Holes by Louis Sachar

This story is about a young man who gets in trouble a lot. But one time he gets in the most trouble he has ever gotten in. He got in so much trouble that he had to go to a camp. Along the way he met new friends. They were treated horribly with barely any water, food, or hot shower water. That is when he found the paradise of the place.

I think it is a great book and I would recommend it to others.

3 stars

by Bennett L., 4th grade

Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun by Rhoda Blumberg

In 1853 Japanese people barely knew about America. The people wanted to open up their harbors to American ships. The panic of "The Black Ships of Evil-men" spread through the town.

I think it was an okay book.

2 stars

by Bennett L., 4th grade

The Cat who went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth

This book is about a cat who went to a poor Japanese man and changes his life. The man is an artist and loves to make things. The cat stays by him the whole time.

I think it might be the best book that I've read.

4 stars

by Bennett L., 4th grade

Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

"Show Way" is about a time line that goes through some slaves' lives. Sewing quilts was in their family. They called the quilts "Show Ways". Every member of their family has done something in the arts of sewing or writing. The book comes up until it reaches the author, Jacqueline Woodson.

I think it was a great book because of the words they use.

4 stars

by Bennett L., 4th grade

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

Fern is a girl that lives on the farm. At night one of their pigs has babies. But there is one runt in the litter. Her dad was going to kill it but Fern stopped him. She named the pig Wilbur. Wilbur had a lot of fun but life got tough. Charlotte is a spider that helped him along the way.

I thought it was awesome.

3 stars

by Bennett L., 4th grade

Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O'Dell

compliments of david.nikonvscanon's photostream

1961 Newbery Medal

Amazon.com Review
Scott O'Dell won the Newbery Medal for Island of the Blue Dolphins in 1961, and in 1976 the Children's Literature Association named this riveting story one of the 10 best American children's books of the past 200 years.

Comments by Maddy C., K. W., Logan B., Emily S., Megan E., Kalley L., Emily U., Bayleigh B., Kaitlyn W., Josh B., Tadd W., Laney T., Justin L., Alexis S., Codie S., Jacob C., Claire E., Tevin W., Caroline C., Sidney W., Jamie T., Kaden C., Nick L., Josh S., Rylie R., Ryan W., Lauren K., Kaitlyn S., Olivia T., Madi A., John Austin S., Grace F., Hannah S., Caroline C., Akiko T., Connor R., Kyle C., Travis B., Michaela R., Parker K., Alex A., Travis O., Victoria M., Maia B., Sam C., Caitlyn W., Sean G., Meridith C., Sarah S., Ben A., Angela J., Zimri R., Abigail W., Kyle S., 5th grade class of Ms. Lacson

Picture of Hollis Woods by Patricia Giff

Newbery Honor

Hollis Woods is an orphan who runs away from all her foster homes. Finally, Josie, an elderly artist takes her in and Hollis Woods thinks she might stay for awhile. Will Hollis stay with her? Well, to find out you will have to read it!

It was a very good book about family.

4 stars

by Akiko T., 5th grade

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Schlitz

It's talking about people in a medieval village. People from the village are telling a story of their life. Also in the end, there is a bibliography to read.

I loved the book

4 stars

by Jordan S., 3rd grade

Sugaring Time by Kathryn Lasky

"Sugaring Time" is about sugaring. It tells us how to sugar. Also it tells how they use sap to make syrup.

I love the book. If I could I would give it a five star rating.

by Jordan S., 3rd grade

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

A mouse born with his eye's open! This mouse breaks rules by talking to a human and letting a human touch him. He is sent to the dungeon and starts a new life. You'll have to read it to find out more.

Very good; 4 stars

by Robert L., 5th grade
and
Bennett L., 4th grade

Hatchet by Gary Paulson

Newbery Honor

A boy's plane crashes on his way to his dad's. He is stuck on an island. Will he survive?

It was good but not my favorite.

3 stars

by Amanda T., 6th grade

Afternoon of the Elves by Janet Taylor Lisle

Hilary lives by Sarah Kate. They have found a Elf Village in her back yard. One day Hilary goes into Sarah's house and heard elves. It turns into a big disaster and in the end Hilary seems to disappear.

It was ok. 2 stars

by Claire E., 5th grade

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh

One day a boy went over Hemlock Mountain to get an iron pot. When he got to his Aunt's house he ate cookies, he drank milk, and took a nap. Then when he was on his way home there were bears. He got under the iron pot and hid. Then he heard a crunch. It was his dad and they went home.

I could picture it in my head and that it was tempting to read.

4 stars

by Sarah S., 3rd grade

Dr. De Soto by William Steig

There is a mouse that is a dentist and his assistant is his wife. One day they looked out the window and saw a fox. He had a bandage around his jaw and was in really bad pain because of his tooth.

This book was funny. Wondering what would happen next, and they should write another one.

4 stars

by Sara S., 3rd grade
Comment(s) by Bennett L., 4th grade

Dr. De Soto by William Steig

The doctor is a dentist. He treated all the animals that are kind. Like cows, cats, and pigs. There was a fox that begged to get in.

I loved the book.

by Jordan S., 3rd grade

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag

One day an old woman wanted a kitten. The old man went out to try to find a kitten. Every time he picked a kitten he saw another very beautiful kitten. Then they all came with him to his house and they started to fight. Then there was one more kitten left and the very old woman kept it.

I think they should make a movie of it and write more books like this one.

3 stars

by Sara S., 3rd grade
Comment(s) by Bennett L., 4th grade

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Newbery Medal

A boy named Jess is the fastest kid in the fifth grade. Then something happend. A girl beat him in a race. It turns out that girl is his neighbor They start to hang out and then they find a stream with a rope over it. They swing across it and find a tree house. They call it Terabithia and then the girl dies. When she was swinging across the rope broke. Jesse builds a bride across it and brings his little sister there and shows her things.

It's a good book but not great. It ended sad.

3 stars

by Travis O., 5th grade

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

It is about a boy's dad's childhood. His dad counted to get an airplane and instead he found an alley cat and he showed the the dad more than an airplane. If you think this summary is good, get the book.

I thought it was pretty good.

3 stars

by Heather Q., 4th grade

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

"Dear Mr. Henshaw" is a book of a boy named Leigh Botts who writes to a famous author. Leigh doesn't know that he is very very bratty. In his letters he talks about his dad and a dog a lot which they both don't live with Leigh anymore. Leigh lives with his mom. If this sounds like a good book, GET IT!

I thought it was really good.

4 stars

by Heather Q., 4th grade
Comment(s) by Bennett L., 4th grade

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

1957 Newbery Honor Book

Old Yeller is a yellow lab stray. At first the older boy doesn't like him but then they go through a bunch of adventures. When he (Old Yeller) turns rabid then Travis has to decide what to do.

My favorite book ever. I love it so much.

4 stars

by Kyle C., 5th grade

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Opal was in a grocery store called Winn-Dixie and she found a dog. She named it Winn-Dixie. They had many adventures and lots of fun!

I thought it was wonderful and very nice.

4 stars

by Claire E., 5th grade

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Winn Dixie is found running around in a grocery store. The little girl came in and said it was her dog. And it wasn't. She took Winn Dixie home and told the preacher that she found a dog. She asked him if they could keep. it.

It was cute and funny. And the movie was funny, too.

4 stars

by Sarah S., 3rd grade