his friends and when he comes home late his older brother Darry hits him and he tries to run away from home with his friend Johnny (who is not liked at home either). They run to the park to cool down and a group of Socs jumps them and they end up killing one of the Socs. They seek help from their friend Dally who helps them get out of town. They live in an abandoned church for a week. At the end of the week a class on a field trip is having a picnic at the church when it catches on fire. PonyBoy and Johnny save the kids that were in trouble and become heroes. They do not get in trouble for killing the Soc. When one of them dies the greasers and the Socs have a big rumble (the gresers win) and one of the greasers gets shot while trying to rob a gas station later that week.
  Main character:The main character is PonyBoy who relies on his brothers and friends for help with all of his troubles. He also helps them through their tough times also.
  Setting:This story takes place on the eastern side of a bad city in Oklahoma during the 60's.
  It also takes place in a town called Windrixville out in the country.
  Review:I think this is a good book, it touches on the different types of people and how they work out their problems.
  What I learned:I learned that you shouldn't judge people because of where they come from or what they look like. I also learned most people have good in them.
  Recommendation:I would recommend this book to teenagers and young adults because they are the ones that can relate to the issues in this book.

  5/18/2008 6:09:25 PM
• La'Monique Weathers

  Mick Harte was here by Barbara Park
  La’Monique Weathers
  Death and Bicycle safety
  Mick was riding his bike and then he was hit by a truck and if he was wearing his helmet he might not have died.
  Phoebe who is his sister tells how she felt when she found out that Mick was killed.
  Describe the setting include the time period and place where the story occurs
  I thought this book was really good and I like it because it teaches you that helmets really do help.
  That helmet’s really do save lives and prevent concussions.
  Anybody who likes to read a good book.
  

  5/20/2008 1:07:00 PM
• Lakeia Elam

  SPEAK by: Laurie Halse Anderson
  Lakeia
  
  The book speak was a good book. It was fun,astonishing. When you read the summary it helps you want to read the book a little more. It makes you wonder. Well she called the police to cancel a party why no one knows what happened to her. Melinda has no friends because she called the police. No one likes her,they make fun of her,they call,her names. Melinda tries to hold it in but none of her best friends won't talk to her.melinda meets this girl named Heather and they talk a lot to each other. They are real good friends, they hang together,they go to each others house, and Heather thinks shes a fun person a does not care what other people say. I know you wondering why she called the police well youll have to read the rest of the book and see what happend all i have to say is it was not pretty it was a good book.

  5/20/2008 3:26:36 PM
• Hassanah Atcha

  What Mr. Mattero Did by Priscilla Cummings
  Hassanah Atcha
  There are 3 7th grade girls; Jenna, Suzanne, and Claire, who do not like being in Mr. Mattero's music class. they tell the principle that he sexually abused them in the band room where they were trying on outfits. The students and staff are trying to figure out if the teacher actualy abused them or if the girlos are lying. The whole situation gets out of hand when the police are involved and the girls' parents take them out of that school and transfer them to other schools within the county.
  The main characters in the book are Melody Mattero, and Clair Montague. Melody is trying very ahrd to deal with the situation with her dad. She is trying to be very supportive of her whole family, but it just doesnt work out. Her situation gets worse when she can't go to the place where she volunteers. Claire is trying to juggle school, homework, friends, and the issue of trying to be skinny. She constantly has knots in her stomach and a premonition about what is going to happen next.
  The story mostly takes place at Oakdale Middle and sometimes at Melody's work or her house.
  I personaly liked this book. I thought that the author had a good format to the book when she switched back and forth from the two main characters. I thought she had really good twists and turns in the book. I would definately read another one of her books.
  I learned that if you lie once, you'll have to keep lying to cover it up and eventually it will get so out of hand that it wouldn't be worth it to tell the lie and just to deal with the curent situation.
  I would recommend this book to people of my age group. 8th graders and 7th graders would likely enjoy this book.

  5/20/2008 5:18:08 PM
• Veronica Hejnar

  Title: Tall Tales
  Author: Karen Day
  Name: Veronica Hejnar
  
  Issue: The issue in my book, 'Tall Tales', was that Meg's father is an alcoholic. He had tried many times to quit but he always continues to drink. When he does drink he mentally and physically hurts Meg, her older brother Teddy, her younger sister Abby, and their mother. They continually have to move around because their father becomes unhappy.
  
  Summary: In this book it starts off with when Meg and her family justed moved from Michigan and its her first day of school. Meg has trouble making friends but quickly bonds with a girl names Grace and they immediately become friends. Since Meg feels embarrassed of her father, she notices when she talks to people she makes up stories. Later on though the lies get back at her. One day while her father is drunk and Meg arrives at home, they immediately have to take Teddy to the hospital because his arm is hurt. The people at the hospital notice that this could not have happened just by falling down the stairs, someone must have grabbed him. They go into a councilor office but no one mentions anything about their father. Meg tells Grace and her family about their father and they want to help. In the end Meg's mother gets the courage to stand up to their father and tell him the battles over, there moving away. Meg of course is sad because she does love her father but not when hes drunk. Graces family helps them by letting them stay at there home for a week or too and help Meg's mother find a job so they can start there life on there own.
  
  Main Character: My main character in my book was Meg. She was a normal girl with a big creativity who loved to make up stories. When her father was drunk she dealed with it by simply leaving him alone. She knew that if she said anything he would hurt her. She was usually scared of him but didn't show it because she had to be strong for her little sister.
  
  Setting: The setting of the story is Lake Haven, Indiana in present time. Mostly at Grace's house, Meg's house, or at school.
  
  Review: The story was okay but kind of boring to read. There wasn't a lot of action and the main character was only a 6th grader. I would have liked it better if maybe she was a little bit older. I did like the ending thought because it all turned out okay.
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read stories of house children over come something difficult in their family

  5/20/2008 5:25:39 PM
• Renee Orivida

  Kissing Doorknobs
  By:Terry Spencer Hesser
  This book issues on when a teenager has a disease, in particular, OCD.
  This book starts off by when a eleven year old girl by the name of Tara starts to see problems in her life.When she heard the saying, "step on a crack, break your mother's back" she started to think about it really hard. Then she worries if it will come true. Then after that she starts looking out for cracks, eventually counting cracks to make sure that she didn't miss one. More of these bad and annoying routines come along, including kissing doorknobs.
  In the middle of the book Tara and her family sees her annoying routines, and starts seeing her problem. Eventually Tara and her mother gets into fights because of her problem. In particular one of Tara's newest routines, when somebody swears she starts praying for them. This get Tara's mother irritated, which leads her to fight. Even her friends seem to betray her, due to her wired condition. Until she finds another best friend Donna. Donna and Tara begins to hangout, resulting a great friendship, due to her routines. Then they find out that Tara has OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) For the result of this she gets therapy. Also she finds a boy, who also has OCD. This boy is named Sam. Sam also works with the same therapist as Tara. Become good friends.
  In the end Tara gets better form her OCD. She now has back her old friends that betrayed her. But now Sam has a big problem from his OCD. Now she wants to help him overcome his OCD like he did to her.
  What i learned from this book is that how hard it is to get rid of OCD. Also in the beginning I didn't really know anything about OCD. But when i read this book I understood the struggle for OCD victims.
  I would recommend this book to anybody who likes real-life situations for teenagers.
  

  5/20/2008 5:58:30 PM
• Andrea Caravello

  A Child Called It By: Dave Pelzer
  Andrea Caravello
  Issue: Child Abuse
  Summary: Dave is a child and his mom is always abusing him. Dave is the only one out of his brothers that gets abused by his mom. She makes him clean up the house. The mom doesn't let him eat until he has finished all of his chores. David starts realizing that his mom is not going to get any nicer to him. David tells his teacher and the school starts making David's life better. The main character of the story is David who gets abused by his mom.
  Setting: Califonia
  Review: I chosed this book because I think it is important to know how people get treated in the world. This book teaches lesson that if your having problems out in the world that you should tell someone it makes your life easier.
  New and Surprising: The thing that i found surprising is how someone could treat a child that bad.
  Recommendation: I recommend this book to whoever likes sad books because this book is really sad. I also recommend this book to people who are facing hard times in there life.
  

  5/20/2008 7:05:56 PM
• kinga

  I read the book that Jessica Roberti read "Drums, Girls, and Dangreous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick. It was a great boook && i really enjoyed it!
  ♥

  5/20/2008 7:44:15 PM
• Patrick Kasch

  Bang! by Sharon G. Flake
  
  Patrick Kasch
  
  The issues addressed in the book. - The death of a brother and how he deals with the death. The abandonment by his father and how deals with that.
  
  Summery of the book. - Mann's brother gets shot and Mann has a hard time dealing with losing his brother. Mann goes camping and gets left behind by his father to help him become a man. Mann is on his own to get home. Mann gets in trouble with the police because of a dispute with a customer that he is painting for.
  
  Description of the main character. - Mann is a black, 14 year old boy who lives in the inner city. Mann deals with the death of his brother by crying about his death. Mann deals with the abandonment by his father by finding his own way home. Mann deals with his problems with the police by hiding.
  
  The setting takes place in the 2000's and in the inner city and a wilderness setting.
  
  I would give this book an eight out of ten because it was a cliff hanger.
  
  I learned that you can get shot from looking at someone wrong, stepping on their new shoes or just saying something they don't like.
  
  I would recommend this book to any 8th grader.
  

  5/20/2008 7:51:18 PM
• Andrea Caravello

  Child Called It By: Dave Pelzer
  Andrea Caravello
  Issue: Child Abuse
  Summary: The story is about David a young child who gets abused by his mom. He is the only one out of his brothers that get abused. David's mom does not let him eat with the family and he usually does not get to eat. David goes to school and everyone makes fun of him. David gets abused every time his mom drinks a lot. David deals with this problem for many years in his life. David feels that he needs to tell someone about his problem. David tells his teacher. David's teacher helps him deal with his problem with his mom. The main character is David the child who gets abused by his mom.
  Review: I picked this book because this book gives you a lesson that when you have problems in life that you should always tell someone so they can help you out.
  New and surprising: the thing that I thought was surprising was how David's mom treat him so badly and how he lived with his mom for so many years.
  Recommendation: I recommend this book to people who like sad stories. This book is a very sad story. I also recommend this book to people who have problems in life because this book tells you how to deal with them.
  

  5/20/2008 8:17:23 PM
• Joey Biundo

  I really think that the book Mike Larusso read sounds interesting I think I'll start reading once I finish the on I'm on now, I wanna find out what happens to Crab in the end

  5/20/2008 9:07:08 PM
• Carolyn Salise

  Title: Mother, Please Don't Die
  Author: Lurlene McDaniel
  Name: Carolyn Salise
  Issue: In this story, the issue that is being
  addressed is loosing a mother that was dearly loved.
  
  Summary:
  In this story, there was a family of
  the McCaffery. They were your typical average
  family. It starts off as Megan McCaffery coming
  home from a softball game she had. She was very
  excited about what happened at the game. She was
  reminded by her sister not to be loud because her
  mom was relaxing, it had seem that she was
  sick at the time. She has this guy friend that she has
  known for a while, and his name was John-Paul.
  She becomes jealous with John-Paul because he
  was with this girl Becky, and it turns out that Megan
  was having feelings for John-Paul again.
  This story basically has different stories in one,
  but then again its all one story. Then the family becomes
  a little worried about their mom, so they decide to
  bring her to the hospital. They find out why she was
  having headaches a lot. To find out what, you HAVE
  to read the story!
  
  Characters:
  - Mr. & Mrs. McCaffery, Megan McCaffery,
  Audrey McCaffery, and Thad McCaffery: They are deal
  with the adressed issue because their whole family had
  to deal with what happend to Mrs. McCaffery.
  - John-Paul: He deals with the issue that is being addressed
  because he helps Megan McCaffery out when she doesn't
  even ask. He seemed to be always there for her. It was
  actually really cute. [= <3
  
  Setting:
  - The setting of the story seemed to be in the mid
  1980's. There were a lot of places where this story
  had occurred. The places were: their home, the park,
  the hospital, Megan McCaffery's school, and a church.
  
  Connect:
  - This story sort of reminds me of my own life. It wasn’t a
  mother that I lost, but I did loose a grandfather that I loved
  dearly. ]'=
  
  What I learned:
  - I learned a lot in this story. I learned that there are so
  many different kinds of tumors, and about how some are
  fatal, and some you can treat. My favorite part in this story
  was when she got the guy, as in John-Paul. It was just a
  really cute way to what John-Paul did to her.
  
  Do I recommend it?
  - I really do recommend this book! It’s a sad book, but
  then again, its a cute book at some parts. So, I think
  you should read it!

  5/20/2008 10:28:45 PM
• Kassandra Avilez

  I have read Jessica Roberti's Book Which was Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie By:Jordan Sonnenblick, and I did like the book! I thought that the book was an inspiring story for brothers and sisters who have a younger sibling with cancer because it tells us how Steven handled his little brother, Jeffrey's cancer situation carefully and patiently.

  5/20/2008 11:49:47 PM
• Teleissa Marquez

  " It's Hard To Say" By: Mark Shawn
  Teleissa Marquez
  Xio like's Fredrick, but Fredrick thinks he is gay.
  Fredrick moves to his new house, He meets new friends and hangs out with them, he finds out what he truley is.
  Xio: A 8th grader, a girl, likes Xio Fredrick: 8th grader, a boy, thinks he is gay
  In california, 2004 (it says dates in the book)
  I can connect with Xio and Fredrick one because of Xio I am a eigth grader and with Fredrick when i moved to my new house it was really hard to make friends at first.
  I was suprised to know that Fredrick at this age already felt that he was gay but wasn't sure.
  I would recommend this book to kids 7th- 12th grade.

  5/21/2008 9:33:35 AM
• Kristen Roberts

  Chicken Soup Teenage Soul 2
  Jack Canfield,
  Mark Victor Hansen,
  and Kimberly Kirberger
  101 More Stories of Life, Love, and Learning
  The book I read was about so many things as you can see, Life, Love, and Learning. The part that I liked the most was the Love. There was one specific that I did enjoy reading. It was about this girl that enjoyed messing around with her older sisters make-up and all instead of her barbie dolls and stuff. Her older sister started to bring home older guys to her house, and one night this one guy came over for her sister and it ended up being that the older sister was not Home. Something happened if you want to know, READ IT! The story is called "Starlight, Star Bright".

  5/21/2008 9:39:58 AM
• Randi Bleiss

  Title: Sticks and Stones
  Author: Beth Goobie
  Name: Randi Bleiss
  The Issue in the Book is that a Girl named "Jujube" is being mad fun of in here school everyday. After a while it started to make her up set. she doesn't know what to do at this time. She has to deside what she could possible do to fix all this khaos.
  The Summary in the book is that the main characer is in a situation that she has to get out of some how. It is making her get destracted in class. It is messing up her life in alot of ways.
  Jujube is a teen-ager. She is a very nice girl. At the end she starts to get shy and not talk to alot of people.
  The setting is in her school. At the dance.
  I can conncet to this book too because if i was in jujubes position i would be very upset. i would also do exacly what she did. I don't plan her at all.
  I learned in this book that some guys could be jerks and to never give into peer-pressure. It is a stupid thing people have to go through.
  I would recommend this book to a teen ager girl that puts them self out for being a little sluty.
  :]
  

  5/21/2008 12:29:34 PM
• Alyssa Covarrubias

  Title: A Series Of Unfortunate Events # 1
  Author: lemony Snicket
  
  THis book is about 3 kids (Violet, Klaus, and Sunny.) Their parents died in a house fire when a towel was thrown on teh stove and it caught fire. Their parents and their house were completly burned to the ground. Then kids' friend Mr. Poe had to tell them the bad news. Teh kids ahd to go live with their uncle Count Olaf. He hates kids he doesn' like them at all.Tehy have to live with him and the only thing he wants is the money. HE is gonna keep Violet and the others so when Violet is of age she can get teh money and he can take it. Tehy are also suffering and HATE it there and want to leave.

  5/21/2008 12:31:21 PM
• Yana Drozd

  Never Mind by Avi and Reachel Vail
  Meg and Edward are twins who are very different. Meg wants to be in a High Achievers Club while edward is trying to ruin her chances and get int he way of everything. Kimberly is the smartest and kindest person in theur schooland the main person in the club,she calls Meg about a party on saturday and stars asking questions about a roomer that meg has a twin brother. One lie leads to another and now her brother supposidly is a genius musican who has a rock band, which he really is not. Edward makes up a name called "Never Mind" and finds some people to play in it. Because of the lie, the twins get into trouble but find their way out of it. Later, Edward calls Kinberly that his band wil play at her party. The band even makes up five songs to play in one day. Meg was amazed at Edward because she made the whole thing up and there she sees Edward in that inaginary bend playing at that party. The twins' parents come in too, but they were supposed to be somewhere else. Edward also saw a policeman by the door and assked everyone out because of a complaine from the neighbors. Everything gets back to normal on the next day.

  5/21/2008 12:34:22 PM
• Joey Biundo

  Shooter by Walter Dean Myers
  Joey Biundo
  A school shooting.
  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book it is compelling, suspensfull, and mysterious. In the first couple of chapters a boy named Cameron, who is basically the main character, he is an athletic african-american and who is looking for a place to belong. In the begining he is mild mannered and calm but later on the story unravels his insecurity and wanting to belong. The story is very modern and deals with todays issues with teens and bullys, it also occurs in an interviewing room most of the time with the 3 main characters. Later on in the book they start talking about a boy named Leonard, the entire story is based around him and his friends, and how he doesn't fit in. After several interviews with Cameron they start interviewing a girl named Carla who was once intimat with Leonard and is good friends with Cameron. Toward the ending they tell you why theese kids are being interviewed and what happened to Leonard, the "incident". This book is very interesting because they show the signs and starts of a school shooting. They also show how much people want to belong and will do anything to feel safe and secure. An interesting thing is that most people can see the signs of a school shooting before it happens. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading as much as I do, not a whole lot but this book changed that, and is looking for a good way to kill time.

  5/21/2008 2:03:29 PM
• jake grief

  Jake Grief
  Slam Walter Dean Myers
  
  The main character, Greg "Slam" Harris is living in the suburbs or New York. He attended a mostly black school. Until the school, Carver High School, was divided and he was chosen to go to Latimer High School. The school is mostly white, not known for sports, and for mostly smart students. Slam isn't particular smart, and he is black, but he CAN play basketball. Just as good as anyone. He has a bestfriend named Ice and a, sort of, girlfriend named Mtisha. He really really likes her. Slam makes the basketball team at Latimer and the coach gives him a hard time. They actualy win all their games except one. His best friend Ice also plays ball and is just as good as Slam. They face off before the tournament. Slam and Latimer pull of the win! To upset the undefeated defending champs, Carver. They still have to play in the tournament. Greg is not doing so hot in school, but is getting his head on straight. Also, his girlfriend Mtisha suspects Ice of dealing, Crack. Slam, in a way, asks Ice and he says no. Then to celebrate Slam's win Ice throws a party. At the party a crack-head is begging for crack and threatening to kill herself if she doesn't get it. Ice and Slam go outside to check it out. The fiend gets her crack. But from who?
  Slam is the main character and is doing amazing in basketball but his grades aren't so hot. He is failing and just almost and just passing. He almost is losing his girlfriend Mtisha and his bestfriend Ice. He and Mtisha suspect Ice of selling crack to afford things he wants. The other main character is Ice, he is just as good as Slam at basketball and maybe even better. He attends Carver high school, Slam's old school. He and Slam are bestfriends. But Ice might be selling crack and going down the path of many gangsters or thugs before him. What will Ice do and what will Slam find out?
  The setting is in the ghetto of New York. The characters are living in the 'Hood and trying to make a better lives for themself. At least one of them is. Slam is attending an all white, almost, prep school. While Ice attends another high school in the suburbs of New York. A mostly black school. Ice and Slam, bestfriends, face eachother in basketball and Slam's team comes out on top. Surprisingly enough. They throw a party for Slam's victory. Ice finds out there is a crackhead outside of his house and goes to check it out. Slam goes out to check on his friend. But, he finds his friend reasoning with the crackhead. What is he reasoning with though. The crackhead is threatening to kill herself if she doesn't get a crack pipe and she is begging Ice for crack. Slam does not understand why the crackhead is asking Ice for crack.
  Something surprising about this book is that it's true that drugs is an everyday problem in the "ghetto." Also, it's surprising that the author could depict it so clearly. The story is so tentative and it keeps yu looking forward to what's going to happen next.
  I would recommend this book to anyone who is captivated by true life in the ghetto. Also, if you don't know what it's like in a community like this one, then you should read this book. I am aware of the situations in this book and know people who have dealt with them. Great book, 5 stars.

  5/21/2008 4:43:44 PM
• Asif khan

  The Beast by Walter Dean Myers.
  The beast about a kid name Anthony spoons. He has a great life but he has to go to Walling academy. After two or three month he comes back to Harlem where he lives and finds out that his girlfriend Garbilla is acting werid like once Anthony said to go for a walk she denies it. Then Anthony finds out one night when he goes to her house to check on her he finds a dirty needle by her bed. Then the next day he goes to the hospital because one of girlfriends friend is in hospital. Gabrilla saids that her brother is not on drugs like she is.Plus Anthony has a doubt on her for cheating on him Garbilla asked for a second chance. Garbilla said the reason why she takes the dirty needle is she feels alittle deprssed and sad. The next day Anthony and his friends are caught by the cops. One of Anthony's friends tells anthony about his life how is sister is pregnet. Then the next day anthony sees Garbilla and looks more skinny. Garbilla talks about kids and how she wants her to be like. Garbilla startes to know the feeling of love and stops to take drugs.

  5/21/2008 4:52:07 PM
• David Tando

  The Chocolate War
  David Tando
  Jerry Renault is told by that he has to sell chocolate for a school. He refuses so the vigils a gang in the school star to make his life miserable to get him to sell chocolate.Then the vigils make a raffle. Ant one that buys a raffle ticket writes something that Jerry or Emile Janza will do to each other.
  Jerry Renault is a freshman that goes to Trinity High School. He is quiet, and brave. With the situation he deals with it quietly and doesn't tell his dad. Jerry just excepts it. When they call him constantly during the whole day he doesn't call the cops, or when he is beaten up he still doesn't call the cops.
  It doesn't tell me the time period. The setting is Trinity School, and some at his house.
  In a way I have bean shuned by my class mates and I know how it feels to be picked on by a bunch of bullies that tell people what to do.
  I found suprising that the head master of the school, Brother Leon, was in on it and asked the Vigils to get all the chocolate sold.
  I would recommend this book to people that like a book that has a little action, and like to hear a person get picked on.
  

  5/21/2008 5:07:09 PM
• Mariella Payomo

  Teen Idol by Meg Cabob
  Mariella Payomo
  The issue in this book is a girl named Jenny Greenley who is best friends with everybody because she is so nice. Then there is a celeberty named Luke Striker that comes to their highschool and she is the only student who knows about it. But then the whole school finds out because of a car wash that the chior is having and he attends.
  In the beginning, it explains her usual life style and then her finding out about Luke Striker coming to their school. The middle is about how everybody finds out that Luke is going to their school because the chior had a car wash to get money for their chior dresses. And Luke took off his shirt and it showed a tatoo of his ex girlfriends name on his arm and everybody practically knew about it. He had also asked Jenny to go to Spring Fling with him. In the end, Luke was in love with this girl named Geri who had recently broke up with this boy named Scott who Jenny is in love with. Jenny doesnt seem to mind that Geri and Luke are together though because Luke and her were only friends.
  Jenny Greenley is the main character and she deals with the issues because shes supposively the nicest girl in school and yet she is dealing with all these boy/friend drama. And she also gets into a fight with her best friend, Trina.
  The setting of this book is in Clayton High School in Indiana. Its around our period of time because this happens to all highschoolers.
  Im connecting to this book in a way because all high schools have this problem with guys or gossip going around. It also connects because of all the drama and their popularity at school.
  Something I found surprising i learned from this book is that love is kind of mysterious. You never know who or when to love someone.
  I recommend this book to practically all girls and whoever likes hearing about high school and such things.
  
  Yes, I have read another book out of the teen listings. It was called "Pictures In The Dark". I found that book interseting and it became one of my favortie books.

  5/21/2008 5:17:55 PM
• Renee Orivida

  Oh! and also part of Kissing Doorknobs it takes place at present time.
  
  Also i also read the book Mick Harte Was Here.
  I really loved that book! It's a really good read!

  5/21/2008 5:44:42 PM
• Elizane Mitchell

  Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones
  Elizane Mitchell
  Bullying
  At the beginning Patrice barely gets past a group of boys,who in paricular Eddie and Rasheed, calling her puffy. Along with other rude comments about her hair and family. She is only able to escape thanks to their leader, Monty, that showed his sympathy towards Patrice by oredering them to lave her alone. Once she gets to her apartment she takes care of her two cousins, Nefrititi and MarcAnthony. Even doing her chores while her guardian, Aunt Mae,is at work. Then Patrice accepts Monty's offer to tutor his little brother, Michael. Also she learns of a scholarship for a prestigous African American boarding school in Mississippi.which thanks to the encouragement of the principal and Monty, she decides to enter. Unfortunately, she finds out that she needs her mother, who is in prison, to the application. Although Monty and Patrice become friends as they spend more and more time together.Then one day Patrice is cornered on the stairs by Rasheed and Eddie, but escapes from them before they could do any real harm by fighting back. Though when Monty becomes aware of this he fights them and is in trouble afterthe principle witnesses it. Thankfully, Patrice is able to say that it was her fault. In addition, revealing the truth about what happened with Eddie and Rasheed. Afterwards Patrice is aleto rech her mother in prison to get the application signed. Thanks to Monty selling the watchhis father gave him for the money o get there. Lastly, Patrice finally gets what she worked so hard for.
  Patrice is skinny, has poofy hair, shy, intelligent, helpful, and hard working.
  She solved her isue by standing up for yourself, telling the principal, and having Monty for a friend.
  I can connect to this book because I used to be bullied and shy like Patrice.
  I learned as long as people have good fiends, telling someone you trust,ad having the courage to stand up for yourself. Any bully r bullies can be stopped.
  I recommend this book to people who are or have been bullied.

  5/21/2008 6:01:27 PM
• Elizane Mitchell

  I think Trudy is a valiant character because she still keeps her head high. Even though she is teased at school and her father has a serious illness.

  5/21/2008 6:11:16 PM
• Rachel Lechuga

  The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer
  Rachel Lechuga
  Issue:child abbuse
  Summary:The lost boy is the sequal to A child called "It" this story is the continuation of Dave Pelzer's life. When he was little he'd get abused by his mom. He gets sent to over 10 different foster homes. At school Dave finds "friends" that only lead him into trouble and get him sent to juvi. After they win a trial with Dave's mom and he can't go back and live with her. He is still haunted by his mom and thinks shes going to snatch him away while hes sleeping. He gets creepy dreams about her and how she stabbed him when he was little. When he lived with his mom she pretty much brainwashed him and made him belive that he was a bad kid and deserved everything he got. He gets put into a foster home where he gets along with some of the other kids in there as well. Larry becomes one of Dave's friends while hes at the foster home. Dave ends up staying there until he is 18.
  The setting takes place at Dave's school and all the foster homes he stays at. The thing that surprised me about this book is that he had the courage to run away from his mom because he was sick of being abused. I would recomend this book to everyone because its very interesting to learn how Dave deals with him mom and having to live with different people.

  5/21/2008 6:20:14 PM
• Nicole Bloch

  Island Summer
  By: Jeanine Le Ny
  
  School just got out a day before, and Nikki's parents the morning of going to Bella Island changed their minds to say she couldn't go. Instead they wanter her to work at their family deli. She is so disappointed when this happens, because this means she had to work with her parents and twin brothers all summer! One day when she is delivering some food to a house across the towns bridge she falls of her bike and this cute guy rushes over to help her up. Daniel (the cute guy) asks her out a few days later and they take their dogs for a walk on the beach. The the day after he asks her to meet his wealthy aunt and go out on his sail boat. She said it was perfect but he didn't kiss her? did he not like her, or maybe he didn't feel she wanted it. A week later at the local carnival she meets up with Danny and they go on a bunch of rides and play millions of games, at the end of the carnival he goes to kiss her, but nikki's parents see them and scream for nicole's name. She didn't get the kiss. In the mean time her ex best friend hanah and her now have a job together and they decided to be friends again. Hanah notices the Danny, is never avaible certain days of the week... Hanah and her investigate. They don't find anything, and they get caught, by Danny. Blair her best friend in belle Island called her that day to tell her there was going to be a party and that she should come out there for a long weekend. hewr parents agree, but she has to take her brothers too. She agrees and then also invites Hanah and Danny, but Danny couldn't go because he had a family thing, but he said when she got back she had a suprise for her. Hanah, Paul, Vince, and her go to Bella Island and friday all the girls do blair in cluded lay out a tan while the boys go surfing and play sand volleyball.
  That night at the party Blair was going to have Nikki meet her new boyfriend and he arrives when she is with Hanah, she turns around, and it's Danny?what no it can't be but is it?read to find out if it is or not and what happens if it is him.
  
  Nikki- the main character who meets Danny.
  Blair- Nikki's best friend who goes to Bella Island.
  Hanah- Nikki's ex best friend in the beggining and in the end friends again.
  Danny- Nikki's crush that she wants to be her boyfriend but does he have other plans, like playing her?
  Vince and Paul- Nikki's older bothers. Their twins.
  Mom- Nikki's mom they don't say her name.
  Dad- Nikki's dad they don't say his name either.
  
  The setting is on Pelican Island and Bella island and at the family deli and other little places, such as the carnival and the sail boat and an abbandoned beach and Danny's house.
  
  I read this book because I read a another book in this series but it has different characters and this was the second book so I tried it and i came to find it had an issue right after this book report was assigned so I knew it would be perfect to do.
  
  This book was really different from any other book I have read even the other book in this series because i usually read sad and depressing books and his was a more kind of you don't know whats going to happen next book.
  
  I would recommend this book to other girls, not so much guys because i don't think they would enjoy it. But on the other hand girls would find this book interesting and want to find out what was going to happen next because i know i couldn't put the book down.
  

  5/21/2008 6:53:47 PM
• Kassandra Avilez

  Swimming To America By:Alice Mead
  Kassandra avilez
  Issue:Where she came from and what she will do to help her friend's family.
  Summary:Linda Berati, an eighth grade girl that is 13 years old and lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, only knows that her parents are Albanian and her little sister, Tina, is American. So where does that leave her? As Linda tries to unfold the secrets behind her background, by questionong her mother and having flash backs as nightmares, she discovers more secrets and learns about her and her mother's life and that mysterious scar on her mother's face! On the other hand, her friend Ramon and his family fall into a deathly situation with a couple of drug dealers. All because of Ramon's older brother Miguel. also, Andrei, Miguel's partner in crime and also the supposedly poor habor man that Linda found in her secret hideout, lied to Linda and helped Miguel get him and his family into big trouble, that is having to do with the couple of drug dealers.
  Characters: Linda, Linda's mother, Linda's father, Ramon, Miguel, Andrei, Nadia:Ramon's older sister, Mrs.Nieves:Ramon's mother, Miss.Weasley:Linda's teacher, Donna and Crissy:Linda's other friends.
  Setting: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
  Connect: I can make a connection to this book because I have been in a couple of ruff situations like Linda has.
  Things I've learned: In this book I learned that people shouldn't keep secrets from their kids that are having to do with their background and I also learned that if you really want something you have to really fight for it and Linda fought for a couple of things in this story!!
  Recommend: Yes, I would recommend this book to my friends because it's a great book, and I liked how Linda figured out those situations, not only by herself but also with family and friends by her side!:D

  5/21/2008 9:39:35 PM
• Ruben Murillo

  My book is called Truth and Salsa. The author of it is Linda Lowery. The main characters are Grandma Anne, Hayley, and Broncco. Hayley is 13 years old and her grandma is Anne. Granma Anne helps Hayley to learn about Mexico because she knows nothing about it. Broncco is the boy that Hayley meets in Mexico while she’s over there. The problem is that Hayley wants to know about her family unity. So that’s why she goes to Mexico with Grandma Anne. But then she falls in love with Broncco while she’s at Mexico. Then she finds out the bad news, she has to go back home. So then she told her grandma if Broncco could go with them, then she said yes. So at first Hayley didn't want to go to Mexico because she thought that it was dumb, but then grandma said that she was going with her. So they went and that is how Hayley fell in love with Broncco in Mexico.

  5/21/2008 10:36:46 PM
• Isaac Akinrinade

  Title and Author: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
  Name: Isaac Akinrinade
  Issue: Trying to fit in when nobody likes you.
  Summary: Melinda Sordino, is a nineth grader, that goes to Merryweather High. Nobody there likes her because she ruined an end-of-summer party by calling the police. She called the police because something happend to her at the party and it as been haunting her since that night. Now she has lost all of her friends because of this. She become an outcast and she doesn't talk to anyone at school. But later, she reveals the secret that has been following her since the night of the party.

  5/21/2008 10:42:32 PM
• Nicole Devereux

  One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones
  Nicole Devereux
  Issue: Death and Changes
  Summary:
  - This book is about a girl named Ruby, its basically about what happens after her mother dies and she needs to go live with her father who left her mother before she was born in LA. She ends up having to leave her amazing boyfriend, Ray. The only time she ever got to see her father was in the theaters. He's a famous actor who cares more about winning awards for best actor, best movie, etc. than to even go visit his 15 year old daughter. Sooner or later she finds out her boyfriend is starting to do things with her bestrfiend, Liz and they end up dating. Things start to fall downhill after that but read the book to find out more. All in all, Ruby really learns how to handle life in a new way and look at things from other perspectives.
  Main Character:
  - She's a 15 year old girl named Ruby who happens to live about 3 thousand miles away from the father she's never met in her life. When her mother dies, and she finds out she has to go live with someone she absolutely can't stand. She also has to deal with the changes in friends and having to leave the closest people with her behind.
  Setting:
  - This book takes place in many places around the United States. Ruby grew up in Boston, MASS. but once her mother died she had to end up living near Hollywood, California in L.A. everyone thought Hollywood and L.A. where suppose to be so glamrous and relaxing but Ruby just wanted to go back to Boston.
  Connect:
  - In this book Ruby's mother died, but it reminded me alot of the time my great-grandmother died because we had to go threw alot of rough changes afterwards.
  Something New I Learned:
  - In L.A., California it isnt common to see Hollywood Stars everywhere, and you can get a ticket for crossing the street at the wrong time!
  Recommendation:
  - I would probably recommend this book to teenage girls ages 13 - 15 because it's alot about a girl who has to leave her boyfriend and changes with bestfriends most guys would'nt clearly understand. Also, I'd recommend this book to people who like easy reading because everything in this book was written out like a poem.

  5/21/2008 11:34:00 PM
• Dnesha Jones

  Black And White/Paul Volponi
  Dnesha Jones
  Crime
  Black and White is about 2 boys( black-Marcus and White-Eddie). Black and White does a stick up. Black doesn't know that the guy is black until they run up on him. White accidentally shoots the guy in the head.For a couple of days, they wonder if the guy servives and they go with their life until 2 detective arrest Marcus. They guy survived and pointed out Marcus in the school yearbook. The Detectives tries to get Marcus to tell them who else was involved, but Marcus wouldn't tell. The detectives finally figures out that Eddie was involved. They arrest Eddie and Eddie gets out on bail. Eddie and Marcus never went to jail because neither 1 of them would speak about what had happend.

  5/22/2008 11:20:29 AM
• Dnesha Jones

  I read the book that Jake Grief And Asif read. Both books was really good. I love how Walter Dean Myers Write his story on kids in the project. He's the best arthor I ever read

  5/22/2008 11:24:55 AM
• Stephanie Barrera

  Title: Pictures On The Dark
  Author: Patricia McCord
  Issue: The issue is child abuse, two girls are afraid of their mom.
  Summarize:Sarah and Carlie are scare of their
  mom because she is always punching them and leaving them with no food to eat. But one day their luck change because their mom a job and she wasn't going to be there all day like she used to. One day Carlie got a date with the boy she like named Jesse, but she had nothing to wear to her date. So she went to her mom's closet and start to try her mom's dresses. This time they're mom got earlie from work and saw Carlie using her dress, and she started punching her and troughing her stuff. The next morning of the accident Carlie run away. Nobady knew nothing about her. 3 days past and Carlie went home and they told her that her mom is in jail. They were a typical 1950's family.

  5/22/2008 11:30:34 AM
• Delvon Moneyham

  The title of my book name is "That was then this is now" The author of my book is S.E.Hilton. My book was about two Friends that were cool since preschool and the were Freshman in highschool.This all happened in 1997 in .When Mark on of the two buddies were in a relationship with this girl.The girl and Mark had a relationship since 5 months ago. So one day when bryon wanted to go rob a store Mark would usually got ith him but he ditch his buddy for his girl.The bryon and Mark goy in a fight over the girl he said there relationship is falling apart beczaause the girl.Will it be the end of there friendship.The problem was a girl Friend shiop.This book remind me of a guy i know who ditches friends for girls.

  5/22/2008 12:11:11 PM
• Teleissa Marquez

  Title And Author: "So Hard to Say" By: Mark Sanchez
  Name: Teleissa Marquez
  Issues: The three main issues that were in this book were one, that Fredrick couldn't make friends at his new school and that he wasn't sure if he was gay or if he was straight because he didn't know how to tell, and Xio liking Fredrick but Fredrick didn't like her and didn't want to tell her.
  Summary(Begining): Xio wanted to have a boyfriend but evreybody was taken, And from Fredrick's point of view Fredrick thought Xio was one of his really good friends.(Middle) Xio starts to like fredrick but Fredrick doesn't like Xio and she really doesn't understand why. She thinks that she is to ugly to go out with anybody.(End)Xio finds out the reason why Fredrick doesn't want to go out with her and is very disgusted.
  Main Charcters: Xio- Xio is in 8th grade. Xio also likes Fredrick, and she really wants a boy friend. She emmigrated from Mexico with her family when she was only 5 years old. The way that she deals with the issues in the book is by asking Fredrick "Why he doesn't wnat to go out with her," and she also tries to convince Fredrick that he could tell her anything. Fredrick- He is an 8th grade boy that is full white and he was born in California. Scince he was little he always wanted to know how you can tell th diffrence between Gay and Straight becaus ehe wanted to know which one he was. Fredrick solved his problem by researching the topic and seeing if he like boy's or girl's.
  Setting:The time was the 21st century. It took place in a middle class town and they lived in town homes 5 houses away from each other. It took place In Florida. It also took place at there middle school "Wild Cats Central."
  Review: I liked this book alot because it talked about all types of issues that regular teenagers will go through. I also liked the way that the author set the story. The reason that I liked this story alot is because there was alot of events going on, and after each chapter the author would leave you hanging.I learned: I learned that if you have any type of true indian blood like Cherokee or Blackfoot you could get a Scohlar Ship for college.
  Recommend: I would recommend this book to kids 6th through 11th grade. The reason that i would recommend this book to them is because it has things that you go through life as a teenager.
  

  5/22/2008 1:15:59 PM
• Angelica Lugo

  Absoluteltly positevly not... David Larochelle
  Angelica Lugo
  The issue in this book is that steven thinks hes gay but doesnt want to tell anyone.
  The main character is steven and he thinks he might be gay but hes not sure. This issue started when he had a handsome substitute come in and teach. He notices the way he dreesed etc. He deals with this by trying to buy a magazine with women in it to see if he likes it. But it doesnt work so later on in the story he talks to his friend rachel and she helps him go to a group for gay teens. The group helps him a come out.
  The time period is in school time and at school. The setting is in his classes mostly and at home with his friends and family members.
  The book absolutely positevly is about a boy who thinks he might be gay ever since he thought his substitute was handsome. So he trys to find ways to find out if hes gay buying magazines,asking his father questions,and telling his friend rachel. The boy trys to find out by dating almost 20 girls but he doesnt seem interested in any girls. He does think a classmate is cute but hes a guy. Later on steven tells his parents that hes gay but they dnt believe him until steven wants to go to a meeting for gay teens. Steven trys to sit with the hockey team to see how non gay guys act. But he thinks their disgusting. At the end of the book steven finds out that one of the hockey players goes to the meeting and ask him to go out for coffe what he doesnt know is the boy is the nastiest jock their. Steven at the end knows hes gay and doesnt care who knows.
  

  5/22/2008 1:25:12 PM
• Angelica Lugo

  Absoluteltly positevly not... David Larochelle
  Angelica Lugo
  The issue in this book is that steven thinks hes gay but doesnt want to tell anyone.
  The main character is steven and he thinks he might be gay but hes not sure. This issue started when he had a handsome substitute come in and teach. He notices the way he dreesed etc. He deals with this by trying to buy a magazine with women in it to see if he likes it. But it doesnt work so later on in the story he talks to his friend rachel and she helps him go to a group for gay teens. The group helps him a come out.
  The time period is in school time and at school. The setting is in his classes mostly and at home with his friends and family members.
  The book absolutely positevly is about a boy who thinks he might be gay ever since he thought his substitute was handsome. So he trys to find ways to find out if hes gay buying magazines,asking his father questions,and telling his friend rachel. The boy trys to find out by dating almost 20 girls but he doesnt seem interested in any girls. He does think a classmate is cute but hes a guy. Later on steven tells his parents that hes gay but they dnt believe him until steven wants to go to a meeting for gay teens. Steven trys to sit with the hockey team to see how non gay guys act. But he thinks their disgusting. At the end of the book steven finds out that one of the hockey players goes to the meeting and ask him to go out for coffe what he doesnt know is the boy is the nastiest jock their. Steven at the end knows hes gay and doesnt care who knows.
  I would reccomend this book for any one its a funny book and talks about a problem some kids may be going through or have went through its a great book.SO if you ever come across this book check it out.

  5/22/2008 1:27:59 PM
• delvon Moneyham

  The name of my book was "that was then this is now." The is 4th seris out the authors book he wrote 8 books. This book is about two bestfriends that new easch other since preschool and the would never forget each other.The one friend which name was Mark who met this this girl that he realylike her name was Kasssy and she and Mark hung out all the time where maark and Bryon and his buddy caouldnt hang out any more. so one day Mark and Bryon said ther friendship is falling apart because of her so Mark said dont talk about her the got into a fight. Then they apoplgize to each other So when mark forgot to meet bryon at a store mark got beat up is the friendship still together. This remindes mre of the outsders another seris

  5/22/2008 3:49:22 PM
• Alex Gonzalez

  Ultra Cool Rides
  
  Alex Gonzalez
  
  No issues
  
  This book was about expensive valuable cars and other types of vehicles like SUVs, trucks and sedans. This book was about car's interiors and exteriors also it's speeds.
  
  I learned that different cars have different features like, speed, interior and exteriors. Some cars have plastic interiors, some have leather, vinyl, cloth etc.
  
  I recommend this book to people who enjoy cars in general. It shows and tells anything and everything about all types of cars.
  
  If you would like to learn about cars, this is a good and interesting book.

  5/22/2008 4:57:27 PM
• Martin Dzikowicki

  •Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park.
  •Martin Dzikowicki
  •The issue addressed in the book was that Phoebe's borhter Mick was illed in a bike acciedent.
  •Pheoebe just starts telling how Mick got killed in the bike accident, all that happened was the Mick's front tire hit a rock, and he slid into the back of a passing truck. She then tells how she remembers what heppened before the accident. Phoebe and Mick were fighting on the morning of the accident, because they have a morning scedule, that they switch rooms of kitchen and bathroom after 20 min. Mick took the cereal box from Phoebe and took the tattoo from the cereal box, even though she didnt want it, she just didnt want Mick to have it. After Mick died, she started breaking down and cryed alot. Near the end of the book, she started to get things that Mick got as presents for people to show in the gym for a bike safety assembly: a glow-in-the-dark bow tie with pink flamingos in it when we was in third grade. He never wore it becasue it said it made him look like a dork,and got a trout-shaped hat,and Mick said that it was beyond dork, and into the "doofus" category.He got the hat when he was ten, and when Phoebe show everyone those 2 objects, everyone cracked up. Phoebe took out a cardboard box, and opened it, when she showed, nobody luaghed, not even a smirk.
  •Phoebe dealt with her brother's death by remembering great memories that she and her brother had, most of them made her luagh while remembering it. she also tryed to deal with the death by talking to her best friend,Zoe, through the phone.
  •This story takes place during present time. The places that they were at was usually in their house, in school, or near a soccer field.
  •This book kind of reminds me of another book "Terrorist" by Caroline B. Cooney.Cooney also wrote "Code Orange" and "The Voice on The Radio"(which im reading now). In Terrorist, the main character(which was also a girl) has a brother who also died,Billy, but from a bomb. Billy,like Mick, were simalir in personality, they both made funny jokes and were about 11 years old. In Terrorist, the girl also had to deal with her brother's death, and she disrespected everyone, like what Phoebe did when she hung up on people.
  •Something surprising a learned from this book is that an inch of sytrofoam as a bike helmet would have made the difference between life and death.
  •I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a book in about 1 to 2 hours, and if they dont wear a bike helmet while riding their bike, or has an annoying younger sibling.
  
  ᝐ
  Martin Dzikowicki™©® ♂ lol

  5/23/2008 12:38:41 AM
• Joe Arzuaga

  Damage by A.M. Jenkins
  Joe Arzuaga
  The issue of this book is mainly based on extreme depression. Depression so deep that it forces thoughts of suicide into your head. This book is about a 17 year old named Austin and how he dealt with his depression.
  Austin is the football star of his team the Parksville Panthers, he plays the wide reciever position and this is his senior year. He's always played outstanding games and hardly ever droped any of the passes thrown at him. But now in his senior year Austin slowly starts to lose focus on what he's doing on the field, he's dropping catches that in the past he would've caught blidfolded and his new coach doesn't make it any easier on him either, his new football coach is a retired marine and takes football very seriously, so seriously that no matter if they won the game or not, the next practice after each game he would pick the player who he thought screwed up the most and play a nice little drill called Bull-in-a-ring and there's nothin nice about it.The object of the drill is to form a circle around the "bull" or in other words the guy who screwed up most the last game they had, then, wait for the coach to blow the wistle, then, if the coach points at you, you have to run at and tackle the "bull" into the ground as hard as you can and the drill keeps going like that untill the coach decides the "bull" has had enough. Austin's family doesn't help much either with his depression, if anything its the cause of it, Austin lives with his mother and younger sister Becky, his father died when Austin was three years old of esophagus cancer. Austin's not the only one suffering, his best friend Curtis is also going through hard times,he is an only child and his father ran away from him and his mother with another woman about five years before the time of the story, and Austin's girlfriend Heather's father shot himself also when Heather was only a little girl,these people however have just been able to handle these problems a lot better than Austin has these past few years. Heather doesn't like to talk about her father but Austin believes that he understands what her father was going thruogh when he decided to kill himself, that he was just tired of being ignored and treated like trash by his own family,like he was so fed up with life that he felt he needed to get away from it all once and for all, and he believed that killing himself was the only way to do so. Austin feels he knows this because sometimes he feels this way as well, like he's being drowned by problems every day with no way to escape them, and some times these problems get so out of control that he feels the temptation to kill himself, unfortunatly at the mention of these words, of these thoughts of suicide coming from her own boyfriend, Heather decides to break up with him.In the end, Austin is sitting at the front porch of Curtis's house, so far Heather has been the only one Austin has told about his thoughts of suicide but in the end he decides to open up to Curtis. When Austin explains everything to curtis, most people would respond by asking a question something along the lines of "Why?" "Why would you want to kill yourself Austin?" but Curtis being the type of person that he is, all he asks is "How?" not "Why?" but "How?"at the though of that one word Question, Austin almost laughed because he knew most people would've asked "Why?" not "How?" but he also knew that Curtis was to practical of a person to do that, Curtis always starts at the out side of a problem and works his way in like peeling an onion. So in the end, Austin is talking with his best friend Curtis just like old times talking about nothing in particular, feeling his way into the future that he hadn't been able to see.
  Austin is just your typical teenager living an average life but with many problems that go along with it, problems that eventually cause

  5/23/2008 12:50:03 AM
• CJ Hebenstriet

  Somewhere in The Darkness, Walter Dean Myers
  CJ Hebenstriet
  The issues this book adresses is that life is filled with difficult situations and that some times in life you have to make decisions that impact your life alot.
  In this book Jimmy comes home one day and his dad is there. (who he hasn't seen in about 9 years) So, He goes with his dad to Chicago but do somethings along the way and at the end something happens to Crab.(Jimmy's Dad)
  Jimmy is 14 skinny and not always the best student homework wise. in this book he deals with his problem by going with his dad and giving him a chance.
  In Somewhere in The Darkness the setting is, New York, NY but a few other cities in cludong Clevland, and Chicago. the time period is the present.
  I can connect to this book because i have had to make a very hard decision just like Jimmy i have to choose between living with my dad or my mom.
  In this book i learned that everyone deserves a second chance.
  I would recommend this book to people who are having difficulties with making tough decisions in their lives and also, to people who love to read realistic books.

  5/25/2008 8:40:40 PM
• La'Monique weathers

  Mick Harte was here by Barbara Park
  Lamonique Weathers
  Death and bicycle safety
  In this book Mick is a very funny young boy who is full of life and he asked his sister to take his bike home for him but she said she had soccer practice then phoebe got a call saying her brother Mick is dead. His bike hit a rock and he went head first into a truck he had no other injuries except a concussion and he would have lived if he had wore the helmet that his father brought him.
  Phoebe is the main character and she tells how at first she doesn’t feel any pain at first but then it dawns on her that Mick isn’t coming back.
  This book takes place in a modern day time, at a memorial for Mick and mostly Phoebe’s house
  I thought this book was very interesting and I feel that it deserves 4 out of 5 stars
  I learned that not all people grieve in the same way and some might start grieving 6 months after something happened
  I would recommend this book to and body who likes to read and to people who think that they don’t have to wear helmets.
  
  
  

  5/28/2008 12:40:21 PM