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Chocolate Fever

Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Adam really liked this book. It was short and fun. Adam claims he doesn't like to read and he is a tough critic. If a book doesn't catch him immediately he won't read it, but this one passed his test. Any kid who loves chocolate will be able to relate to the main character who wants to eat chocolate for all meals and snacks, until he comes down with a case of chocolate spots. The ending has a bit of a Charlie and Chocolate Factory feel to it. A great choice for 7-10 year old boy or girl who is reluctant to read.



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Inside Out and Back Again

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this book! As soon as I finished it I started reading it again. Lai uses her own experiences in Vietnam during the war and her new life in the U.S. as the basis for this book. The picture of Vietnam that I carry is of forest and explosions and children running down streets screaming. This book shows the side of Saigon that is everyday life-going to the market, spending time gardening and with family but it doesn't gloss over the sound of the bombing or the hunger. When the family arrives in the U.S. after escaping on a cramped military ship, they face discrimation and adjustment that takes time to face and heal.



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Hidden by Helen Frost

Hidden by Helen Frost

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


There are so many things that I like about this book especially the characters and their friendshipss. It is written in prose, which I always enjoy, but the author has added a second dimension to it. There is an explanation in the back of the book about how to read this book to get the entire story of the characters. The kidnapping is written from the pov of the kidnapped child, Wren, but the second half of the book is written from her pov and the child of the kidnapper, Darra. The additional story line is incorporated in the "long" lines of prose from Darra's pov. It is fun to read and add this additional bit of information to the overall story.

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Paper Towns

Paper Towns by John Green




Margo Roth Spiegelman you are making me crazy. I liked the characters and their friendships, even the teen boy with the raging hormones who somehow got the cute girl. I didn't enjoy Q's obsession with Margo-maybe love cannot be explained, but come on...



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Okay for Now

http://jennifer-storytimelady.blogspot.com/Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved everything about this book. He is able to make lemonade out of a lot of very sour lemons. He has to fight against his jaded view of the world, because his dad is a jerk, to realize there are some really great people looking out for him.



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