Wonder

Title: Wonder
Author: R. J. Palacio
Hannah's Rating: 4 and 1/2 Stars
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 8-12
Grade Level: 3-7
Pages: 320

Summary: "August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance."

My Review: This was Battle of the Books Books (or as every call them, B.O.B. books), and I enjoyed reading it. It switches to many points of view, but it's engaging and heartwarming. If you read it, make sure to read the Julian Chapter.

I recommend this book for girls and boys ages 9 and up. It's a good book, but it took me a while to get into and through.

Ever

Title: Ever

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Hannah's Rating: 4 and 1/2 Stars

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 8-12

Grade Level: 3-7

Pages: 288

Summary: Falling in love is easy for Kezi, a beautiful mortal, dancer, and rug weaver, and for Olus, Akkan god of the winds. Their love brings Kezi the strength to fight her fate, and it gives Olus the strength to confront his fears. Together—and apart—they encounter spiders with webs of iron, the cruel lord of the land of the dead, the mysterious god of destiny, and the tests of the Akkan gods. If they succeed, they will be together; but if they fail, Olus will have to endure the ultimate loss, and Kezi will have to make the supreme sacrifice.

My review: I think that it is a very interesting book. When I read it over the summer, i read straight for 3 hours and nearly finished it. 

I recommend this book for girls and boys (but mostly girls) who enjoy fantasy. 

Ella Enchanted

Title: Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Hannah's Rating: 5 Stars

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 8-12

Grade Level: 3-7

Pages: 240

Summary: "How can a fairy's blessing be such a curse? At her birth, Ella of Frell was given a foolish fairy's gift—the "gift" of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. She goes on a quest, encountering ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, fairy godmothers, and handsome princes, determined to break the curse—and live happily ever after."

My review: This book is much like Cinderella with some twists. Not at all like the movie!!! The book is way better!

I recommend this book for girls and boys (though boys might not want to read it) who are ages 8-11, or grades 3-6. 

Fairest

Title: Fairest

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Hannah's Rating: 4 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 8-12

Grade Level: 3-7

Pages: 352

Summary: Aza's singing is the fairest in all the land, and the most unusual. She can "throw" her voice so it seems to come from anywhere. But singing is only one of the two qualities prized in the Kingdom of Ayortha. Aza doesn't possess the other: beauty. Not even close. She's hidden in the shadows in her parents' inn, but when she becomes lady-in-waiting to the new queen, she has to step into the light—especially when the queen demands a dangerous favor. A magic mirror, a charming prince, a jealous queen, palace intrigue, and an injured king twine into a maze that Aza must penetrate to save herself and her beloved kingdom.

My review: This book is not as good as ella enchanted in my opinion, but still pretty good. Like Ella Enchanted, it's based of a fairy tale. 

I recommend this book for girls at least older than 9 and who likes fairy tales with twists.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Title: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Author: Chris Grabenstein

Hannah's Rating: 4 and 1/2 stars

Genre: Fiction

Age Level: 8-12

Grade Level: 3-7

Pages: 320

Summary: "Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games—board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the construction of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for an overnight sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello and riddled with lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!"

My review: I read this for Battle of the Books and think it's a great read. Super fun and easy going, and it's like the kids are in a game show. 

I recommend this book for any boy or girl who likes adventure and a story that you can't put down.

A Little Princess (Adapted)

Title: A Little Princess (Junior Classics for Young Readers)
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Hannah's Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Realistic Fiction


Age Level: 8 and up
Grade Level: 3 and up
Pages: 178

Summary: "Sara Crewe looks like a little princess - that's what her schoolmates say when Sara's rich father brings her to Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for girls.  Yet when Sara's fortunes vanish and she must live as a servant in a cold attic room, she proves that being a real princess takes heart, hope, and perhaps a little Magic."

Hannah's Review: I like this book because it's magical.  My favorite part of the book was when her dad came back from the war.  She was so happy.

I would recommend this book to any girl who likes an old-fashioned story.  I will review The Secret Garden once I read it.

about the author: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett (24 November 1849 – 29 October 1924) was an English playwright and author. She is best known for her children's stories, in particular The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and Little Lord Fauntleroy.

When her father died, the family was forced to sell their home and move to Salford, England. When she was sixteen, the family emigrated to Knoxville, Tennessee.

In 1872 she married Swan Burnett. They lived in Paris for two years, where their two sons were born, before returning to the United States to live in Washington D.C. When her oldest son died of Tuberculosis, she was very sad.  She divorced her husband and remarried, but it only lasted a year.  She died in New York at age 74.

We have a few things in common.  My little sister's name is Eliza.  I used to live in Tennessee.  And Frances died on my birthday, October 29.  I do wish Frances would have made different choices so she could have had a happier life.  I was sad to hear about the sad parts of her life.