Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park

This year some of our fourth graders wrote book reviews for their classmates. We are pleased to say we will be featuring these reviews throughout the summer.

My book is Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park. This is book 9 in the 39 Clues series. The man in black that has been following Amy and Dan will soon be revealed. But who is it? In this book my favorite quote was "The man in black. Who was dressed in all gray now. Amy stood paralyzed. She saw that he was holding a familiar canvas-wrapped parcel. The box." I like this quote because it is a cliff hanger. My recommendation: this book is excellent. Why do I think this is an excellent choice - the book takes you on many adventures.

reviewed by McKenna

Nighty-Nightmare by James Howe

This year some of our fourth graders wrote book reviews for their classmates. We are pleased to say we will be featuring these reviews throughout the summer.

The book I am reviewing is Nighty-Nightmare by James Howe. The book is fantasy because there are no talking animals in real life. The story is about the Monroes and their three pets, Chester the cat, Harold the dog, and Howie the dachshund. They decide to go on an overnight camping trip in the woods. When they start setting up they see smoke in the air, so they walk over to where the smoke is coming from. It turns out it is a campfire with two people and a dog. Their names are Bud and Spud. The dog's name is Dawg, D. A. W. G. Chester, Harold, and Howie get lost in the woods with a creepy dog and a scary trail of blood! They think that the Monroes were captured by Bud and Spud and they are in trouble. Can they save them? My favorite quotable quote from this really good book is, "a doggie-bone softened in warm milk". I like this quote because it made me want milk and cookies. My recommendation: this book is excellent because this book can by creepy. An example is when they find a big creepy house that looks like a spooky mansion.

Reviewed by Ethan

The Dark by Lemony Snicket; illustrated by Jon Klassen

What is The Dark? Why are we all afraid of The Dark? Lemony Snicket explores the world of The Dark through the eyes of a young boy. Laszlo knows The Dark is out there. He is afraid of The Dark just like most of us. The Dark can hide in closets, it is sometimes behind shower curtains but it spends most of its time in the basement. The Dark even spreads out at night and it is all over the place. Laszlo sleeps with a night light on, and a flashlight under his pillow. On night The Dark comes to visit Laszlo. It talks to Laszlo, it tells him to come visit. Laszlo goes to all the usual places, but The Dark is not there, so Laszlo goes in the basement. Is he scared? What does he find? 

Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School: We the Children by Andrew Clements

One of our favorite authors is back, this time with a new mystery series. Andrew Clements is well known for his realistic fiction books. Now Clements ventures into the world of mystery stories. Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School: We the Children starts off with Benjamin Pratt running to class because he is late. He hates being late, but some days it just happens. Ben finds the school custodian sitting on a bench, looking very ill. When Ben stops to help the old man slips an old coin into his hand and tells him to “trust no one”, especially the new substitute custodian! When Ben looks at the coin he sees writing - “‘If attacked, look nor’-nor’east from amidships on the upper deck.’” He turned the coin over. “‘First and always, my school belongs to the children. DEFEND IT. Duncan Oakes, 1783.’” Ben’s historic school is set to be demolished for a nautical amusement park. While this sounds like a fun idea, Ben knows from the coin and other stories, that the sea captain, Duncan Oakes, left the school to the children, they are the Keepers of the School. Ben and his friend Jill must follow the clues to stop the demolition. Will they succeed? We will have to wait for the next book in the series )due out in January 2011) to have many of our questions answered, but this is a great beginning to the new series – Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School.

39 Clues - Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

Want a new mystery series? Check out Scholastic's new 39 Clues. There are 7 books in the series so far, book 8 is due out April 6, 2010. Each book is written by a different children's author, each author continues the mystery with the same characters and 39 clues as book one. The reader can play along with the characters by using the clue cards that come with the books or find them at the website linked above. Join Amy and Dan and their Cahill relatives as they go on a mysterious search set up by Grace Cahill - Amy and Dan's grandmother. The story begins with Grace's funeral. Her lawyer offers the family members one million dollars or the first of 39 clues to her fortune. Follow the family on their world wide journey.

Invitation to Hilton's 3rd and 4th graders. Join Mrs. Moyer (Hilton's principal) and Mrs. Adams (Hilton's librarian) Tuesday, February 16th from 6:30-7:30 in the Hilton library to begin the journey.

The books:
Book 1: The 39 Clues: Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
Book 2: The 39 Clues: One False Note by Gordon Korman
Book 3: The 39 Clues: The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis
Book 4: The 39 Clues: Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson
Book 5: The 39 Clues: The Black Circle by Patrick Carman
Book 6: The 39 Clues: In Too Deep by Jude Watson
Book 7: The 39 Clues: The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis
Book 8: The 39 Clues: The Emperor's Code by Gordon Korman
Release Date : April 6th, 2010
Book 9: The 39 Clues: "title unknown" by Linda Sue Park
Release Date : June 8th, 2010
Book 10: The 39 Clues: "title unknown" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Release Date : September 1st, 2010

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Chasing Vermeer is the starter book for a new series of mystery books. In book one we meet our investigators - eleven year olds, Petra and Calder. Who is Vermeer? Vermeer was a painter in the 17th century. When one of his paintings turns up missing on its way to the museum in Chicago, Petra and Calder team up to solve the mystery of what happened to the painting. There are several notes that turn up suggesting that the person who has the painting just wants the truth to be told - "did Vermeer truly paint all the paintings that he gets credit for?". Their sixth grade teacher, Ms. Hussey, gets the class involved in what may have happened to the painting and if Vermeer is truly the creator of all the paintings. Petra and Calder are not so sure she is telling the class everything. What does she know about where the painting may be hidden? Love mysteries? Pick up Chasing Vermeer, book two The Wright 3 or the newest book The Calder Game. You will not be able to put the books down!

Visit the Scholatic web site full of activities
Blue Balliett's biography

Spy X : Hide and Seek by Peter Lerangis

Their mom disappeared a year ago – on their birthday. They wonder if she might be a spy. Their father also has to move often for his secretive work. Twins Andrew and Evie worry about their mom often as they struggle to unlock the coded packages she sends to them. Now father is moving them to San Francisco and they fear their mother will never find them again. The Spy X series of mystery adventure books will leave you on the edge of your seat as you are moved along from one cryptic message to another. You can trust no one in this exciting story!